Putin Visits Chechnya, Praises Troops and Mosque

Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Chechnya marked his first in 13 years and included a stop at the newly constructed 'Prophet Isa' mosque in Grozny, where he kissed a gold-encrusted Quran, a gesture that sparked mixed reactions globally. Accompanied by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, Putin aimed to show respect for the Islamic faith and bolster support among Chechen fighters, potentially to encourage their participation in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The visit also included an inspection of Chechen troops and volunteers at the Russian Special Forces University in Gudermes, where Putin praised their commitment to defending Russia. This visit comes amid heavy Russian losses in Ukraine and follows Ukraine's significant cross-border incursion into Russia's Kursk region. While some observers view Putin's religious gesture as a strategic move to gain favor among Muslim communities, others criticized it as inappropriate. The visit further emphasized Russia's ongoing military challenges and the Kremlin's efforts to rally support domestically and internationally.