“Narrow misses” with the enemy and battles with bushes: A closer look at Kadyrov’s troops as Putin hands their leader yet another award

Apti Alaudinov, commander of the “Akhmat” special forces, pictured on a billboard alongside the following inscription: “The best general is the one who wins without fighting. Sun Tzu.”

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On Dec. 13, Vladimir Putin bestowed yet another prestigious decoration on Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of Russia’s Chechen Republic, praising his “significant contribution to strengthening Russian statehood, the country’s defense capabilities, and advancing the socio-economic development of the Chechen Republic.” This time, as per a report from Russian state-owned news agency TASS, the award was the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland,” 2nd Class.

The Insider takes a closer look at Kadyrov and his forces' unique approach to “strengthening” Russia's defenses.