The conflict Russo-Ukrainiatriggered in February 2022, has its roots in long-standing geopolitical tensions between the two countries. The contestation of the merger of l’Ukraine with the West through Russiaterritorial claims over Crimea and Donbass, as well as disagreements over the autonomy of pro-Russian separatist regions have led to a major military escalation. This war gradually involved other regional actors, notably the Chechnya of Ramzan Kadyrovfaithful ally of Vladimir Poutine.
An unprecedented attack on Chechen soil
The town of Gudermes in Chechnya was the target of a drone strike on October 29, marking a new stage in the conflict. This attack, unprecedented on Chechen territory since the start of the war, targeted a strategic building. If Kiev denies any involvement in this operation, the Kyiv Independent suggests that the drones come from the neighboring republics of Dagestan or from Ingushetiaregions with which Kadyrov maintains tense relationships.
Statements with serious consequences
The Chechen leader reacted to this attack with statements on his channel Telegram. He claims to have used Ukrainian prisoners of war as human shields, specifying that up to ten Ukrainian detainees would be placed in each strategic installation of the Republic, including at the Russian Special Forces University. These allegations come as the Convention of Geneva formally prohibits this practice.
The international dimension of the conflict
The Gudermes incident reveals the regional ramifications of the Ukrainian conflict. The tensions between the Chechnya and its neighboring republics in the North Caucasus add to the complexity of the situation. There Convention of Genevapillar of international humanitarian law, strictly regulates the treatment of prisoners of war. In particular, it defines the rules for protecting detainees and prohibits their use as human shields. Kadyrov’s recent statements on Telegramconcerning the presence of Ukrainian prisoners in strategic Chechen installations, underline the tangle of military and humanitarian issues in this region of the Caucasus.
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