Captured Akhmat fighter says he chose Ukraine and a drone guided him away from Russia’s ranks
Magomed said earlier Chechen defections prompted Russian commanders to check fighters’ phones and tighten surveillance.
In a recent interview, a former fighter from the Akhmat forces, known only as Magomed, revealed his desire to fight for Ukraine after spending nearly a year in Russian captivity. The interview, conducted by Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Karpenko, was published on August 13, 2026. Akhmat, the unit Magomed belonged to, is a frontline force for Russia and provides security on the backside.
According to the report by Militarnyi, a Ukrainian military news outlet, around 9,000 personnel served in pro-Russian Chechen units in Ukraine. Magomed's story highlights the complex relationship between Chechen fighters and the war. Since 2014, pro-Kremlin Chechen formations have fought for Moscow, while anti-Kremlin Chechens supporting independence from Russia have backed Kyiv.
Magomed claimed that he chose Ukraine after his brother was killed by Russians. He had served near Svitlodarsk, Bakhmut, and Horlivka, including evacuating bodies of soldiers. He also stated that two Chechens had crossed to Ukraine before him, which led to Russian commanders checking fighters' phones and tightening surveillance.
Magomed followed a Ukrainian drone towards Ukrainian positions with other Chechens, and Ukrainian troops dropped medicine, water, and a radio to guide them. A Russian drone attack during the crossing killed one Chechen, as per Magomed's account. Magomed stated that he later joined the International Legion, run by Ukraine's military intelligence, but the discrepancy between this and his desire to join the legion remains unexplained.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
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