A top Chechen general who had played a key role in the years-long “anti-gay purge” in Chechnya targeting members of the LGBTQ community with illegal forced detentions, torture and murder was killed Saturday during fighting in Ukraine.
Magomed Tushayev, who served as a close advisor to Ramzan Kadyrov, the Pro-Putin leader of the Chechen Republic, was leading a regiment of the Chechnya National Guard when he was killed during a battle with Ukraine’s elite Alpha Group over control of Antonov Airport, also known as Hostomel Airport. The international cargo airport and testing facility near Kyiv has been an important landmark strategically throughout the conflict.
Illia Ponomarenko, defense reporter with Ukrainian news outlet The Kyiv Independent, reported the news on Twitter and it was confirmed by a spokesperson for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to the Los Angeles Blade.
Magomed Tushayev, one of Ramzan Kadyrov’s top warlords, has been killed in action in Hostomel.
??Ukraine’s elite Alpha Group is reportedly fighting Chechens in the airfield. pic.twitter.com/bPHgBPK8sL— Illia Ponomarenko (@IAPonomarenko) February 26, 2022
The killing came the same day as Kadyrov released a video denying his side had taken any casualties, claiming: “As of today, as of this minute, we do not have one single casualty, or wounded, not a single man has even had a runny nose.”
“The president [Putin] took the right decision and we will carry out his orders under any circumstances,” he added.
On Tuesday he changed his tune, however, admitting to casualties in a post to Telegram.
“Unfortunately, there are already losses among the natives of the Chechen Republic. Two died…six more were injured to varying degrees,” Kadyrov wrote. “Yes, they kill in war, and that was their choice of profession. And these guys chose to become heroes who gave their lives for the security of the two countries.”
Related: David France on risking his life to reveal the horror of a queer Holocaust in ‘Welcome to Chechnya’
The Los Angeles Blade reports Russian-based human rights organizations confirmed Tushayev played a role in the targeting of LGBTQ Chechens as recently as May of last year, when human rights activist, and a native of Daghestan, Ibragim Selimkhanov was reportedly kidnapped in Moscow and brought to the North Caucasus region of Chechnya. There he was interrogated by Chechen authorities attempting to gain information on the Russian LGBT Network’s associates who assist members of the queer community in the area.
Selimkhanov was later placed in the charge of his mother, who lives in the Chechen capital city of Grozny, where, despite being under surveillance, he was able to escape back to Moscow.
“While I never rejoice at the killing of anyone, his death means one less mass murderer on the loose,” British human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell told The Jerusalem Post on the news of Tushayev’s death.
“Those who live by the sword should not be surprised if they die by the sword. This will mean that he is no longer able to abduct, torture and kill Chechen LGBTs and dissidents, which is a good thing.”
Related: LGBTQ activists protest in support of Ukraine at Stonewall Inn
Prax07
One down, a ton to go.
mikeTigg
There is good news if you look for it!
johncp56
Good!!! karma gets real hate does not work anymore the World has spoken
gjg64
“While I never rejoice at the killing of anyone, …”
I will!!!!
At least one good thing has come out of this horrible war.
Chrisk
Make that a double! I hope he suffered on his way to hell.
MarcyMayer
Magomed Tushayev was a horrible creature.
Chrisk
Only one way to get rid of such evil. Too bad it wasn’t a two for one with the other pycho Kadyrov.
James
That piece of sh*t is in hell now. GOOD RIDDANCE TO A SICK PATHOLOGICAL SERIAL KILLER. MAY HE ROT FOREVER.
aka_Buzz
Ramzan Kadyrov is chickenshit … just like our vile domestic despot wannabes the best we can hope for in their cases are coronary disease.
Whatever method these vile scumbags go … good riddance.
Fahd
As the orange Palpatine would say, “I guess he knew what he was getting into…”
Hard to imagine anyone more deserving; I hope the Ukranians get even better at using those Turkish drones – they’d be ideal for targeting more of these mob captains. The more middle management thugs they take out, the more distracted and demoralized the 19-year old cannon fodder minions will become.
What a deplorable display of 21st century evil Putin and his thugs are.
Polaro
Good.
Kevan1
Good riddance to bad garbage.
scotty
nothing of value was lost.
Polaro
In fact, the world is a better place. I do not say such things lightly
BDAguy
Well played karma, well, played.
KyleMichelSullivan
Sometimes a bullet in the brain is the only way to handle a rabid beast…and he was way into madness. Good riddance.
Doug
Let’s hope Kadyrov is next. He’s a monster.
splunky
SamB is mourning.
inbama
The latest is news of his death may have been premature.
Too bad.
jt1990
I wonder if Russia hired Afghan or Saudi migrants to torture the queer folk to death? The men in the photo look awfully middle eastern in appearance. The inhabitants of that region, especially the males, tend to be natural born psychopaths and sadists, and have a fetish for murdering women and gays (yet raping little boys and farm animals = no problemo under their religion). This makes them perfect for the role of Russia’s “queer disposal unit” And yet liberals want to import these demons by the thousands….take a lesson from this folks!
white-queer-african
@jt1990, where the puck did you fall out from? Deflecting a trait displayed by all right-wing commentators on Queerty.
Maybe the one and only SamB et al ?
Bosch
I’m confused, are you describing Arabs or the GOP?
Cam
Another of SamB’s screenames comes in to deflect from the fact that Ukraine just did LGBTQ people a huge favor, and instead uses it to post a rac-ist screed against over a billion people.
Your troll game, as always is sad and weak. But then again, we get it, you’re just a sad little troll.
Jim
Remember gay residents in Chechnya still need help as are those in Afghanistan. And now Ukraine
Check Rainbow Railroad to see how you can help.
Kangol2
The same is true of gay residents of Russia, don’t forget! It’s not a safe place for LGBTQ people either.
Cam
Thank you Ukraine!
jt1990
I forgot to mention it, but I was rooting for the queers on this one. My apologies Cam!
Cam
No (@jt1990, @SamB, @BarryM, @openminded, @TheABSOLUTETruth, @TheREALTruth, etc..)
What you were trying to do is pretend you weren’t an anti-LGBTQ troll for a minute so you could write a paragraph talking about how all Arabs are born psychopaths.
We get it, your racism overpowered your anti-LGBTQ bigotry for this thread.
stafcoyote
Magomed Tushayev will be welcome in hell, where Satan and his devils will happily rape him through eternity.
Invader7
Good riddance.. The evil despot is dead dead dead….Now Putin and his cabal of war mongers need to go next !! Plus a lot of psycho American republicans can journey their way to HELL !!!
Ginger Tom
The Lord Giveth and The Lord Taketh Away. His timing is a bit off sometimes but He seems to have got it right on this occasion.
johncp56
hate gets you canceled properly like this guy Bye macho hate