Pronunciation: EEKH-TAHM-NEE-EHT
Plural: ikhtamnets; ikhtamnety
Russian troops taking part in a military conflict in another country's territory whose presence is denied by the Russian government.
If evidence is presented that proves that these troops are, in fact, Russian, the Russian government comes up with the lamest excuse possible (usually saying that these troops have left the army years prior, and came into the conflict zone by their own
will) in order to try and avoid international outrage and/or sanctions. This, of course, never works, because, to
Russia's disappointment, people aren't generally
stupid enough to fall for that.
The term gained popularity among the people of post-Soviet countries after
Russia's annexation of Crimea and parts of Donbas.
The term comes from Russian "Их там нет" (They are not there).
Ukrainian general: Hey, we captured this
guy near Donetsk, and he admitted on camera that he is currently serving in the Russian army! His papers also prove it! How do you explain that?!
Putin: What do you
mean? That
man hasn't been in the army since 2011! Here's a document proving it.
Ukrainian general: You're starting the whole "ikhtamnet" thing again, aren't you?
