Abdul-Hakim Shishani: Many within the FSB are dissatisfied with Kadyrov and are anticipating Putin's departure.

Abdul-Khakim Shishani, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, speaks in an interview with RBC-Ukraine about his combat experience in the Russian-Ukrainian war, the similarities and differences between the wars in Chechnya, Syria, and Ukraine, the weakening of Russia's position in the Middle East, the relationship between Putin and Kadyrov, and why a frozen conflict is not beneficial for Ukraine.

Abdul-Khakim Shishani is a figure whose name resonates far beyond Chechnya. He has participated in the Russian-Chechen war and commanded the Central Front of the Ichkerian army. After being forced into exile, he continued his mission by leading a Chechen group in Syria. Now, Abdul-Khakim serves as the commander of the Armed Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, participating in the Russian-Ukrainian war on the side of Ukraine.

In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, he shares his thoughts on how the wars in Chechnya, Syria, and Ukraine are interconnected. "In Chechnya, Georgia, Syria, Ukraine – where haven’t they been? They were killing in Afghanistan, they are in Libya, in Africa," says the military, highlighting Russia's aggressive policies.

Abdul-Khakim pays special attention to the resilience of the Ukrainian people: "To say that Ukraine will not withstand or will not win is simply laughable to me." He believes that Ukraine's struggle for freedom is just a part of a larger process that could ultimately change the entire geopolitical landscape of the region.

Below is the key part of the conversation; you can watch the full interview on the YouTube channel of RBC-Ukraine.

On military experience in the Russian-Ukrainian war

What matters is not how I ended up here, but that I am here fighting against a common enemy. I have participated in operations in Bakhmut, Toretsk, Kharkiv, and even in the Belgorod region. We do not boast about our achievements.

The spirit of the Ukrainian servicemen is impressive. Their level of training is growing every year, while their resilience remains unchanged. For three years, we have witnessed the steadfastness and spirit of the Ukrainian people.

Why Russians are able to advance on the front

Their tactics have not changed since World War II – "meat assaults," where they throw a large number of soldiers into battle without accountability or preparation. As long as Russia has a population of 140 million, they will act this way. But I am confident that Ukraine will reclaim its territories. If the global community continues to support, it’s just a matter of time.

Crimea or Donbas? I see no difference. If we are given everything necessary, planes, long-range systems, everything we need, all territories will be returned – both Crimea and Donbas, and Kherson. For Ukraine, this way the war will end, but for us (Chechens – ed.) it will not, until we reclaim our territories.

What distinguishes the war in Ukraine from the wars in Chechnya and Syria

In Chechnya, there was a guerrilla war, in Syria – sabotage operations. Ukraine is facing a full-scale war. The differences also lie in the political aspect: Ukraine has international support, which Chechnya lacked in the 1990s. This gives Ukraine a significant advantage.

Why did Putin succeed in Chechnya?

They learned lessons from the First Chechen War: they prepared collaborators like the Kadyrovites, used torture, intimidation, and kidnapped the relatives of fighters. Many were forced to switch sides, which caused significant damage to our resistance. Such a scenario does not exist in Ukraine.

On the war in Syria and its impact on Russia's position

Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah supported Assad's regime, which resulted in a divided and weakened opposition. However, the war in Ukraine has severely impacted Russia's resources, and to this day the opposition in Syria has acted as a united front, helping to change the balance of power in the Middle East. Russia's position there has noticeably weakened. Geopolitically, losing the Middle East strikes at Russia's authority and image. Additionally, it is a blow to Iran – it has been decapitated.

In Syria, with the help of allies and neighbors, everything will work out. It can be said that Turkey has united groups that previously conflicted with each other, and now they will receive economic and military assistance. Syrians will return home. Those I know are not capricious; they are very simple. They will return because they do not need much. And they will rebuild the country if there are investments.

On the brutality and war crimes of the Russians

The atrocities that the Russians are committing in Ukraine, we have seen in Chechnya: the killing of civilians, bombings of schools and hospitals, hundreds of mass graves where people were killed and buried. Back then, there were simply no phones or media; we were isolated. Therefore, much went unrecorded. But I believe that out of a million population in Chechnya, a third were killed.

History shows that this is in their blood. Without blood, without sacrifices, without killings, they cannot operate. They enjoy it; it is evident. It is in their nature. They cannot act otherwise. The only way to stop this is through the collapse of Russia. If Russia collapses, this will end. If not, we will see the same scenarios. Chechnya, Georgia, Syria, Ukraine. Where haven’t they been? Afghanistan, Libya, Africa. Wherever they are, there are crimes, killings, violence.

The future of Chechnya and the Caucasus after the collapse of Russia

History shows that the collapse of Russia may begin in the Caucasus. Today, Kadyrov himself says that we must prepare for war, prepare weapons. He understands that if the war in Ukraine ends or a freeze in the conflict occurs, all the negativity and anger of the people will turn against him. Therefore, he is already taking steps for his protection. For example, he is amnestying those who were in Syria and telling their relatives that they can return home, that they have no claims against them. This is a clear signal: Kadyrov understands that changes are coming and is trying to ease the pressure. But it is evident that all this negativity will sooner or later hit him. Chechens are tired of repression, torture, and killings. The people are ready to fight for freedom. If Russia collapses, the support of the global community will help Ichkeria and other regions gain independence.

On Kadyrov's role and his troops in the Russian-Ukrainian war

Kadyrovites are Putin's personal guard, helping him control Chechnya. They are connected by common crimes: the murder of political opponents, human rights activists, and journalists. Putin has given Kadyrov a free hand in Russia, which is why he maintains his power.

As long as Putin is alive, Kadyrov will be too. But as soon as Putin is gone, Kadyrov will also be gone. He will not be able to negotiate with a new leader, especially if it is a FSB appointee. Many in the FSB are dissatisfied with Kadyrov and are waiting for Putin to leave to address this issue.

On the guerrilla movement and public sentiments in the North Caucasus

The guerrilla movement has always existed, and we are trying to make it more organized and large-scale. The people are tired of repression and are ready to do anything. The war in Ukraine has only heightened the tension: those who disagree with Kadyrov's regime are sent to the front, where they perish. Kadyrov uses this as a way to get rid of the discontented.

90% of Chechens do not want this war; it is unnecessary for them. If Kadyrov and his close associates truly believed in their "holy war," they would have gone to the front themselves. But they are not there. They are hiding in Kursk, Belgorod region. They were under Kyiv but could not accomplish anything. They are a propaganda tool, not a real force.

On the recent drone attacks in Chechnya and the reaction of ordinary Chechens

This greatly impacts Kadyrov's authority. The people of Chechnya rejoice at every strike against regime targets. Kadyrov and his close associates mock their own people: killing, torturing, seizing property. People do not see them as their defenders; they see them as enemies.

But Kadyrov cannot be overthrown solely by airstrikes. In any case, we will have to return to Chechnya. No one will simply hand over this territory. If Russia collapses, the Chechen people themselves will overthrow Kadyrov. Without Russia's support, his