Do we have any kind of statistics for how often rebels actually take tourists hostage in Grozny, Chechnya, Russia?
Both Wikitravel and Wikivoyage warn about the dangers of being kidnapped if you visit Grozny, the capital of Chechnya. Wikivoyage has this wording:
Rebels often take tourists as hostages, so try to blend in with the population.
I knew a guy from Grozny a few years ago when I was working in a hostel in Tbilisi Georgia and he was always telling me how safe it is there these days with Kadyrov in control and being good buddies with Putin.
While I'm sure it's not safe like Japan, it does seem that the articles have stagnated and are not kept up to date, like many other pages on those sites for places western tourists don't commonly visit.
So what is factually available to us such as recent reports in the news or official or unofficial statistics just regarding kidnapping in Grozny in recent years?
Best Answer
It's complicated.
As for the "good buddies" thing, the relationship got better in a certain way, due to Kadyrov allowing his countrymen to go fight in Ukraine. On the other hand, certain tensions arise: e.g. several weeks ago some cops from another region killed a suspect in Chechnya, after which Kadyrov declared that any non-Chechen policeman may be fired upon if he doesn't warn local authorities.
So... most likely, local police will do their best to protect any foreigner in order to avoid a scandal. Kidnappings aren't likely to occur in Grozny itself, but rather in remote villages. But things may change any moment.
Pictures about "Do we have any kind of statistics for how often rebels actually take tourists hostage in Grozny, Chechnya, Russia?"
Why is Chechnya so important to Russia?
The North Caucasus, a mountainous region that includes Chechnya, spans or lies close to important trade and communication routes between Russia and the Middle East, control of which have been fought over by various powers for millennia.Are Chechens fighting for Russia?
Pro-Ukrainian forces A number of anti-Kadyrov Chechens have volunteered to fight alongside Ukrainian forces, such as with the Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion or the Sheikh Mansur Battalion who are fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine since 2014.Why was Chechnya at war with Russia?
The debate in Chechnya over independence ultimately led to a small-scale civil war since 1992, in which the Russians covertly tried to oust the government of Dzhokhar Dudayev. The First Chechen War began in 1994, when Russian forces entered Chechnya to restore constitutional order.Who attacked Chechnya in 1994?
The attack lasted from December 1994 to March 1995, which resulted in the military occupation of the city by the Russian Army and rallied most of the Chechen nation around the government of Dzhokhar Dudayev. 60,000 (est.)The real life in Grozny | Is Chechnya republic of Russia safe for traveling?
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