Aslan Mohammed Ocherkhadzhiev sits pensively at a table in the corner of a shelter near the city of Chasov Yar, Ukraine's last stronghold near Bakhmut in the eastern battlefield.
On the table before him were stacks of paper coffee cups and cans labeled in Arabic. Lost in thought, he slowly sipped his coffee.
The 43-year-old put down the Makarov pistol he was wearing on his belt and revealed a wounded hand, a reminder of his first fight with the Russian army in the mountains of Chechnya in 2000, when he was 23.
Chechnya is a republic of Russia but has experienced historical ups and downs. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the First Chechen War took place between the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic in 1994-1996, when the autonomous government in Chechnya declared independence, seceding the region from Russia.
Akhmad Kadyrov, father of current Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, fought against Moscow in that war. However, during the Second Chechen War of 1999-2009, Akhmad switched sides, siding with the Russian Federation, leading to the establishment of a pro-Moscow government in Chechnya.
Mr Ramzan has led Chechnya since 2007 and has always shown loyalty to President Putin. He has mobilized the Chechen army to join the war in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian campaign.
Aslan Mohammed Ocherkhadzhiev, a member of the Sheikh Mansur Battalion fighting in Ukraine. Photo: Moscow Times
However, there are Chechen separatists who have sided with Ukraine, like Aslan. He started out as a trainer for Ukrainian special forces before joining the Sheikh Mansur Battalion, a Chechen militia unit formed in 2014, mainly made up of fighters from the Second Chechen War.
Currently, Aslan is among the commanders of this force, once again fighting against the Russian army.
In the next room, his teammate Walid began his midday prayer in front of a folding mirror, an important Muslim ritual.
Outside, on the devastated streets of Chasov Yar, a few Ukrainian soldiers leaned silently against old T90 tanks, their faces showing signs of fatigue. In the distance, artillery fire continued to echo, and flocks of birds flew in the sky.
In late December last year, General Oleksandr Syrsky, commander of the Ukrainian ground forces, reported that fierce fighting was taking place along the eastern front, and that the Ukrainian army, from Kupiansk to Bakhmut, via Lyman, was struggling to withstand the relentless waves of Russian attacks.
About 10 km north of Chasov Yar, after months of fighting, Russian forces broke through Ukrainian positions in the Avdeevka area and began to encircle the city.
Location of the cities of Chasov Yar and Bakhmut. Graphics: RYV
Aslan is undaunted. He has seen worse. As a sniper in the Second Chechen War, he knows what defeat feels like. While he acknowledges the situation remains complicated, Aslan does not believe the Ukrainian army will collapse.
"I pray for victory. After liberating Ukraine, we will continue to liberate Ichkeria," he said, referring to the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, an unrecognized entity that existed from 1991 to 2000.
Living in exile in Norway after spending several years in prison under the rule of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, Aslan traveled to Ukraine to confront Russian forces in the summer of 2022, shortly after the conflict between the two countries broke out.
"I came here to take revenge on my old rival," he said.
Ukrainian servicemen drive a T-64 tank towards the front line near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, in May 2023. Photo: AFP
On the floor of the Chasov Yar shelter, surrounded by a prayer rug, are numerous pieces of military hardware. A Ukrainian flag and a rifle hang on the wall. “The situation for the Ukrainian army is quite difficult,” Aslan admits. “But the Russians are really just as bad.”
Walid agreed with his teammate's assessment. Walid, with a shaggy beard and long black hair that fell to his shoulders, tried to downplay the challenges ahead.
"The situation is much better than when we fought the Russians in Chechnya. They still use the same techniques and strategies, the only difference is that today, in Ukraine, we are better trained and organized. We still receive support from the West," he said.
Despite the dire state of both sides, Aslan asserts that Russian forces still have the upper hand. The Russian army, which has more manpower, continues to send soldiers steadily to the battlefield.
"They rushed towards our positions like moths to a flame. We didn't have enough bullets, artillery, or soldiers to stop them. So we were forced to retreat slowly. It was the only strategy they found to push us back, but it clearly worked," Aslan said. "The Ukrainian army lacked everything."
But neither Walid nor Aslan were discouraged. Considered one of the best units in the Ukrainian forces, their battalion was often sent to the toughest fighting on the front.
During the Battle of Bakhmut, the Sheikh Mansur Battalion successfully secured the Ivaniske Road, the city's main supply route and a prime target for the Russian army. For Aslan, this was a source of pride. "Despite suffering many losses since the beginning of the war, we have completed all our tasks with excellence," he said.
Walid attributes their success to the fact that all the battalion members have a solid military background, many of whom have experience fighting the Russians. "We know the Russians, we don't underestimate them, but we don't overestimate them either," Aslan stressed. "We know what they are capable of."
Many members of Sheikh Mansur knew each other before the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out. They are well trained and equipped, helping the team coordinate their actions in a decisive and coordinated manner.
But Aslan said he was more concerned about the overall state of the Ukrainian military. “They lack ammunition, shells, artillery, air weapons, air defense systems and all sorts of equipment. Ukraine is retreating because of lack of ammunition,” he explained.
Aslan also expressed outrage at Europe and the United States' reluctance to respond to Ukraine's aid requests.
In the current situation, Aslan and Walid stressed that Ukraine, despite several withdrawals, is still capable of holding its ground. But without further aid, it will not be able to launch offensives to regain territory.
“They are all rich and powerful countries, but they have not even sent Ukraine 10% of what is needed to fight,” Aslan said, his voice filled with anger. “They have not given us enough to break through the Russian defenses.”
Vu Hoang (According to Moscow Times, AFP, Reuters )
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