Pro-Russian separatists from the Chechen "Death" battalion stand in a line during a training exercise in the territory controlled by the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, eastern Ukraine, December 8, 2014. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Chechens Loyal To Russia Fight Alongside East Ukraine Rebels -- Reuters
(Reuters) - Chanting "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest), dozens of armed men in camouflage uniforms from Russia's republic of Chechnya train in snow in a camp in the rebel-held east Ukraine.
They say their "Death" unit fighting Ukrainian forces has 300 people, mostly former state security troops in the mainly-Muslim region where Moscow waged two wars against Islamic insurgents and which is now run by a Kremlin-backed strongman.
Seasoned Chechen fighters, whose combat experience often dates back to the 1994-96 and 1999-2000 wars, fight on both sides in east Ukraine, adding to the complexity of a conflict in which the West says Russian troops are involved.
Update: Chechen Muslim 'Death Battalion' joins Russia's war in Ukraine -- Daily Mail
My Comment: This only adds to the mess and chaos that now exists in eastern Ukraine.
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