Russian Lawmakers Back Renaming of Three Chechen Towns in First Reading

The Russian State Duma has approved in its first reading the renaming of three towns in Chechnya, Orda.kz reports, citing The Caucasian Knot.

Chechen MP Shamsail Saraliev introduced the bills, which were supported by deputies. Under the changes, Sernovodskoye becomes Sernovodsk, Shelkovskaya becomes Terek, and Naurkskaya becomes Nevre.

Ramzan Kadyrov said the renaming was guided by Russian language norms and historical-geographical considerations.

The decision to rename Naurkskaya had already been made by the local council on October 2, 2024.

Critics argue it erases the cultural legacy of the Cossacks. Retired general Vladimir Shamanov, a veteran of the Chechen wars, called the move “an erasure of historical memory after Russian-speaking residents were driven out of the republic.”

State Duma deputy Anzhelika Glazkova added that the process would be funded by Russian taxpayers:

Not only was the Russian-speaking population thrown out, now you’re erasing the names. This is the history of our state. What are you doing? she said, as quoted by RBK.