In fact, he is only the commander of the Chechen special unit "Akhmat". But for several weeks now, he has been appearing on all channels. Why did Apti Alaudinov become the spokesman for the Russian army?
"Why is the enemy still in the Kursk region?", asks Apti Alaudinov in a video on his channel in "Telegram". "Over 200 tanks, more than 400 combat vehicles were transferred there, and later even more. Initially, 12 thousand people were sent, and then additional forces and means, which must be destroyed,", he says, analyzing the offensive of the Ukrainian army in the Kursk region.
Alaudinov is a major general of the Russian army and commander of the Chechen special forces unit "Akhmat". The regiment is named after Chechen President Akhmat Kadyrov, who was assassinated 20 years ago, and is considered the personal army of his son Ramzan Kadyrov, although it has since been integrated into the Russian armed forces. The image of Akhmat Kadyrov adorns the green flag of the special unit, in front of which Alaudinov poses, demonstrating his incomprehension as to why the Ukrainian counterattack has not yet been repulsed.
Since the beginning of the Kursk operation of the Ukrainian army, Alaudinov has become one of the most popular Russian military commentators. Every day he posts on the topic in Telegram, where he has almost 300 thousand followers. He was quoted by agencies and invited to television shows. Is Alaudinov just a propagandist for Moscow or is the Kremlin trying to make him Kadyrov's successor?
Commands the special unit "Ahmat"
Alaudinov was born in the North Caucasus, outside Chechnya. However, his father, older brother and other relatives died during the war in Chechnya. "He has always been part of the Chechens who have always been pro-Russian," says Serwin Moore of the University of Birmingham. This distinguishes him from Ramzan Kadyrov, who positions himself as a "local field commander who commands in Chechnya, but at the same time keeps his distance from the Kremlin".
Alaudinov studied law, worked in the Chechen Ministry of Internal Affairs, quickly made a career and became a deputy minister. He was considered close to Ramzan Kadyrov, but according to press reports at the end of 2010 he fell out of favor and moved to Moscow.
After the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Alaudinov assumed command of the special division "Akhmat". Serwin Moore believes Alaudinov is hoping to win back Kadyrov's favor by heading the special unit. For his merits, he was honored by Moscow with the title "Hero of Russia". In April 2024, Alaudinov was also appointed deputy head of the department for military-political work in the Russian Ministry of Defense, where he organized "military-political propaganda and agitation".
Alaudinov's new role
With his contacts with the Chechen elite and as the commander of "Akhmat", for which he mobilized volunteers from all over Russia, Alaudinov is particularly suited to work with various target groups, says expert Moore. In addition, he can use his experience in social networks and the Ministry of War to spread messages.
Alaudinov can also fill the void left by Yevgeny Prigozhin, says Adam Asshab, an expert on the Caucasus. "Moscow lost Prigogine and seems to need a new such person, not necessarily in the group "Wagner", but for various reasons. For example, just like Prigozhin, Alaudinov makes interesting video addresses," says Ashab. The expert believes that, in general, the Kremlin is satisfied with the way Alaudinov "plays the role intended for him". Moore agrees: "Alaudinov is very good at creating an image and engaging in social media mobilization.
Successor of Kadyrov?
For some time there has been speculation about a possible successor to Ramzan Kadyrov. Rumors intensified in the spring after it became known that Kadyrov was ill. He himself regularly claims that he is completely healthy.
However, observers do not believe that there will be a change of leadership in Chechnya anytime soon. This could be risky for the Kremlin during the war against Ukraine. Adam Ashab, who monitors Chechen media and social networks, says he has yet to see any signs that change will take place. Moreover, Moscow would do everything possible to ensure that such a transfer of power goes smoothly.
However, experts do not rule out the possibility that Ramzan Kadyrov will be replaced by Apti Alaudinov or someone else. They believe that the Kremlin is keeping several doors open. Alaudinov, who is backed by Russia's security forces, could be among those chosen.