Putin Visits Chechnya for First Time Since 2011

On August 20, 2024, Vladimir Putin made his first visit to Chechnya since 2011, where he was warmly welcomed by ally Ramzan Kadyrov. The visit included laying flowers at the grave of Kadyrov's father and a tribute to victims of the Beslan school siege in North Ossetia, indicating Putin's connection to the region's tumultuous past. Kadyrov claimed that Chechen forces are actively supporting Russia's military efforts in Ukraine, particularly in the Kursk region, which has seen recent Ukrainian offensives. As part of his Caucasus tour, Putin also visited Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia, reinforcing his presence in a strategically significant area amid rising tensions with the West. This trip reflects Putin's attempt to consolidate power and reassert Russia's influence in the South Caucasus, where he faces challenges from Turkey and Ukraine. The geopolitical landscape continues to shift as regional dynamics evolve under the pressures of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.