Russian President Vladimir Putin recently visited Chechnya for the first time since 2011, making a significant appearance in Grozny, the capital of the Chechen Republic. The visit, widely publicized through a viral video, captured Putin receiving and kissing a gold-encrusted Quran, a gesture that generated a wave of positive reactions across Arab social media.
In the video, Putin is seen holding the Quran and posing for photographs alongside Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a close ally who has ruled the region since 2007. Despite Kadyrov’s forces frequently facing accusations of human rights violations, the display of reverence for the Quran resonated strongly in many Arab countries.
Putin’s visit to Chechnya comes at a time of escalating military tensions, as the Ukrainian army continues operations in Russia’s Kursk region. In a surprise attack on August 6, Ukrainian forces seized dozens of communities in the area. Chechen forces, loyal to Kadyrov, have been deployed alongside the Russian army to counter the Ukrainian advance, underscoring their involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
