CHECHNYA: GROZNY: BATTALION PREPARING TO BECOME OFFICIAL ARMY

(10 Feb 1997) Russian/Nat
With Chechnya's President elect Aslan Maskhadov soon to be inaugurated, the tiny breakaway region is setting out on the road to independence.
But what will become of some 30-thousand armed separatists who fought Russia?
Despite the lack of pay and the absence of any infrastructure, one battalion is preparing itself to be Chechnya's official army.
It's this battalion which will serve and protect the new Chechen government of Aslan Maskhadov.
A few months ago, these men were rebels battling with the soldiers of the Russian Army
Now, with Russian troops withdrawn and a new Chechen President elected, these men hope to become official Chechen soldiers.
Although Russia hasn't recognised Chechnya as an independent nation, Chechnya is beginning to prepare for statehood.
One of the first steps is the formation of a national army.
Some of Chechnya's ragtag rebel fighters will be transformed into an organised fighting force to protect the new Chechen government and Chechnya's borders.
With the entire southern republic in ruins after two years of Russian bombardment, creating any form of infrastructure in Chechnya will be difficult.
The Chechen government still can't afford to pay its soldiers--just as it couldn't during the war with Russia.
So far, Chechnya's army has been working for nothing.
But the soldiers and the officers don t seem to mind. They say the currency of independence is all they need.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"We are not receiving any pay, just like during the war, we received nothing, and we are still in the same position, even though people talk like we are paid, we aren't at all. But it doesn't matter. We are working for our independence. The independence of our country is the most important thing."
SUPER CAPTION: Lieutenant Aladin, First Chechen Army Battalion
This battalion has some 400 fighters - the youngest is 16 years old, and the oldest is in his fifties.
All the men here are experienced in armed combat and guerrilla warfare, but few are familiar with the routine regime of a regular army.
Some of the soldiers live in the barracks while others live at home, attending daily military exercises much like a volunteer army.
This helps cut down on food and living costs.
Commander Musa Bakayev has created a system that allows his battalion to exist despite the lack of funding from the Chechen government.
He rents out his force much like an army-for-hire.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Regarding the financing of our battalion, we will take care of ourselves until something else can be done. For now, we find private contributors and work on the side for various factories or private companies that need armed protection."
SUPER CAPTION: Musa Bakayev, Commander of first Chechen army battalion
For now, these Chechen soldiers wear the fatigues of the Russian army.
But some day they hope to wear the crisp uniforms of an independent Chechnya and serve an independent Chechen government.
Chechnya's separatist fighters intend to show Russia and the world that they can, and will, protect their territory and their government with a real and professional army.
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[@ptrekboxbreaks5198]

1:47 second guy in row on left....is that Kadyrov??

[@jappzundv5708]

60 духов из них 65 генералов

[@Karlsvensson777]

Кто был "духом" все видели! И это были точно не Чеченцы!

[@win8man1857]

Послевоенное время...

[@fratercontenduntocculta8161]

1:36 one guy is carrying a PKT (a vehicle machine gun designed to be mounted, not fired by hand lol)

[@kolyqwerty3721]

на что то ето похоже

[@antonfomichev8033]

Зачем тогда на Дагестана поперли, вот и получили, жили бы сами там, в нищете, нет им еще и Дагестана подавай...

[@ghl-oe1ev]

На Дагестан они пошли чтобы помочь Дагестанским братьям, которые вели неравные ожесточённые бои с армией рф

[@user-nf8qd2rm1y]

Вы и шас живёте нишате тогда тем боле

[@steverzucidlo9065]

?

[@oldguy7144]

Russia - you conqured these people. Go home. U.S. same sentiment. China you too. Get out of everyone elses business.

[@deutschland403o2]

The Ottomans conquered these people a long time ago. That is why they are Islamic. Then the Russians. Who do you think has had a larger impact? Chechnya, much like Russia and Ukraine, has suffered greatly at the hands of Jewish influences and that is the point of conflict that is the hardest to spot. In another 20 years EVERY white person will see it, Mark my words.

[@sarahwani4086]

Ottomans didn't conquer them dumb. they were invaded by the arabs . before that they used to be Animists . Chechens aren't Russian. they're Caucasian people of Wainakh group

[@deutschland403o2]

Sarah Wani, they were absolutely conquered by the Ottoman Empire www.belfercenter.org/publication/chechens-middle-east-between-original-and-host-cultures

[@selimcheberlo8828]

@@deutschland403o2 No they fucking weren't. Search up history and facts. The Ottomans only went for trade at the Terek river. They never had any conflict with the Vainakh people. The Islamic conversion came because of Dagestani scholars.

[@user-tu8gh7pl4u]

З0 участок

[@steverzucidlo9065]

in 1994 did you guys betray my mother and The Blessed Mother of Jesus Christ Himself.

[@steverzucidlo9065]

?

[@sarahwani4086]

Chechens wanted to get separated from Russian federation because of Boris's rightist government .

[@Blueblood1873]

@@sarahwani4086 Yes, they loved law, and order and freedom. It wasn't if they enjoyed a bit of ethnic cleansing, kidnapping, Slave Bazaars in the centre of their capital, along with Islamic fundamentalism and inter-clan feudalism. The problem with people on the outside is, we don't understand summary justice, which includes torture and be-headings when there is non-compliance, this includes family members and friends in their social circle who won't or in most cases can't co-operate with these fine and upstanding citizens, as they won't pay these inflated cash demands. How naive of us outsiders, for not taking into consideration these poor people, who only carry AK47 assault rifles along with improvised and elaborately constructed weapons to protect themselves against businessmen, politicians and so-called degenerates.

[@Karlsvensson777]

@@Blueblood1873 don't lie! It were russian fsb, who kidnapped people!

[@Blueblood1873]

@@Karlsvensson777 Don’t call me a liar you moron. Like I mentioned in the previous post. The Chechens kidnapped scores of people during the years of their so-called independence, the place was completely lawless and out of control. It’s not even a controversial statement to make, as this was well known by all sides, including the West and the Global media. Let me guess, are you Swedish? You are either being facetious or at the very worst naive.

[@user-ru4vd3kz7m]

Именно эти ребята громили российские войска напавшие на Ичкерию, им слава! Аллаху акбар.

[@asa-tv4tt]

Бандиты и убийцы

[@tuz1981]

Ну, не все там Бандиты и Убийци... нельзя судить - о всей нации по отдельным личностям! Много не справедливости было, и осталось! Тупо стравили... чтоб свои дела делать