On August 8, Major General Apti Alaudinov, the Commander of the Akhmat special forces and Deputy Head of the Main Military-Political Department of the Defense Ministry, announced in a video that fighters from the Akhmat special forces had arrived in the Kursk region to participate in battles against the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). 

Alaudinov reported that the situation in the region was not critical and reassured that “nothing supernatural” had happened. He dismissed rumors that the Ukrainian military was preparing for a tough defense of already occupied settlements, explaining that the Ukrainian forces had entered these settlements because Russian forces in the area lacked the necessary means, forces, and resources to hold them.

Alaudinov further explained that the only line of defense was the border, and initially, the AFU managed to pass between Russian (Chechen) strongholds due to the long distances, allowing them to advance into the territory and position their equipment. According to him, the AFU had concentrated all its resources on attacking the Kursk region, and once Russian forces destroyed these resources, the Ukrainian side would have nothing left to resist. "Once we destroy these resources, I am more than sure that further on, they will have nothing to oppose us anymore. And the front has already sprinkled," Alaudinov stated.

However, Alaudinov also admitted that his fighters had 'narrowly missed' the Ukrainians making their way into Russia, acknowledging that Ukrainian forces had advanced around 10 kilometers into Kursk Oblast. Alaudinov confirmed that Russian troops had suffered casualties.

Contrary to Alaudinov's account, the Telegram channel "VChK-OGPU" and military blogger Yuri Kotenok presented a different narrative. They reported that the Chechen units did not put up significant resistance. Kotenok noted that during combat reports, there were no mentions of Chechen forces actively engaging in the defense of the Kursk region. He also pointed out that prior reports of Chechen fighters performing a celebratory dance in Suzhna (likely referring to Sudzha) seemed disconnected from the current situation. The "VChK-OGPU" Telegram channel reported that while "Akhmat" fighters initially participated in battles in the Kursk region, they later "ran away," with at least 15 wounded in the Korenevsky district. This report suggested that the Chechen forces dispersed during the early strikes, allowing Ukrainian troops to advance deeper into the region.

Notably, since early April, reports have indicated the redeployment of fighters from Ramzan Kadyrov’s units to the Kursk region. The Focus publication cited sources in the special services confirming the deployment of the 1434th Akhmat-Russia Regiment and three battalions from the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division, including the 71st Motorized Rifle Regiment from Chechnya. Vladimir Bitsak, Deputy Chairman of the Sumy District Council, confirmed the transfer of four Chechen fighter battalions to the Kursk region. Ramzan Kadyrov himself confirmed the presence of Chechen fighters in the Kursk region. In early April, the then-speaker of the Chechen parliament, Magomed Daudov, relayed gratitude from the heads of the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk regions, highlighting the successful defense by Chechen troops. However, claims of a successful raid into Ukraine and the capture of the village of Ryzhevka by the Akhmat-Chechnya unit were later proven false, as the village had been in a gray zone since the beginning of the war.

Other reports 

The regions of the North Caucasus Federal District have expressed their readiness to provide necessary assistance to the injured residents of Kursk Region following a massive attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). During a meeting with members of the Russian government, Russian President Vladimir Putin called on regional leaders to offer support to the Kursk Region. Following this, Stavropol Governor Vladimir Vladimirov stated that the Stavropol Territory is prepared to receive displaced residents from the affected areas and to assist the wounded. Vladimirov mentioned that he had instructed the regional Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Protection to coordinate with the government of the Kursk Region to determine their specific needs. Additionally, Sergey Menyaylo, the head of North Ossetia, and Mahmud-Ali Kalimatov, the head of Ingushetia, along with other leaders from the North Caucasus, also expressed their regions' readiness to provide support.

On August 9, according to the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, the situation in the Kursk region is expected to stabilize within just a few days. Although he did not provide specific details on what actions or events would lead to this stabilization, it is known that one of the detachments from the Akhmat unit is currently stationed in the region.

Russian military expert Boris Rozhin suggested that when Ramzan Kadyrov mentioned the situation stabilizing within a few days, he was likely referring to the timing of the approach of the main reserves. Rozhin noted that while the situation in the Kursk region had not yet stabilized, with the enemy still posing significant challenges, there were signs over the past 24 hours that the dynamics of the fighting might be shifting. He emphasized the importance of preventing the loss of key locations such as Korenevo and Suja and avoiding a direct breakthrough towards Lgov and Kurchatov. Rozhin indicated that if these objectives were achieved in the coming days, the process of managing the aftermath would continue. Rozhin described the situation as complicated, warning against both overly optimistic narratives, which he referred to as 'stories in the style of 'everything is fine beautiful Marquise,'' and panicked reactions, which he deemed equally harmful. 

Akhmat Commander Alaudinov Denies Surrender Rumors, Highlights Ukrainian Losses

On August 12, Apty Alaudinov, the Commander of the Akhmat Special Forces, reported the destruction of 12 units of Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) equipment in the Kursk direction. 

According to Alaudinov, the fighters have caused significant disruption to the enemy, who, unable to respond effectively, resorted to spreading false information, claiming that members of the Akhmat forces had surrendered. "Not a single one of our fighters has surrendered into captivity. The guys fight like lions. If this is our fighter, why hide his face? Show it, and give his call sign. Make the commander ashamed," Alaudinov emphasized.

He also criticized the enemy's capabilities, stating that they do not justify the money spent by the United States. "You poor people. You can't write, you can't read. You are absolutely illiterate. You don't even know how to fight. You thought you could do a blitzkrieg. It didn't work. We lost so much equipment and personnel that it would probably be very hard for us to destroy you in such numbers if you were sitting in your holes," he stated.

Alaudinov assured that victory is near, adding, "Yes, we will have to work. We will work. We will do our best to make you squeal even more. Squeal. It's all right," he concluded.