Members of Russia’s military and security services in Chechnya. Yelena Afonina / TASS
The Telegraph: Beard row as new Russian army chief orders all troops to shave
The commander of Russia’s forces in Ukraine has ordered soldiers to cut their hair and shave, sparking a row with his bearded Chechen and mercenary allies.
Chechnya’s leader Ramzan Kadyrov criticised the order as a deliberate “provocation” and said it was a distraction from the real business of fighting. “Let’s just drop our guns and go and shave,” Mr Kadyrov said on his Telegram channel. “What kind of nonsense is this?”
Western intelligence said that General Valery Gerasimov, appointed overall commander of Russia’s forces earlier in January by Vladimir Putin, was trying to promote more discipline in the Russian army.
Read more ….
UK Intelligence Says Commander Of Russia’s Forces In Ukraine Has Ordered Soldiers To Cut Their Hair And Shave
Russia’s new commander in Ukraine tells his troops: police that mustache — Task & Purpose
Kadyrov, Prigozhin slam prohibition on Russian soldiers’ beards — Reuters
Leaders of Chechnya, Wagner blast Russian army beard ban — Al Jazeera