Alleged civil rights abuses within Chechnya have also drawn international attention. Babitsky was believed be missing while reporting in Chechnya and it was later discovered that Russian forces had detained Babitsky and flown him to Moscow. Babitsky accused Russia of civil rights abuses including the torturing of Chechen inmates at the Chernokozovo detention camp, which is located north of Grozny. He has been charged with possessing false documents and is required to stay in Moscow while the investigation continues. Russia has been criticized for its war in Chechnya although the campaign continues to be popular among the Russian public.
Recent polls reflect that the majority of the Russian population seems to favor the war.
The fact that the war remains popular has led many to accuse the government of exploiting it to bolster support for the current regime. They point to the Grozny campaign, which was completed near the time of the Presidential and parliamentary elections, as an example. Those who believe the regime is exploiting the war also point to supposed falsities the in reporting of events. Casualty figures, along with allegedly exaggerated reports of victory have been central to the matter. For example, the casualty figures for the Grozny campaign were viciously scrutinized, as they did not contain the number of Russian interior ministry troops killed.