A video circulating on social media shows Russian President Vladimir Putin kissing a copy of the Holy Quran during his current visit to Chechnya on Wednesday, marking his first visit in about 15 years. In the video, Putin is seen picking up a gold-embellished version of the Quran, kissing it, placing it on his chest, and taking a commemorative photo with the Quran alongside Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov.
Putin listened to Chechen Mufti Salah Megeyev explain some verses from the Quran and then gifted the Quran to the famous "Prophet Isa" mosque in the Chechen capital, Grozny. Chechen forces are participating in the Russian military operation within Ukrainian territory, and Kadyrov informed Putin that Chechnya has sent over 47,000 soldiers to fight in Ukraine since the war began, including about 19,000 volunteers.
Chechen forces are deployed in Kursk, which has faced a Ukrainian assault since August 6, during which they seized dozens of villages and towns in a surprise military operation that shocked both the Kremlin and the West. After kissing the Quran, #Putin trends on social media platforms.