Kadyrov's threats to soldiers' mothers indicate his fear of protests

Kadyrov's treatment of mobilization opponents as people's enemies stems from his fear of mass protests organized by conscripts' mothers, Svetlana Gannushkina has noted. Chechen authorities are afraid of mass protests and severely suppress any public expression of disagreement, Ruslan Kutaev has added.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 20, a woman's call to mothers was spread in Chechnya inviting them to gather for a rally against sending their sons to Ukraine. In Grozny, law enforcers stopped the rally, and the women who were going thereto from the Shali District were detained on the way. Kadyrov has claimed that "15-20 women came out to the rally" in Grozny. He has treated the mobilization opponents as people's enemies.

Svetlana Gannushkina, the chair of the "Civic Assistance"Committee*, has stressed that if in Chechnya even 10 women took part in a rally against mobilization, then this is already a "mass protest." "Women in Chechnya have always been an active part of the society. They stood up for their men even during the [Chechen campaigns]," she said.

According to her story, Kadyrov is aware that if there is a strong mothers' movement, he will not be able to cope with it.

Ruslan Kutaev, the head of the Assembly of Caucasian nations, has stated that if the military operation drags on, then discontent will grow, including among those who will be sent to Ukraine.

"They used to send people who serve in Kadyrov's structures there. They and their relatives were intimidated. But now, when they start sending people who have nothing to do with Kadyrov's structures, protest moods may appear," Mr Kutaev has suggested.

According to his version, by announcing the mobilization, Putin has opened the "Pandora's box". "Chechens are notable for the fact that they can only hold back up to a certain limit," he has concluded.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 22, 2022 at 04:44 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.