Zamid Chalaev, commander of the Akhmat Kadyrov Special Police Regiment, has threatened residents of Chechnya with arrest and the use of firearms for helping people whom the authorities consider to be involved in extremist and terrorist activities. He made the threats in a post on his Instagram account.

According to Chalaev, the Chechen opposition in exile is trying to destabilise the republic and involve young people in illegal activities. He urged residents to refuse suspicious requests, including those involving transporting people.

“If someone asks you in the middle of the night to drive them somewhere, you should understand for yourself that you shouldn’t do it. Later, when you are arrested, saying that you have known them for a long time, knew nothing and were simply giving them a lift will not work. No one will show you any leniency! We will deal with you without trial or investigation! We cannot allow anyone to destroy the peace in the republic, which was achieved at the cost of the lives of hundreds of heroes. So, if you don’t want to catch a bullet, refuse those who ask you for suspicious favours and stay at home,” Chalaev said.

Chalaev has headed the special police regiment since 2019. In 2021, Novaya Gazeta published testimony from former unit member Suleiman Gezmakhmaev about extrajudicial executions of detainees and torture at the regiment’s premises. Chalaev and his subordinates denied the newspaper’s allegations. The commander is also known for publicly threatening critics of the Chechen authorities.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Chalaev has taken part in combat on Russia’s side, leading his unit. In May 2021, he was awarded the title of Hero of Russia.

In September 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Chalaev as part of measures targeting individuals whom the British authorities consider involved in the forcible transfer of Ukrainian children, their ideological indoctrination and militarisation. He is also subject to sanctions imposed by the United States, Canada, Switzerland, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.