Summary and Key Points: To sustain its military efforts in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has resorted to deploying pro-Russian Chechen forces back to the frontlines.

-Known for their social media presence, these "TikTok troops" were initially used for rear area security due to heavy early losses.

-With the withdrawal of the Wagner Group, these Chechen units are now being pushed back into active combat roles.

-The Chechens have also trained around 42,000 Russian soldiers, although the training is rudimentary.

-Despite heavy casualties, estimated at 1,100 troops daily, Russia continues to maintain a significant presence in Ukraine with approximately 500,000 troops.

Chechen Forces Return to Combat in Ukraine: A Desperate Move by Russia?

To sustain the fighting in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kremlin advisers have been pulling all pursuing all options available to them.

The latest scheme is sending pro-Russian Chechen forces back to the frontlines.

TikTok Chechens to the Frontline in Ukraine

“Pro-Russian Chechen forces have been fighting in Ukraine since 2014. Suffering initial heavy losses, Chechen units became largely relegated to conducting rear area security operations,” the British Military Intelligence assessed in recent operational update.

“They became known as ‘TikTok troops’ for their social media antics, rather than their fighting skills,” the British Military Intelligence added.

Social media has been playing an important role in the conflict, with both sides using the internet to highlight their victories and discredit their adversary. Moscow’s Chechen troops have been “regulars” online, using their fearsome reputation to intimidate the Ukrainians.

“Since the withdrawal of Wagner forces from the fight, these TikTok soldiers are being pressed back into frontline service,” the British Military Intelligence assessed.

For a period, the Wanger Group private military company shouldered much of the fighting in Ukraine. For example, it was the Wagner Group that captured—in exchange for about 100,000 casualties—the city of Bakhmut in May 2023. However, Wanger Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin then led the mercenary group into an ill-fated coup d’etat in June, leading to his death and essential dismantling of the unit.

Besides direct combat, Chechen forces have been training other Russian units. According to Chechnyan officials, around 42,000 Russian soldiers have been trained by a Chechnya military university since 2022. However, with a duration of just 10 days, the training the Chechens provide is closer to a rudimentary military basics course than boot camp or advanced military skills.

“The use of Chechen TikTok soldiers on the frontline and to train Russian soldiers illustrates the desperation and resource strain within the Russian military,” the British Military Intelligence concluded.

Russian Casualties in Ukraine

Meanwhile, the Russian forces continue to take extremely heavy losses on the ground. On day 837 of the conflict in Ukraine, Kyiv assessed that killed, wounded, or captured approximately 1,100 Russian troops, as well as destroyed or damaged 58 tactical vehicles and fuel tanks, 47 artillery pieces and multiple launch rocket systems, 32 armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, 23 main battle tanks, 21 pieces of special equipment, and 13 unmanned aerial systems.

These are very heavy casualties, but the Russian military has managed not only to absorb them but to push more troops into the ground in Ukraine. According to Ukrainian estimates, there are close to 500,000 Russian troops in Ukraine right now. To be sure, the Kremlin has managed to absorb the heavy losses, but that doesn’t mean that the quality of the Russian military has improved.

On the contrary, as we have covered before here at The National Interest, the quality of incoming Russian troops is questionable. But they are doing the work required by Moscow—that is, attrite the Ukrainian forces and resources through endless human wave attacks.

About the Author 

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.

All images are Creative Commons or Shutterstock. 

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