Ex‑CIA agent turned Kremlin advocate Ritter sells Russian victory narrative in Chechnya visit

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov is recognized as one of the most influential figures in Vladimir Putin's regime. In Grozny, Chechnya's capital, Scott Ritter boasted to the Chechens of their prospective victory and the support of the United States.

Addressing Kadyrov's 25,000-strong army, which was festively attired for the rally, Ritter highlighted the Chechen forces' strength, equipment, and fighting spirit. Ritter offered reassurances of Americans' admiration and respect for the Chechens and speculated on future efforts to strengthen the US-Chechnya relationship, which drew applause from the crowd.

Intriguingly, Ritter delivered his speech in Russian. His fluency was awkward yet coherent.

In the USA, Ritter is viewed as a collaborator with Russian propaganda and is considered a traitor. He has a criminal conviction for pedophilia and sex offenses. Since the onset of the conflict, he has presented himself as a Western expert sympathetic to Russia.

The Kremlin propaganda machinery will likely highlight Ritter as proof that the West is growing tired of the conflict. Ritter has previously labeled US President Joe Biden a "war criminal" and attributed the massacre of civilians in Bucha to Ukrainian police, disregarding evidence pointing to Russian soldiers' involvement in the murders.

Ritter also made assertions about Poland. He claimed that Poland, in conjunction with Hungary, plans to attack Ukraine and reclaim territory they believe to be rightfully theirs. He further threatened that Poland could face reprisals for its support of Kyiv.