Kungaev's death sparked debate about the fairness of Budanov's punishment.
Colonel Yuri Budanov's sentence for the kidnapping and murder of Elza Kungaeva was lighter than that of Yusup Temirkhanov, who killed Budanov, social media users noted, calling such court decisions unfair. They expressed condolences over the death of the girl's father, Visa Kungaev.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot," the father of Elza Kungaeva, a Chechen woman killed by Colonel Budanov, died in Norway. Visa Kungaev is buried in his ancestral village of Tangi-Chu, from where military personnel kidnapped Kungaeva in the spring of 2000.
Yuri Budanov is a former colonel in the Russian army and commander of the 160th Tank Regiment. In July 2003, a court sentenced Budanov to ten years in prison for the kidnapping and murder of 18-year-old Chechen woman Elza Kungayeva. Budanov was released on parole in January 2009, and on June 10, 2011, he was shot and killed. On May 7, 2013, the Moscow City Court found Yusup Temirkhanov guilty of Budanov's murder, sentencing him to 15 years in a maximum-security prison, according to the article "The Murder of Yuri Budanov" published in the Caucasian Knot's "Handbook."
On the Caucasian Knot's Facebook page*, users actively discussed the fate of the Kungayev family and public reaction to the death of Visa Kungayev; the post garnered 250 comments.
The discussion primarily focused on memories of Elza Kungayeva's case, the figure of Yusup Temirkhanov, and assessments of the court rulings in the case. A significant number of users expressed condolences and discussed the justice of the punishment.
Social media users expressed condolences and sympathy to the family.
"Eternal memory to this courageous man! And his tortured daughter!" wrote Zhanna Chkoidze.
"How painful it was to look at him and his wife. How much grief they endured," noted Aminat Satueva.
"He lived with pain in his soul. "And he died," commented Artur Dzhamalov.
"Condolences to the family and the Chechen people," noted Pavel Pavel.
Commentators considered the court decisions in the Kungayeva and Budanov murder cases unfair.
A separate topic was the discussion of the sentences in the Budanov and Temirkhanov cases, with users noting that the sentences were unfair.
Why was the girl's murder sentenced to 10 years, but the murderer's to 15? Is this a fair trial?
"Budanov got 10 years, and Temirkhanov got 15. What a fair verdict," said Avaskan Murzayeva.
"They gave 10 years for the kidnapping and murder of a girl, but 15 years for the murder of this criminal," said Lyudmila Tarba indignantly.
"Why did they give 10 years for the murder of a girl, but 15 for the murder of the killer? Is this a fair trial?,” wrote Roman Yazev.
Some users commented on the justice system in Russia.
“Russian justice has never been known for its honesty and impartiality,” noted Kurman Kipkeev.
“How does legal justice work in Russia? The Russian Budanov was given 10 years for kidnapping, rape, and murder,” wrote Daniyar Zhunisov.
“If he had been convicted to the full extent of the law, no one would have killed him,” expressed the opinion of Ivan Ivanovich Kuzhelivsky.
According to Chechen customs, the page about the tragedy and murder of Elsa Kungayeva is not turned upside down
Some users addressed the topic of adats and traditions.
"According to Chechen adats, the page of the tragedy and murder of Elza Kungaeva has not been turned," says Said-Khusen Madaev.
"After the crime, everyone realized that Budanov was not long for this world," wrote Rinat Amirkhanov.
"Budanov hid in prison, thinking he had been forgotten," noted Zhuban Nurmuhanbet.
In 2018, Visa Kungaev came to Chechnya for Yusupov's funeral Temirkhanov, who was convicted of the murder of Yuri Budanov and died in prison. According to a relative, Temirkhanov's wake in the village of Geldagan was attended by tens of thousands of people, including those from Ingushetia, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Georgia. Seven years earlier, Kungayev, who lived in Norway, told the "Caucasian Knot" that he learned of Budanov's murder from media reports and did not consider it revenge for Elza Kungayeva. "I am the only one who must avenge her," explained the murdered girl's father.
Some participants in the discussion called Temirkhanov a symbolic figure.
"Temirkhanov is a hero," wrote Boris Osadchiy.
