Chechen leader meets Russia's Putin, offers more troops for Ukraine

chechen leader meets russia's putin, offers more troops for ukraine

FILE PHOTO: Head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov speaks to journalists after a ceremony inaugurating Vladimir Putin as President of Russia at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia May 7, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Pool/File Photo

(Reuters) - The leader of Russia's Chechnya region, Ramzan Kadyrov, said early on Thursday he had met President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin and offered to send more fighters to help Moscow in its more than two-year-old conflict in Ukraine.

Kadyrov, who has led his South Caucasus region as a Kremlin loyalist since 2007, posted a photo of himself with Putin and said he had discussed the region's economic problems and prospects and invited the president to visit.

He said tens of thousands of "well trained and equipped fighters from the reserves" were prepared to fight for Russia in Ukraine if such an order were given.

A total of 43,500 troops had already served in Ukraine, including 18,000 volunteers, he said.

"I also transmitted the wishes of our people and invited our national leader to come visit the Chechen Republic," Kadyrov wrote.

Kadyrov has repeatedly denied reports that he is unwell and posted pictures of himself exercising and conducting meetings.

Chechen separatists fought two wars against the Russian military after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, resulting in heavy destruction and casualties.

Putin has given Kadyrov wide leeway to run the mainly Muslim region as he chooses in return for keeping it stable and loyal.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)

OTHER NEWS

3 hrs ago

Korean Air flight drops 26,900 feet in 15 minutes, 13 hospitalized

3 hrs ago

Chinese military uniforms in Pogo raid appear to be ‘souvenirs’ – CIDG chief

4 hrs ago

Can-Am's Weird-Looking EV Car Isn't a UTV, But Maybe It Is

4 hrs ago

Macron pledges 'change' as French far right eyes parliament rout

4 hrs ago

Jeff Cheng steps away as Filipinas manager citing indifference

4 hrs ago

Big-time oil price hike effective June 25 | INQToday

4 hrs ago

Taylor Swift Brings Out Paramore’s Hayley Williams for Surprise Duet at Second Eras Tour Show in London

4 hrs ago

When does NBA free agency start in 2024? Key dates, latest news & rumors for top available players

4 hrs ago

A Braves-Tigers trade for Atlanta to literally own the AL Cy Young frontrunner

4 hrs ago

Second straight big-time pump price hike set Tuesday

4 hrs ago

Russian saboteurs burned down a Berlin factory to hit weapons supplies to Ukraine. Just one problem — the facility made car parts.

4 hrs ago

F2 Spain: Crawford takes commanding win, Correa charges back to podium

4 hrs ago

Who is Alexandre Sarr? Meet the potential No. 1 pick in 2024 NBA Draft

4 hrs ago

China wants EU to scrap EV tariffs on EVs by July 4, Chinese state media reports

4 hrs ago

New Caledonia Indigenous independence leader transferred to mainland France for pretrial detention

4 hrs ago

Moody’s: At 5% growth for 2024, PH still an underachiever

4 hrs ago

DICT to ask Marcos to provide more support for digital infrastructure

4 hrs ago

BEST pockets 38 golds, 4 MOS awards in PAI swimfest

4 hrs ago

Navy says PH won't fire first bullet against China Coast Guard | INQToday

4 hrs ago

Dylan Dreiling and Cal Stark keep Tennessee alive in Omaha

4 hrs ago

Alyssa Valdez gets fangirl moment with Christenson, Ishikawa

5 hrs ago

Huge Saudi construction projects 'might get scaled down'

5 hrs ago

New CAVITEX C5 Link Sucat Interchange Slashes Travel Time to 5 Minutes

5 hrs ago

Pirates bullpen left scrambling after losing All-Star closer to oblique strain

5 hrs ago

Mets closer Edwin Díaz ejected for 'sticky stuff,' faces automatic suspension

5 hrs ago

Zambales fishers defy China's trespass rule | INQToday

5 hrs ago

Mets vs. Cubs odds, score prediction, time: 2024 MLB picks, Sunday Night Baseball bets by proven model

5 hrs ago

Cubs place righty Mark Leiter Jr. on 15-day IL

5 hrs ago

Philadelphia Phillies at Detroit Tigers odds, picks and predictions

5 hrs ago

Get your Los Angeles Dodgers Stars & Stripes hat now

5 hrs ago

Judge hits 28th HR as Yankees top Braves

5 hrs ago

Imee Marcos won’t run for mayor of Manila in 2025

5 hrs ago

Red Sox earn 7-4 win in bullpen game vs. Reds, take series

5 hrs ago

Keep serving, Go urges social workers

5 hrs ago

Catriona Gray thankful for ‘new beginning with Jesus’ after water baptism

5 hrs ago

Tiger Sands, Aussies rule BVR Sipalay

5 hrs ago

WHO warns against fake batches of Ozempic

5 hrs ago

8 Cooking Channels To Help With 'Anong Iluluto Mamaya' Problems

5 hrs ago

‘Asawa Ng Asawa Ko’ completely pulls away vs ‘High Street’

5 hrs ago

Target’s Hidden Summer Shop Has Sundresses, Sandals, and More for Under $40