Chechen leader backs Putin, says forces moving into 'zones of tension'
The powerful head of Chechnya, the semi-independent Russian region, Ramzan Kadyrov, said on Saturday he supported President Vladimir Putin.
Kadyrov saiud he fully backs Putin and called Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's actions "treacherous."
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Kadyrov has tens of thousands of heavily armed fighters. He said his forces are already moving to "zones of tension."
It raises prospect of Chechen forces fighting with Wagner Group troops.
Kadyrov has previously been friendly with Prigozhin -- his coming out in support of Putin is a boost for Putin, but also raises prospect of serious clashes in Russia.
-ABC News' Patrick Reevell