Chechen authorities are planning to hire private U.S. contractors to train the Russian republic's special forces.
Up to 200 of “the best” foreign instructors will be employed at the region's new Gudermes special forces training facility, Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov told the Interfax news agency.
Countries including Denmark, Belgium, Italy, Canada and Norway had expressed an interest in working with the base, Kadyrov claimed.
The Chechen president would not confirm that any contract had been signed, as some countries “did not to wish to advertise” their connection with the volatile southern region, Interfax reported.
He also did not rule out the use of U.S. instructors, but said that the U.S. government was “subject to sanctions” in Chechnya.
"You cannot deny the fact that, in the United States, there are some really great guys with rich experience in overt and covert special operations in Latin America, Asia, and Africa," Kadyrov said.
The center had so far received 10 applications from private U.S. contractors, he claimed.
Chechnya's flagship Gudermes special forces center is set to open by 2018. The complex reportedly stretches some 400 hectares.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
