Russia’s special military operation changes attitude of residents of Northern Caucasus to military service

Against the background of the partial mobilization and growing casualties, the attitude of residents of Northern Caucasus towards the military service has changed. Earlier, the service in the army was considered as a social lift and an opportunity to earn money, but mass protests against the partial mobilization and unfilled vacancies in the law enforcement bodies and military units demonstrated a change in the residents’ mood, the Human Rights Protection Centre “Memorial” notes.

The human rights defenders released a bulletin on the observance of human rights in Northern Caucasus in the period from July 2022 to February 2023. The document is dedicated to the participation of fighters from Northern Caucasus in the special military operation in Ukraine and the events in Northern Caucasus against the background of the special military operation.

In addition to Chechnya, the most active regional divisions have been formed in North Ossetia. In Ingushetia, officials have also encouraged local residents to join the “Ingush squadron.”

However, in most regions of Northern Caucasus, the formation of regional squadrons and battalions have failed, and they have not played a special role at the front.

In Northern Caucasus, the military service used to be in general popular. Firstly, the region has a long military tradition, and secondly, in the conditions of the poor labour market, the military service has been a reliable source of income. In recent years, the authorities of Russia have been reluctant to draft into the army people from the republics of Northern Caucasus, especially those where the armed Islamist underground was active in the recent past.

Dagestan accepted the partial mobilization without enthusiasm, and mass protests took place in a number of cities. If earlier, refusal of the military service was regarded as cowardice, now such behaviour has become if not approved, then at least acceptable.

People from Chechnya most often go to the special military operation for two reasons: for the sake of earning money or as a punishment if someone has been guilty in the eyes of Ramzan Kadyrov. At the same time, despite Ramzan Kadyrov’s reports, the role of the Chechen military units in the course of the special military operation in Ukraine is insignificant, the human rights activists note.