Expert says North Caucasus cannot exist without Russia

The former head of military intelligence in Chechnya, General Sergey Kanchukov, told a VK correspondent that the current situation surrounding the struggle against terrorism in the North Caucasus was favourable.

"A lot has been done in the spheres of economy, politics and defense," he said and added that the existing problems would be solved as well.

According to the expert, the separatist movement exists mainly mechanically. There are many people who cannot integrate into Russian society, and they form the core of this movement, he believes.

Another reason is support from international terrorist groups, the expert says.

The general also underlines that the North Caucasus can survive only as a part of Russia. "The elite and the population understand it. Everyone is interested in that," he said.