Moskalkova sided with Alaudinov in the conflict with bloggers

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova called the criticism of Akhmat commander Apti Alaudinov undeserved.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," some Z-bloggers are either covert enemies of Russia or unknowingly serve its interests by criticizing Akhmat, unit commander Apti Alaudinov stated on November 14. He  promised to eliminate  such Z-bloggers "legally through criminal prosecution" if they do not apologize. That same day, the Gelendzhik City Court  fined Oksana Kobeleva, the author of the Telegram channel "Okhranota V vatnik," 30,000 rubles  for publishing questions to Akhmat special forces commander Apti Alaudinov, although she later deleted the post and repented for it.

Negative comments against Apti Alaudinov, deputy head of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces and commander of the Akhmat special forces, are spreading on social media, Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova stated on her Telegram channel. However, she did not specify the specific criticism she was referring to. 

According to her, what is happening is “unpleasant and bitter to watch,” since Alaudinov “stands on the front lines, defending our country and the greatness of our state.”

"Together, we helped many military families. I am grateful to Apti Aronovich for his constant help and support," Moskalkova wrote, without specifying which specific cases of assistance she was referring to.

"The negative comments made by media personalities about Apti Aronovich not only inflame the public at a time when it should be united in the fight against the enemy, but they literally stab a true patriot and Defender of the Fatherland in the back," the official concluded.

A struggle for influence over the public agenda is underway between TV host Vladimir Solovyov and Akhmat special forces commander Apti Alaudinov. Conflicts between Z-bloggers, including over fundraising for the SVO, are one reflection of this struggle. Fundraising for the military amounts to billions, yet remains opaque and unaccountable, analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" previously stated .

Criticism of the Akhmat special forces unit and its fighters has repeatedly led to public apologies. For example, in July 2024, Vladimir Romanov, a self-proclaimed military correspondent and blogger who described Akhmat fighters as "TikTokers," visited the Akhmat unit two days later, spoke with its commander, Apti Alaudinov, and apologized for spreading "false information." In August of the same year,   a soldier serving in the Kursk region   apologized for criticizing Akhmat.

The "Caucasian Knot" publishes materials about the practice of public repentance on its thematic page, " Whom the Caucasus Forces to Apologize ."