The Army Within: Chechnya’s Security Forces

The Chechen Republic is governed by Ramzan Kadyrov, who can frequently be found inspecting and photographing military equipment, and was even seen recording sections of Grozny Victory Day Parades on his mobile phone. [1] Under Kadyrov's rule, Chechnya has carved out a high degree of autonomy compared to other Russian republics, and is the only republic boast its own de-facto army. In accordance with its intended purpose of combating Russia's internal enemies, the CSF operates no heavy weaponry such as tanks, artillery, air defence systems or aviation assets (although at least three autogyros are in use). The CSF has deployed to various parts of Syria since December 2016 and frequently shows off its equipment during massive rallies and the Grozny Victory Day Parades. [2] [3] [4]

The Chechen automobile manufacturer ChechenAvto also produces the Chaborz-M3 and -M6 light strike vehicles (LSVs) for the CSF. These have mostly entered service with Chechen units, though a limited number have found their way to other National Guard units as well. [6] Kadyrov also announced the CSF's attention to assemble the Bulat 6x6 APC in Chechnya, although it is believed that apart from a Russian-produced prototype slightly modified to suit Chechen requirements no actual assembly or production was ever launched. [7] The CSF did receive a number of specially modified Iveco LMV Rys known as ''Borz'' complete with a wolf's head ornament on the hood.

 

In July 2022, Chechnya became the first operator of the Russian Remdiesel Z-STS 6x6 APC, which was named Akhmat by the manufacturer in honour of Akhmat Kadyrov. A first batch of twenty Akhmats was supplied to Chechnya in July 2022 before being sent to Ukraine, where they joined Arlan, Typhoon and Patrol MRAPs already in active use with Chechen forces deployed there. [8] The Z-STS Akhmat is built on the chassis of the KamAZ-5350 6x6 truck and was specifically designed with operations in Ukraine in mind. The speed with which the Akhmat was designed is impressive, as it only took four months from the initial design concept until the first delivery to the CSF. [9] These APCs, along with the CSF's other modern (Russian-made) AFVs, will continue to serve as the bulk of the Chechnya's Security Forces armoured vehicle fleet for the foreseeable future.

 

A BMP-1P in use with the Chechen СОБР. The BMP-1P is the only type of tracked vehicle in service with Chechen Security Forces. Note the flag with the face of Akhmat Kadyrov.

This list attempts to list all AFV types currently in service with the Chechen Security Forces. This list only includes vehicles and equipment of which photographic evidence is available. When the operator of a vehicle type is known this is indicated in brackets. СОБР = SOBR, ОМОН = OMON, ППСН = PPSN, ЮГ = South, СЕВЕР = North

 

(Click on the vehicles to get a picture of them in Chechen service)