The Kremlin is reportedly struggling to find a successor to Ramzan Kadyrov following reports that the Chechen leader has been diagnosed with necrotizing pancreatitis, a terminal illness, according to Russian media reports.
Kadyrovalso known as “put onattack dog” or “Putin’s soldier” for his loyalty to Russian President Vladimir Putin has regularly visited Moscow’s Central Clinical Hospital over the years to undergo procedures. He would have been diagnosed with the disease five years ago.
Ukrainian intelligence last year pointed to Kadyrovin poor health, noting last year that he was in a coma.
“There is information that the war criminal Kadyrov is in serious condition and the diseases that were there worsened and caused such a serious condition,” he said. Andrii Yusov, a representative of Ukraine’s military intelligence branch. Former Deputy Prime Minister of Chechnya Akhmad Zakayev also previously stated that he was ill.
He overdosed last year on a pre-operative sedative, causing acute lung failure, according to Novaia Gazeta.
‘Putin’s Foot Soldier’ Posts Scary Training Video to Prove He’s Not Dying
The news of Kadyrov’s terminal illness is reportedly a “source of concern” for the Kremlin as Putin seeks to reinforce Russian influence and control in Chechnya in the coming years, which has been a goal of Moscow for decades.
In 1991, Chechnya’s President Dzhokhar Dudayev declared independence – but Moscow backed down fearing it might inspire other provinces to break away from Russia. In 1994, Russia invaded Chechnya to try to keep it under its control. Five years later, Putin destroyed Chechnya’s capital, Grozny, killing tens of thousands of civilians.
Putin’s operation in Chechnya – where he claimed to be simply carrying out counterterrorism operations – prompted comparisons between Moscow’s strategy and the war in Ukraine.
The loss of the Kremlin’s loyal foot soldier, however, could have a direct impact on domestic support for the war. Kadyrov sent soldiers to fight for Russia in Ukraine. He has also been a vocal supporter of Putin in Russia, supporting the idea of limiting candidates in elections and swearing loyalty to the Russian president in light of Wagner’s march on Moscow.
A potential successor could be Major General Apti Alaudinov, commander of the Chechen special forces volunteer association, who has been working as a deputy in the Main Directorate of Military and Political Work of the Ministry of Defense. Alaudinov was personally appointed to the position by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Some Chechens have already expressed disapproval of Putin and his war in Ukraine. When the war began, some Chechens even joined frontline battalions helping Ukraine resist Russian invasion. In return, some Ukrainians promised to fight for a Free Chechnya as soon as the war ends.
Kadyrov tried to throw cold water on his supposed terminal illness. He posted a video of himself working out on Tuesday, as if to signal that his diagnosis isn’t holding him back. The Kremlin has previously worked to push the narrative that Kadyrov is healthy.
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