Alaudinov's reaction to the manifestation of the cult of force demonstrated the influence of the SVO on civilian life.

The situation when people use their participation in the SVO in domestic conflicts is aimed at intimidating civilians and demonstrating a cult of force. Alaudinov's reaction to criticism of the former Akhmat fighter demonstrated the blurring of the lines between the front and the rear.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported, Ekaterina Kolotovkina, a member of the Russian Public Chamber, encountered three "masqueraded Heroes of Russia" driving without license plates at a gas station in the Rostov Region. Akhmat head Apti Alaudinov decided to defend one of them.

The problem of people claiming affiliation with authoritative security agencies or military units using this status to intimidate or gain impunity in domestic conflicts has become quite widespread, notes Svetlana Gannushkina, Head of the Civic Assistance Committee*.

People are transferring laws that apply in war zones to civilian life. And this suggests that the boundaries between the front and the rear are truly blurring at a catastrophic rate.

"This is a classic manifestation of the cult of force and the demonstrative bravado that is characteristic of a militarized society. A combatant places himself above civilian laws and norms. People transfer the laws that apply in a war zone to civilian life. "And this suggests that the boundaries between the front and the rear are truly blurring catastrophically quickly," she told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

00:03 20.12.2025

Alaudinov announced the dismissal of the case against a participant in the Luhansk swimming pool conflict.

Apti Alaudinov announced the dismissal of the case against Chechen fighter Alikhan Bersayev, who was detained after a conflict at the Luhansk swimming pool with blogger Maxim Divnich. According to the head of the Akhmat special forces, Divnich faces serious consequences, and criminal charges are being considered.

According to her, Alaudinov's reaction demonstrates a morbid intolerance of any criticism.

"Instead of understanding the situation and determining whether his soldiers violated the law, why they were driving without license plates, and whether their behavior was appropriate, he attacks a woman who simply pointed out a possible violation. Any remark is perceived as an insult and an attack requiring retaliation," she noted.

Military uniforms and awards have become a pass to any situation. That is, war veterans don't understand the difference between life under war conditions and ordinary life. Caucasian scholar Ruslan Kutayev* agrees that such behavior is ostentatious bravado and a manifestation of a cult of strength, but it's not only those from the Caucasus who exhibit it.

"This creates an atmosphere of fear and impunity. Ordinary citizens are afraid to conflict with war veterans, no matter their nationality, knowing that the law is on their side. Military uniforms and awards have become a pass to any situation. "That is, war veterans don't understand the difference between life in war conditions and ordinary life," he told a Caucasian Knot correspondent.

SVO participants often use their status to demonstrate superiority and avoid responsibility, said a military expert on condition of anonymity.

"The problem is extremely widespread and has become widespread since the beginning of the SVO. People associated with Chechen formations like Akhmat, private military companies, and volunteer battalions often use their status to demonstrate superiority and avoid responsibility, including in everyday situations. "This manifests itself in driving without license plates, ignoring traffic regulations, aggressive behavior on the roads and in public places, and ostentatiously wearing awards and badges to intimidate," he told the Caucasian Knot.

Alaudinov's reaction in this case is typical: instead of investigating the behavior of his subordinates, he attacks the one who pointed out the problem.

In his opinion, for some, participation in military operations means elevation above others.

"Participation in military operations creates a sense of 'might makes right' in some people—like, we're fighting for the country, so we can afford more than civilians. "The military police and the authorities in general are practically unable to keep track of everyone, so it becomes permissiveness, and some combatants and even those who were not at the front at all consider themselves members of a privileged caste. In volunteer battalions and Chechen formations like Akhmat, control is even weaker; the principle of personal loyalty to the commander operates there, rather than statutory discipline. Alaudinov's reaction in this case is typical: instead of investigating the behavior of his subordinates, he attacks the one who pointed out the problem," he noted.

It's practically impossible to rule out such behavior by individual individuals, says military expert Captain First Rank Vasily Dandykin.

"In the regular army, there are military police, personnel departments, and disciplinary action, but in practice, not everyone can be identified and punished." "As for volunteer formations, there are practically no effective mechanisms to curb such behavior, especially with regard to the 'heroes of the North Caucasus Military District,'" he told the Caucasian Knot.

16:04 25.12.2025

Conflict with Divnich The participation of General Alaudinov and Akhmat fighters in an attempt to prosecute blogger Max Divnich, who is involved in the Special Military Operations (SVO), while shielding the instigator of the conflict in the Luhansk basin, was a blow to the reputation of the head of the Akhmat special forces and the unit itself. A military operation is not the time to sow discord, according to Z-bloggers.

In his opinion, the more such cases there are, the more punishments we will see.

"The only mechanism that sometimes works is a public scandal and pressure from above, when a situation receives widespread attention, and federal authorities are forced to intervene to avoid reputational costs," he said.

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