Since Russia first invaded Ukraine, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has played a pivotal role in Vladimir Putin’s war efforts. He has been both a loyal cheerleader and a provider of troops, but he has also been critical of the president and his generals’ prosecution of the war, viciously and publicly laying into them when he feels that the Kremlin isn’t fighting ruthlessly enough. He has also claimed to have sent thousands of Chechen fighters into Ukraine and bragged on social media that his units captured key positions there, including in the city of Mariupol. At times, he has begged Putin to let his men “finish the job,” implying that Chechen soldiers are more ruthless and would subdue Ukraine quickly, unlike their feckless Russian counterparts.