Despite publicly supporting Russia’s war, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadîrov reportedly worked to minimize the deployment of Chechen fighters to the Ukrainian front lines. Sources cited by The Economist reveal Kadîrov actively avoided sending substantial numbers of Chechen personnel into combat. This strategy appears to contradict his vocal pronouncements of allegiance to Putin and support for the invasion. The reasoning behind this reluctance remains unclear, but suggests a possible effort to preserve his forces within Chechnya. This information challenges perceptions of unwavering Chechen commitment to the Russian war effort. The report indicates a discrepancy between Kadîrov’s public statements and his actions regarding troop deployment.