(CSM) MOSCOW — Ramzan Kadyrov, the strongman placed in control of Chechnya to maintain Moscow's rule after two bloody conflicts to quell separatism, has thrown down a gauntlet – and in doing so, hinted Russia may have really lost those wars after all.
In televised comments to Chechen law enforcement officers, Mr. Kadyrov said that any federal officers who appear on Chechen territory without permission should be shot.
"I am officially stating, if any [security officer], whether from Moscow or Stavropol, appears on your territory without your knowledge, shoot to kill. They have to take us into account," he said.. […]
"Chechnya is a territory where Kadyrov is absolute ruler and no one can do anything without his say so," says Nikolai Petrov, a professor at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. "It's long been known that Chechens acting under the protection of Kadyrov are able to operate even in Moscow with complete immunity."
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