Did'nt followed so closely the events, i remember them being involved in this or that situation but not much the details
Iirc in tv specials they was portrayed essentially as less advanced tech toys wise but more ruthless kind of troops (compared to russians), if that's so would not be that surprised if ukranians defending their land + western toys/intelligence would be very bad match up for them
My very ignorant impression is that intelligence is playing an huge role in this war (like, it ever does, but here in particular)
Crazy to think not so many years ago chechens had no more hated enemy than russians, shit was horrible iirc
Wonder if Belarus position is changing too
I admit also on Belarus case did'nt followed much their involvement (example if there was belarus troops, officially or not), aside iirc they essentially see themselves as basically Russia and gave their south border to russians to attack from north
For some reason feels they may be less inclined to collaborate but also not much likely to start have pissed off/complaining mood, iirc Lukashenko wanted hard to be considered an high figure in russian world
May be wrong but have the impression while chechens at some point may revive bit of old bad blood as reason to leave a failed war, belarus may just stick as declared sympathizer but try to do less as possible if things keep go shitty for russians
Btw craziest situation to me is China and their "beautiful" slow and relatively peaceful long-view world conquest plan, having suddently no other option than stick ever more with Russia alliance with no much control over what Putin do.
No doubt they're gaining something out of it (example buy at super cheap price), but imho reality is they did'nt needed this and probably it disturb greatly their planned path
Belarus?
When Lukashenko in 1994 th took power, Belarus had huge financial problems and was almost default ....
Belarus also needed to get crude oil for it's 2 large oil refineries and didn't had money....
Lukashenko went to Kremlin for help.1
Russia too then had huge financial problems therefore instead of money offered crude oil and natural gas with discounts.....
&
Then Lukashenko was able to avoid state treasury default in Belarus and to keep refineries working and ensure low utilities bills and gasoline prices in Belarus....
Later he looks that developed economy based on low salaries and to keep this model you need low costs of living...
Like cheap fuel, low utilities bills etc...
One from reasons why he is keeping power is that local KGB and police elite is supporting him.
Next reason is....because if he will be removed, costs of living in Belarus will skyrocket ..
Lukashenko earlier even had not too bad relationships with west.
He also established so called low tax zone : High tech park in order to develop stuff like outsourcing and outstaffing businesses in programming and R&D field...
In 2020 th he get crazy....
Looking for internal enemies who might attack him physically or organize coup and so on...
Spies.traitors etc...
Started internal propaganda with stories that " bad west " wants to attack Minsk and occupy Belarus.
& ^^
Had ordered to intercept large passenger airplane, western owned airplane just legally crossing according to agreed with Belarus scheduled flight plan their airspace....
He used Mig 29 to intercept large casual airplane in order to catch some noname blogger flying from Athens to Vilnius....
After this we don't use flight routes requiring to use Belarus airspace....
Lukashenko now had locked in prisons even a lot of local nonames...
Accused they usually are in extremism etc bullshit...
Basically ....if you are in Belarus....should know that next day might appear in KGB basement or in prison...