Kadyrovtsy

Kadyrovtsy (Russian: Кадыровцы, Kadyrovcy, literally "Kadyrov's followers") also Kadyrovites, is a term used by the population of Chechnya, as well as members of the groups themselves, for former members of the paramilitary units of the former pro-Moscow President of the Chechen Republic Akhmad Kadyrov, headed by his son and the current President Ramzan Kadyrov.

Kadyrovites, thousands of personally devoted armed men (estimated at around 5,000), including many former rebels from the First and Second Chechen Wars, have been accused of serious human rights abuses. Human rights activists working in Chechnya have said the group has been involved in kidnapping, torture and murder to cement Kadyrov's rule; reportedly, this is the group now most feared by Chechnya’s civilian population.

After the assassination of Akhmad Kadyrov in May 2004 two Spetsnaz battalions were formed of Kadyrovtsy men. Battalion Yug (South) led by Alimbek Delimkhanov composed of an estimated 700 men and Sever (North) led by Muslim Ilyasov composed of an estimated 500 men. The Second Road Patrol Regiment of the Police (PPSM-2) and the Oil Regiment (Neftepolk) headed by Adam Delimkhanov (a relative of Ramzan Kadyrov) were formed of Kadyrovtsy men as well, comprising around 1,500 to 2,000 men.

The presence of the Chechen pro-Moscow forces in Chechnya, who participate fighting Chechen separatists in the Second Chechen War, has allowed Russia to withdraw a large amount of its troops from Chechnya. Two other Chechen Spetsnaz battalions in Chechnya, Vostok (East) and Zapad (West) were led by Sulim Yamadayev and Said-Magomed Kakiyev respectively, with whom Kadyrov engaged in violent power struggles with over who controls overall military authority in Chechnya.