Chechnya's leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, reacted strongly to criticism from State Duma deputy General Vladimir Shamanov of the initiative to rename the villages of Naurskaya and Shelkovskaya (now Nevre and Terek). He called Shamanov's claims of "erasing history" "lies and an insult to the people who live on this land."
According to Kadyrov, the opinions of representatives of all ethnic groups living in the villages, including Russians and Cossacks, were taken into account when making the decisions. He emphasized that the goal of the initiative is "to maintain order and respect for true history." In a Telegram post, he noted that all conditions for comfortable living for citizens of various ethnicities and faiths have been created in the Shelkovskaya and Naursky districts, including the construction of churches and houses. Kadyrov contrasts this work with Shamanov's "empty cries" about "rewriting history."
"I'm addressing you personally, Shamanov. If the word 'patriot' is anything but an empty phrase for you, gather your fellow supporters and head to the front lines in the SVO zone. Let's see your 'skills.' We know firsthand the 'wealth of experience' you've accumulated by tormenting civilians. Therefore, you have no moral right to sit in the Duma and pose as a 'people's defender.' Stop hiding behind your parliamentary mandate and grandiose words. You publicly defended Budanov, the murderer of a defenseless Chechen girl. For us, he will forever remain a symbol of the atrocities and shame of that time, and your name now stands alongside his. You must kneel and ask the Chechen people for forgiveness for the murder of civilians, the looting, and the destruction," Kadyrov concluded.
Earlier, Shamanov stated in the State Duma that "we are being asked to rename Cossack villages that have historical names." Not only did you first expel the Russian-speaking population, but now you're erasing their names."
As a reminder, Shamanov became notorious during both Russian-Chechen wars for the 58th Army units under his command, which were particularly brutal toward civilians, violated the rights of the local population, and committed looting. In Chechnya, he is called a "murderer" and a "war criminal." It was under his command that Colonel Yuri Budanov, who in March 2000 abducted Elsa Kungayeva, an 18-year-old resident of the village of Tangi-Chu, in an armored personnel carrier, subsequently took her to his unit, raped, and murdered her. Shamanov, however, defended the killer in every way, calling him a "true officer" and "a treasure of Russia."
