Chechen Defector Reveals Drone Guided Him to Ukraine, Says Trust in Akhmat Is Gone

Magomed, a former fighter with Russia’s Akhmat unit, said he chose to defect to Ukraine after losing faith in Moscow’s war effort. He told reporters that a Ukrainian drone guided him away from Russian lines, helping him cross safely. His account adds new detail to a growing pattern of defections among Chechen fighters. Magomed said earlier Chechen soldiers who switched sides made Russian commanders suspicious. As a result, he explained, officers began checking fighters’ phones and tightening surveillance on the troops. Magomed’s escape highlights rising distrust inside Russian ranks. He said the decision to leave was not impulsive. “I chose Ukraine,” he stated, describing the drone’s role as a lifeline that led him out of danger. The defector’s testimony has not been independently verified. Still, it offers a rare inside look at how some Russian fighters are turning against their own command.