Putin Inspects Chechen Troops as Russia Faces Ukraine Incursion

Vladimir Putin, alongside Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, inspected Chechen troops and volunteers preparing to combat Ukrainian forces. During his visit, Putin highlighted the bravery of these troops. The unannounced trip marks Putin's first visit to the North Caucasus in 13 years, amidst ongoing conflicts with Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov inspected Chechen troops and volunteers on Tuesday as they prepared to fight Ukraine, the Kremlin reported. This trip marks Putin's first trip to the North Caucasus republic in 13 years.

The unannounced visit to the predominantly Muslim republic comes as Moscow intensifies efforts to repel Ukrainian forces from its Kursk region, following the largest invasion in Russian territory since World War Two. Speaking to the troops at the Russian Special Forces University in Gudermes, Chechnya, Putin asserted, "As long as we have men like you, we are absolutely, absolutely invincible."

In a separate meeting, Kadyrov, sanctioned for alleged human rights abuses and mobilizing Chechen troops to fight Ukraine, claimed Chechnya had sent over 47,000 troops to Ukraine since the war began, including 19,000 volunteers. Putin, who also visited Beslan, North Ossetia, stated the 2004 school siege remains an unhealed wound for Russia but emphasized continued efforts against enemies destabilizing the country.

(With inputs from agencies.)