Reports from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) have raised concerns about the health of Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader known for his staunch support of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
According to sources, Kadyrov has fallen into a coma due to a severe illness that has plagued him for some time.
Uncertainty Looms Over Chechnya’s Future Amid Kadyrov’s Health Crisis
Speculation suggests that he may need to be transferred out of Chechnya, likely to the United Arab Emirates, for medical treatment.
Kadyrov’s close ties with President Putin date back to the Second Chechen War that began in 1999. While he and his father, Akhmad Kadyrov, initially opposed the Russians in the First Chechen War in 1994, they switched sides during the second invasion by Russia.
By 2003, they had gathered significant militia support, and Akhmad Kadyrov was appointed President of Chechnya.
After his father’s assassination in 2004 and a couple of interim presidents, Ramzan Kadyrov was appointed President of the Republic by Putin himself in 2007.
One of his key responsibilities was maintaining control over Chechnya to prevent any challenge to the Kremlin’s authority.
However, with Kadyrov potentially in a coma, the future of Chechnya’s stability is uncertain.
Sources suggest that a potential successor to Kadyrov might be his cousin, Adam Delimkhanov. Delimkhanov, a hero of Russia and the head of the Chechen branch of the Rosgvardia, could garner substantial support from both Russia and Kadyrov’s loyalists.
However, Delimkhanov has not been publicly seen since June of the current year and was reported as missing in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast of Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces claimed to have killed him in an artillery strike.
With Kadyrov’s health in jeopardy, the power vacuum created could lead to chaos as various members of Kadyrov’s inner circle and those suppressed by his rule vie for control of the Republic.
For President Putin, this uncertainty comes at a challenging time.
Read more: Ramzan Kadyrov, Key Putin Ally, Battling Critical Health Issues
Health Concerns for Ramzan Kadyrov Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict
With Russia already heavily engaged in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the prospect of renewed violence in Chechnya is a significant concern.
Russian forces are stretched thin, making it difficult for them to intervene effectively.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has stated that it has no information regarding Ramzan Kadyrov’s health. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, commented on the matter, saying, “We have no information on this.”
Peskov also pointed out that the presidential administration cannot issue health certificates.
Rumors about Kadyrov’s health started circulating after reports from the Ukrainian news outlet Obozrevatel cited an SBU spokesperson, who claimed that Kadyrov was in ‘serious condition’ and that his existing health issues had worsened.
While these claims lack concrete evidence, they follow months of rumors suggesting that Kadyrov was suffering from kidney problems.
Ramzan Kadyrov has been a vocal supporter of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, and Chechen soldiers have fought alongside regular Russian forces in the conflict.
Known as a former rebel warlord turned Kremlin ally, Kadyrov has faced accusations of ordering extrajudicial killings and torture of his opponents while ruling majority-Muslim Chechnya.
His role as a key figure in Russian politics, especially in the context of the Ukraine conflict, adds significance to the uncertainty surrounding his health.
Read more: Putin’s Presidential Plans: Spokesman Says Undecided, Expert Cries Political Drama