Chechnya's ruler is sad that Russia isn't launching a ground war in Syria
Ramzan Kadyrov, the ruler of the Russian Republic of Chechnya, has expressed disappointment that Moscow won't launch ground operations in Syria to aid Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Speaking to the press today, Kadyrov vowed that Chechen soldiers would be the first to join such an assault, if the Kremlin changes its policy.
“It's a shame that Russia's operation will only be air strikes. But if an infantry is needed for the fight against ISIL in Syria, we [Chechnya] will be the first to go. Our military readiness is second to none,” Kadyrov said, vowing that several thousand Chechen soldiers could be ready to join a ground war at any time.
On September 30, Russia's Senate unanimously authorized President Putin to use military force to aid Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who formally requested Russian assistance. Kremlin officials say Moscow will limit its assistance to air strikes, ruling out ground operations.