The North Caucasus, the Future of Russia, and Foreign Fighters in Ukraine

Abstract

The article documents the different groups of Caucasian foreign fighters in Ukraine and their relationships with other military groups. It then investigates the potential impact of those foreign fighters on the North Caucasus and the stability of the Russian Federation. It concludes by challenging the assumption that the North Caucasus might become the epicenter of a national movement leading to the collapse of Russia and suggesting that insurgent activities might increase in Western Russia instead.