Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s death could destabilize Russia – Dagsavisen

Recently, rumors have spread that Ramzan Kadyrov, Putin’s friend and acting Prime Minister of the Russian Republic of Chechnya, is in poor health – and possibly dead.

So far, none of these claims have been proven true. Last Sunday, a video was posted on Kadyrov’s Telegram channel in which the Chechen leader denies rumors that things are bad for him.

“I strongly encourage everyone who can’t tell the difference between truth and lies on the Internet to go for a walk, get some fresh air and collect your thoughts,” the post reads.

Ramzan Kadyrov has ruled the Russian Republic of Chechnya since 2007, when he was appointed by Putin. Since then, the man has become an important supporter of the Russian president. Among other things, he supported Russia in the war against Ukraine, in the form of men and equipment, and called himself “Putin’s soldier.”

[ «Putins blodhund» skal være alvorlig syk: – Grunn til uro i Moskva ]

Connections with the criminal world

says Alexander Terkasov, an expert on the North Caucasus at the human rights organization Memorial SVT Kadyrov is important to the Kremlin because he is the guarantor of stability in the North Caucasus. In addition, his death could cause unrest beyond the borders of the republic – as well as within Russia, the expert believes.

– Oddly enough, Kadyrov’s departure could destabilize the underworld. Some of Kadyrov’s representatives act as what he calls “decision makers.” He says they are the legal guarantors of the Russian criminal world.

Cherkasov believes that many Chechens will celebrate Kadyrov’s death, but many of them also fear that day will come. When that happens, Eileen Johnson, SVT’s Ukraine correspondent, believes Russia may try to replace Kadyrov with someone who takes on the same important role of nurturing a good relationship with Russia and keeping calm in Chechnya.

– But at the same time, the agreement between Putin and Kadyrov is largely based on their personal friendship, and many people in the Russian administration hate Kadyrov. The question is what will happen the day both Putin and Kadyrov are gone, she told SVT.

[ Ekspert om Putins krig: – «Science fiction» og 1. verdenskrig kombinert ]

-No weak spots will be shown

Inna Sanjadzhieva, of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, told NTB last week that the Kremlin had good reason to be concerned if it turned out that Kadyrov was indeed seriously ill.

She said that the stability of Chechnya depends primarily on Kadyrov’s personal relationship with Putin, which has led to massive financial support plans from Moscow to the region.

Sangadzhieva has a Russian background and is the Head of the Europe and Central Asia Section of the Helsinki Committee. She believes that Moscow’s fear of reactions to a weakened Kadyrov is the reason why they have remained silent about a possible illness.

– You believe that the Russian regime does not want to show any weaknesses around its regular forces, of which Ramzan Kadyrov was an important part.

[ Ekspert: Dette er grunnen til at Putin og Kim ønsker å skape tettere bånd ]

[ – 4 av 5 russiske soldater borte fra grensa til Norge ]