A Moscow blogger recorded a video apologising after making offensive remarks about Chechens during a livestream. In the video, he is seen kneeling and addressing the Chechen people:
“I want to sincerely apologise to Chechnya for my words. At the time, I was drunk and said too much, but that is no excuse for my behaviour. I understand that my words could have been perceived as disrespectful to you and to your people, the people of Chechnya. I did not intend to show disrespect, and I sincerely regret what I said. I ask for your forgiveness! I respect you and understand that I should have watched what I said, regardless of the state I was in. This will not happen again on my part,” the blogger said.

The incident is the second in Moscow in a week and a half in which a man has publicly apologised on his knees after making insulting remarks about Chechens.

A week earlier, a conflict broke out on Moscow public transport between a man and a woman wearing a hijab. In footage published online, the man appeared to be drunk and confronted the passenger over her appearance. The woman said she was Chechen, after which he continued insulting and threatening her.

“Who are you to discuss and judge me for the way I look?” she said angrily.

When the woman said Chechens would stand up for her, the man turned to the other passengers and asked: “Are there any Chechens here?”

A video of the 26 September confrontation appeared on social media and caused widespread public reaction. After it was circulated, Chechen Telegram channels began searching for the man. One of them offered a 500,000-rouble reward for information about him.

The man later recorded a first video apologising. He asked forgiveness from the woman, her relatives and everyone who may have been offended by his words.

“I would like to apologise today for what happened yesterday on the train. I did not want to offend anyone, I did not want to insult anyone. First and foremost, I want to apologise to the girl with whom I had the confrontation,” he said.

The man added that he had been drunk and had no other justification for his behaviour.

“Therefore, I apologise, I apologise to the girl’s relatives and loved ones whom I offended. I apologise to everyone whom I insulted with my words,” he said.

A second video later emerged showing the man kneeling and apologising to the woman, the Chechen people and Ramzan Kadyrov.