Apti Alaudinov, commander of the Chechen Akhmat special forces battalion, has condemned Chechen soldiers who surrendered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
In a video posted on his Telegram channel on Sunday, Alaudinov stated that these soldiers “don’t deserve to live” and that surrendering was a disgrace that could only be redeemed through bloodshed.
Expressing outrage over videos of Chechen fighters in Ukrainian captivity, Alaudinov said he had no intention of securing their return to Russia.
"I don't think you even deserve to live," he said. He went on to encourage these captured fighters to attack their captors and “do everything you can to get yourselves killed."
This reaction aligns with Alaudinov’s frequent rhetoric, in which he criticizes those he views as lacking loyalty to Russia. He framed the act of surrender as deeply dishonorable, claiming it cannot "be washed away with anything other than one's own blood."
Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin mocked Alaudinov's comments, sarcastically noting that Akhmat “doesn’t abandon its own.”
He also warned that anyone tempted to join the Chechen battalion due to its "attractive advertising" should reconsider in light of the commander’s harsh stance on surrender.
Captures and Prisoner Exchanges
Alaudinov’s comments follow recent events in which Akhmat soldiers were reportedly captured by the Ukrainian military.
In August, Alaudinov had denied that any of his fighters were taken prisoner, even as Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets confirmed that their capture had led to talks between Russia and Ukraine on a potential prisoner exchange.
These negotiations were reportedly confirmed in late August.
Alaudinov, widely seen as a potential successor to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, is known for his impassioned video addresses. His latest comments come at a time when rumors about Kadyrov's declining health continue to circulate, positioning Alaudinov as a possible future leader of the region.
In previous statements, Alaudinov has also criticized conscripts who complain about conditions on the battlefield, arguing that every Russian should be eager to fight for the country.
