Chechnya’s losses in Ukraine may be leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s undoing

Analysis: Putin's ally needs to show enemies at home and abroad his strength, but needs his forces intact to prop up his brutal rule

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is primarily Vladimir Putin's war, but if there is a second man whose name and reputation will be tied to the devastation unleashed by Moscow it is Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

His fighters were part of the first wave assault on the country, and died in large numbers around the Hostomel airbase, with one key commander among those killed.