Analysts have assessed the exploitation of the interethnic component in the conflict between Divnich and Akhmat.

Although the conflict in the Luhansk basin was personal in nature, attempts were made to portray it as interethnic. The exploitation of nationalism by both the Chechen general and the "Russian Community" is evidence of societal degradation, analysts noted.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," Apti Alaudinov announced the dismissal of the case against Chechen fighter Alikhan Bersayev, who was detained after a conflict in the Luhansk basin with blogger Maxim Divnich. According to the head of the Akhmat special forces, Divnich faces serious consequences, and criminal charges are being considered. A video message from Akhmat special forces fighters to the heads of security agencies demanding that Divnich be held accountable for inciting ethnic and religious hatred and discrediting the armed forces has appeared online. The "Russian Community" has come out in support of the blogger, who is in the SVO zone, and SVO members have also recorded video messages in his support. Divnich announced the termination of the criminal case against him, adding that Bersayev faces trial on charges of unauthorized abandonment of his unit. The participation of Alaudinov and the Akhmat fighters in an attempt to bring Max Divnich to justice, 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.

The interethnic component has become a tool of controversy

Religion was not touched upon in the conflict between Divnich and Akhmat, according to Alexander Verkhovsky, head of the Sova research center*.

"Now they are bringing it in simply 'to complete the picture,'" he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, commenting on the statement by Akhmat fighters that Divnich is inciting interethnic and interfaith hatred.

According to the researcher, the authors of the video message recorded on behalf of Akhmat fighters position it not as an appeal by Chechens against Russians, but as a defense of the friendship of peoples from Russian nationalists.

"This is not distancing from "Chechen, of course, but a successful polemical ploy," Verkhovsky noted.

The conflict at the pool, judging by the video, was not without ethnic emotions, but overall, it was an ordinary personal conflict, like many others.

He believes it is natural that the "Russian Community" came to Divnich's defense.

"They present any conflict between a Russian and a non-Russian, no matter how they define who is who, as interethnic. In reality, the conflict at the pool, judging by the video, was not without ethnic emotions, but overall, it was an ordinary personal conflict, like many others," Verkhovsky noted.

In his opinion, "conflicts between different activist groups within the SVO supporters camp are natural." "They are a continuation of the lines of tension that exist in society even in peacetime. Many would probably be ready to turn such a conflict into an openly interethnic one, but since the parties to the conflict act with an eye on the supreme arbiter, this is unacceptable. If the question is whether the matter will move from words to violence, then, taking into account that very same eye on the arbiter, it is most likely not," Verkhovsky concluded.

Nationalist rhetoric has become a reflection of the degradation of society

Political scientist Dmitry Oreshkin* stated that this conflict reflects, in his words, a "degradation track" in the country's political life.

 "This is, in general, a return to the evaluation systems of the 19th and 20th centuries. This is the primitive geopolitics of the 19th, perhaps the first half of the 20th century (conversations "These are categories that are no longer used in the developed world, rather they are used to solve other, more complex problems," Oreshkin* told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to him, this trend, coming from above, is having an impact on the primitivization of thinking among the rest of the population.

"Nationalism and patriotism are, of course, always present in any society, just as there are always smarter and dumber people, but now it's just surfaced. Forms of rather primitive aggression, which are now being fostered by state media, form the foundation of modern culture. This leads to a primitivization of attitudes toward people of other ethnic groups. "This is all a sign of a degenerative turn," Oreshkin* explained.

According to him, old stereotypes about foreigners being to blame for the worsening situation are resurfacing, which also indicates a rollback of public opinion to positions from 100-150 years ago. Previously, it was Germans, Jews, or representatives of other nationalities who played this role; now, it's often Caucasians or Chechens, in a narrower sense. "This is precisely an ethnic approach. No one is saying, quite obviously, that this isn't about Chechens, but about Kadyrov's political model. It doesn't inspire enthusiasm in a large part of Russia. The way Kadyrovites behave doesn't inspire enthusiasm. But you can't say that this is the problem of the political manager who brought Kadyrov to power. But you could say the Chechens are to blame," Oreshkin* explained.

He also noted that the protracted military confrontation with Ukraine is contributing to the conflicts.

"Z-bloggers have been beating the drums for almost four years, but they can't achieve anything. They are now busy, as they should be in such a situation of cognitive dissonance, searching for enemies and traitors. That's why they say that the Chechens are TikTok troops; they don't fight, they take care of themselves, and "we die." There is a certain amount of truth in this. Although the troops are certainly not Chechen, Kadyrov or Alaudinov need security forces who answer only to them, in case a conflict arises with the federal center, or with someone else. Therefore, they can fight for the federal center only, let's say, theoretically," Oreshkin* believes.

Alaudinov is busy maneuvering between Chechnya and the federal center in the expectation that The Kremlin will support him,

18:25 23.12.2025

Akhmat fighters demanded the involvement Divnich held accountable

A video message from Akhmat special forces to the heads of security agencies demanding that blogger Max Divnich be held accountable for inciting ethnic and religious hatred and discrediting the armed forces has appeared online. The "Russian Community" has come out in support of the blogger, who is in the SVO zone.

At the same time, in his opinion, it is advantageous for Alaudinov to present the units under his command as international.

 "Alaudinov is busy maneuvering between Chechnya and the federal center, counting on the Kremlin to support him in becoming the head of Chechnya. For this, he will need a loyal security structure. And in the worst-case scenario, if he doesn't become the head of Chechnya after Kadyrov, he will need some force that would protect him from Kadyrov's victorious supporters. Therefore, yes, we must make statements about being patriots of Russia, big and small, not Chechnya. And this means that, of course, Alaudinov is working for the Kremlin audience, not the Chechen one," Oreshkin emphasized.

In turn, member of the Adam Smith Council, political scientist Sergey Boyko 1 stated that Divnich and Alaudinov, as well as the notorious "Akhmat" fighters, are working in the context of the confrontation of the ethno-national conflict "Russians vs. nationals/Muslims/Caucasians/multinational Russians."

"This conflict exists latently among the Russian military and security forces, and is being used by the authorities within the framework of the traditional strategy of "divide and rule." In fact, this is another act of the old game, but with the addition of a confessional component of "Orthodox vs. Muslims." The conflict is completely under control, and most likely, we will soon see the same stormy reconciliation of the parties," he said. He's a correspondent for the "Caucasian Knot."

* are included in the register of foreign agents.

** The activities of Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) are banned in Russia.