"A defender of the honor of the entire Caucasus, Yusup Temirkhanov," noted Akif Abdullaev.
The death of the murdered girl's father caused grief.
Discussion participants recalled the history of the Kungayev family.
"Their story breaks my heart," wrote Artur Pirazhkov.
"There is so much grief on earth," noted Akzhibek Dyusembayeva.
"What a cruel and unfair world," commented Aniko Arshakovna.
A number of users limited themselves to brief expressions of remembrance and grief.
"We remember," wrote Batyr Zakirov.
"Rest in peace," noted Vuqar Vahidzade.
"May he rest in peace," added Temirlan Baradusov.
"May the Almighty receive his soul in heaven," wrote Marat Abdulov.
A number of users recalled lawyer Stanislav Markelov, who represented the Kungayev family in court.
"There are fewer and fewer alive who know the truth, but the victims' lawyer, Stas Markelov, has been gone for 15 years," wrote Gregor Borisov.
After Markelov's murder, Budanov's involvement was speculated about.
Stanislav Markelov and Anastasia Baburova were shot dead on January 19, 2009, in Moscow after a press conference dedicated to the release from prison of former Colonel Yuri Budanov, who had served time for the murder of Chechen woman Elza Kungaeva. In Budanov's case, Markelov represented the injured party. Details are collected in the "Caucasian Knot" report "The Murder of Stanislav Markelov and Anastasia Baburova".
Markelov handled many high-profile cases related to Chechnya and frequently received threats in connection with the high-profile cases he handled. In early January 2009, according to Visa Kungaev, Stanislav Markelov received repeated death threats if he did not stop working on the Budanov case and appealing court decisions on behalf of the Kungaev family regarding Yuri Budanov's early release.
Visa Kungaev voiced the theory that Budanov was involved in the lawyer's murder. "I have no doubt that this is connected with the Budanov case. Back in court, Budanov told Markelov: 'I'll twist your head off, kid.' According to him, 'Budanov has supporters.' "This is Budanov's order, I'm 100% sure. After all, when he was in prison, there were no threats to Stas; he lived peacefully in Moscow. As soon as he was released, Stas was killed," Kungayev told the "Caucasian Knot" in January 2009.
A similar version was expressed by human rights activist Lev Ponomarev (listed as a foreign agent), who also confirmed reports of threats to the lawyer. "The investigation must have two versions: "The first is revenge for Budanov. Perhaps this man was at a press conference, and what he heard prompted him to shoot. A murder in a crowded place doesn't look premeditated." The second theory, according to Ponomarev, is related to revenge by neo-Nazis.
Yevgenia Khasis explained her motives for Markelov's murder after her release.
Yevgenia Khasis, who served time for the murder of Stanislav Markelov and Anastasia Baburova, pleaded guilty to the lawyer's murder after her release.
"I admit my guilt in complicity in the murder of Stanislav Markelov. "According to the court's verdict, I am not guilty of the murder of Anastasia Baburova," Khasis said in a three-hour interview with journalist Ksenia Sobchak, published in December 2025.
She explained her motives for complicity in the crime, but did not express regret or remorse for the lawyer's murder.
"Markelov wasn't just a lawyer. Markelov was a lawyer and public figure, quite vocal at the time, vocal about his ideological views. He was a prominent representative of the so-called liberal movement of the time. "The topics Markelov chose for himself were complex; they touched on topics that were sensitive for a large part of society, particularly regarding the Chechen campaign," Khasis stated.
Khasis confirmed that the lawyer's involvement in the case of Colonel Yuri Budanov "hurt" her.
"Budanov did not admit that he committed a war crime; he was carrying out a combat mission, defending his homeland. And Budanov's position, in my view, is absolutely clearly and correctly formulated. Why should I, as a patriot, question the words of a combat colonel who spends day and night on the front lines? Why should I believe Markelov, who sits on the couch drinking coffee, and listen to his opinion rather than that of Colonel Budanov?" " Khasis says.
She added that she regrets the death of Anastasia Baburova. "I sincerely feel deep sorrow for her and her family. She shouldn't have fallen victim that day," Khasis said.