Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov is said to be seriously ill. This means that an important support for Putin in the Ukraine war is shaky. This is how it could continue.
A media report has fueled speculation in Russia about the health of Chechen leader and Putin confidant Ramzan Kadyrov. The politician, loyal to the Kremlin and known for his brutal treatment of dissidents, suffers from an incurable disease of the pancreas, the newspaper Novaya Gazeta. Europa, published in exile, wrote on Monday. Here you can read more about it.
If things really are that bad for Kadyrov, it could also become a problem for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Not only do the two have a long history together, Putin is also relying on the support of the Chechen leader in the ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.
Long connection to Putin
Kadyrov and Putin have a long history together. Kadyrov is president of the Russian republic of Chechnya. His father Akhmat was appointed head of Chechnya by Putin – as a reward for turning his back on his army in the second Chechen war in 1999 and fighting on the Russian side instead. In the ten-year war, which claimed many victims among the civilian population, he conquered the region that had previously been considered independent.
Achmat’s office was therefore a thank you for his services in the war. He was then murdered by Islamist rebels in 2004. Officially, Aly Alkhanov took over the affairs in Chechnya, but unofficially Ramzan Kadyrov was already at the top. In 2007, at the age of 30, he officially took over the position. In the 2021 election he was reportedly confirmed in office with 99.6 percent. However, human rights activists criticize the fact that there have been no legitimate and free elections in Chechnya for a long time.
Fearless and corrupt
But Kadyrov is not only accused of election manipulation. He is supposed to finance his exclusive lifestyle through corruption. The 45-year-old is the father of twelve children and the husband of two women. Each of them is said to have built a palace in the Chechen capital Grozny, and according to media reports, a third serves as his seat of government. He is also said to own a villa in Dubai.
Kadyrov is not very squeamish when dealing with critics. The mother of a dissident was violently kidnapped. The moderator of a dissident Telegram channel “disappears”. Shortly afterwards, a video emerged of him committing violence to himself. You can read more about the allegations here.
Kadyrov also appears as a fearless and fierce fighter in the war against Ukraine – and thus plays an indispensable role for Putin. Kadyrov owes his power to Putin, but the dependence has long been mutual.
At the same time, Kadyrov serves the narrative of the “intrepid, religious and warm-hearted war hero” on his channel: he entertains his followers with propaganda videos that show his army’s marches in Chechnya and alleged acts of war in Ukraine. By showcasing his Islamic faith, he also tries to reach the predominantly Muslim Chechen population.
The power apparatus is in danger of crumbling
It is not only likely based on the latest reports that Kadyrov is actually in poor health. There were already rumors about a serious illness last year. At times there was talk that Kadyrov was in a coma.
Current videos on his Telegram channel, which are supposed to show that Kadyrov is not impaired, can hardly calm this seething rumor mill. Because they show the Chechen ruler sitting almost motionless at the table and speaking slowly and obviously with difficulty.
If Kadyrov is really seriously ill and perhaps even soon dead or unable to govern, this could shake up the balance of power in Chechnya. Kadyrov had tailored his power apparatus to suit himself personally and established a veritable cult of personality. If he is no longer at the head of the government, the entire system of power and control risks crumbling. And his preferred solution is currently unlikely.
