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Russian TV To Broadcast Documentary On Chechen Forces In Syria


Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov

Russian state television is to broadcast a documentary this week alleging that Chechen forces loyal to the Kremlin are on the ground in Syria.

A teaser for the documentary to be broadcast on Rossiya 1 on February 10 quotes Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov as saying Chechen agents are gathering military intelligence inside Islamic State-controlled territory and have also infiltrated the ranks of the group.

It showed a training camp in Chechnya, where it said soldiers now active in Syria had been trained.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to confirm the presence of Chechen forces in Syria.

Russia launched air strikes in Syria on September 30 and has set up a military base to complement an existing naval facility. It has deployed infantry, armor, and the advanced S-400 antiaircraft system there to protect its assets, and has military trainers and advisers working with the Syrian military.

Based on reporting by Reuters, novayagazeta.ru, and TASS

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