Senior Russian Muslim clerics have backed the Kremlin's line on the invasion, including Gainutdin, Tadzhuddin, Krganov. Samigullin (Tatarstan) and Il'dar (Moscow) have been more circumspect, calling for prayers for peace.
The Chechen strongman Kadyrov has impatiently called for further Russian escalation and cheered on his loyalists fighting in Ukraine as part of the invasion forces.
But there's more: a Telegram channel has shown a video of Ukrainian fighters smearing ammunition with pork grease and insulting Chechens. Others make reference to fighting "Orcs" and the "horde."
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Mufti Said Ismagilov has called for Ukrainian unity against Russian aggression, criticizing his counterparts in Russia for justifying the invasion on religious grounds and mobilizing resistance alongside other Ukrainians.
The war is likely to further unsettle ethnic relations throughout the region - and put into question the domestic and international legitimacy of Russian Muslim religious authorities who have entered the fray on the side of the Kremlin.
Beyond the traumatic effects of the war on Ukrainian soil, Russia's sanctions-induced economic crisis will hit its Muslim migrant diaspora communities hard and bleed into the Caucasus and Central Asia.
This war is creating a very grim future for all of Eurasia.
Robert Crews -- history professor - student of Afghanistan, Russia, Central/South Asia, Islam, global politics - editor - Afghanistan journal.
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