Analysts assessed Barinov's reaction to the name changes in Chechnya

The intervention of the head of the Federal Agency for Nationalities Affairs in the conflict between General Shamanov and the Chechen leadership demonstrates the extent of dissatisfaction with Kadyrov's actions in Moscow, although his statement is merely formal.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," on September 25, the State Duma debated bills to rename three Chechen cities, and deputies  approved them  in the first reading. General Vladimir Shamanov, a veteran of the Chechen wars, called the renaming of Cossack villages in Chechnya an erasure of historical memory after the republic's Russian-speaking population was expelled. Chechen authorities responded directly to his speech only on October 2, when Ramzan Kadyrov called Shamanov a criminal who should be brought to trial. That same day, Kadyrov called Shamanov a "hyena," while State Duma deputy Adam Delimkhanov called him a coward and a saboteur. Kadyrov approached the general, offering him a trip "to the front lines in the SVO zone"; at the same time, he promised Shamanov that they would " meet in court ." Initially, Chechen authorities  used residents to oppose Deputy Shamanov. The Federal Agency for Nationalities Affairs does not support the renaming of the villages of Naurskaya and Shelkovskaya in Chechnya, stated agency head Igor Barinov, responding to a question from Deputy Shamanov. Shamanov himself declined to publicly respond to the statements by the Chechen leadership. 

Shamanov is renowned among a certain part of the Russian elite as the conqueror of Chechnya, according to political scientist  Sergei Boyko , a member of the Adam Smith Council .

"It's surprising that Barinov, instead of distancing himself from the conflict, symbolically supported Shamanov. Apparently, some federal elites are testing Kadyrov's current influence with the renaming issue," he noted.

Therefore, according to the political scientist, one can expect an aggressive reaction from Kadyrov, in particular, an attempt to open a criminal case for war crimes against Shamanov. "Barinov will also face a test of his mettle from some 'boorish' attack from Kadyrov or Delimkhanov," Boyko noted.

Shamanov is perceived as a representative by those who are fed up with Kadyrov's policies, says political scientist and professor at the Russian State University for the Humanities Alexei Kuzmin .

" General Shamanov fought  in Chechnya,  I remember . For that reason, the whole situation with Kadyrov's rule has always been a pain in the neck for him. Because the people in power there are the same people who [during the Chechen campaigns] killed his people... After all, in addition to being a politician, he is also  a military man, and from this point of view, as a military man, he is forced to salute , and as a politician, he is forced to measure his strength. But he is also a living person," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent .

According to the professor, Barinov’s performance is a certain indicator.

"Especially considering the very difficult relationship between the Chechen leadership and the current leadership of the Ministry of Defense, they're making it quite clear [to the Chechen leadership] that the era of freewheeling is ending. Especially since they've truly lost their bearings. There's nothing extraordinary about the idea that in a country at war, no one will tolerate absolute freedom. And those who don't understand will be given an explanation ,"  Kuzmin believes.

Criticizing the republics' leadership's position from the center is fraught with danger, says political scientist, Doctor of Historical Sciences, and Professor at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)  Dmitry Slizovsky .

"At present, any attempt to interfere in interethnic relations by appealing, for example, to the leadership of the Chechen Republic or any of the republics, is highly undesirable. This means that processes are possible that will prove almost uncontrollable in the near future. The raising or stirring up, or bringing into the public sphere, issues related  to  interethnic relations ( by federal officials and deputies) is a very, very dangerous phenomenon today," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to the professor, renaming is, after all, the prerogative of the population of specific administrative-territorial entities, including republics.

"Attempts to rename or otherwise amend the administrative- territorial structure and names of cities  , towns , villages, settlements, and auls are the prerogative of local authorities and, most importantly, the population of these territories. Failure to understand this is extremely dangerous ,"  Slizovsky explained .

According to political scientist  Dmitry Abrasimov ,  Barinov did not directly support Shamanov.

"He claimed there was a legal error in that they failed to organize public hearings on this issue. Yes, this is the prerogative of regional authorities, but they should have followed procedure," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to the political scientist, Shamanov has no political clout at either the federal or regional levels. "He is respected by the 'brotherhood of paratroopers,' those who fought in Chechnya, including under his command. But you can't say he has any political clout," Abrasimov believes.

Shamanov's comments about Chechnya bear no criminal intent, and prosecuting the general for his actions during the Chechen campaigns is not in the Kremlin's interests. The Chechen authorities' attacks against him could be qualified as insults or slander, but Russian authorities will try to hush up the conflict, analysts previously interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" stated, commenting on the legal prospects of the Kadyrov-Shamanov conflict. 

Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/416165