The 90s have already been mentioned a couple of times. This August, it'll be 20 years since the beginning of the tragic events in Dagestan when it was invaded by the Basayev's and Khattab's gangs. The locals were the first to oppose them back then. Today, we couldn't ignore Dagestan.
Alexander Sladkov is with us live from Botlikh.
- Hello from Botlikh.
It's a mountain area, it's raining here. We were a bit worried about not being able to show you how beautiful it is but the fog is fading. There's the legendary village of Botlikh. 20 years ago this was the place of brutal battles. This basin was in flames. After choosing this place for our broadcast, we discovered shell casings under our feet. Everything here reminds us of the war. These mountains were captured by the terrorists. The Spetsnaz Internal Troops was deployed here; it's called Rosgvardia now. This is the Alilen mountain that was stormed by paratroopers. Blood was spilled and there were casualties, but the paratroopers seized the high ground. Infantry, artillery... Pilots were bombing this place.
However, the first shot fired at the terrorists, and there were over 1,000 of them here, all sorts of international terrorists led by Basayev and Khattab, but the first shot was fired by a militiaman. We're standing here with the participants of those events, the people who risked their lives and the lives of their families, despite any possible negative consequences, took up arms and fought alongside our soldiers, police officers, and special forces operatives.
There's one thing they want to ask, Mr. Putin.
- Greetings, esteemed Mr. Putin. We remember the day you arrived in Botlikh, in our darkest moments. The people's militia of Botlikh was fighting here and managed to protect their land and Russia. Now, there's one thing I'd like to tell you. We saw wounded and dead militiamen here. These militiamen still haven't been granted the status of combat veterans. I'd like to ask you, esteemed Mr. Putin, to resolve this issue, not for us or somebody else, but for the future of Dagestan and Russia, for our grandchildren.
And another thing. Do you remember, back in that soldier tent, you raised a glass for victory, we all stood up and were ready to drink but you told us it wasn't the time? Botlikh is blooming now. We have gas and water. It's beautiful in here. Please, allow us to raise a glass to your health and the victory. Thank you.
Vladimir Putin: Well, speaking of the glass, I hope we'll be able to do it together. I'm curious if the measures adopted during my recent trip to Dagestan are doing anything for Botlikh in particular. Regarding those events, I'll remember them for the rest of my life. I remember how the people of Dagestan acted back then. I remember what was happening. And I remember when they addressed me. The country doesn't expect to hear that from me but I'm going to say it anyway. When the people of Dagestan addressed me, saying: "If Russia is unable or unwilling to protect itself and us, give us weapons".
I remember another situation when village leaders approached our troops when the latter were deployed there and asked them: "Why don't you use artillery?" Our commander told them: "We don't want to destroy your houses. You've been building them here for generations." I was shocked by their answer. "It's okay, shoot". But that doesn't apply to Botlikh alone. That applies to other communities as well. We shouldn't forget the Tsumadinsky District whose residents didn't let the bandits enter their territory. That applies to other communities whose residents took up arms and defended, you were right to say that, themselves, their homeland, and all of Russia from the international terrorist gangs. Those were international gangs, well trained and equipped.
The Constitution Court has already made a decision on the matter and concluded that the current legislation allows to make this decision on a regional level but it's clear that the republic doesn't have the required funds. That's why I agree with you and fully support your initiative. We need to adopt the status, it's not a difficult thing to do. We just need to add the militiamen to the appropriate list of the effective law that would give you and your brothers-in-arms from the militia the status of combat veteran. I order the government to do it, and do it ASAP. The only difficulty is making the appropriate lists. But I believe that's not an issue, considering that the people are alive and well and that you're going to help us do it.
