Putin’s strongman and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov is reportedly suffering from a terminal illness and is allegedly looking to appoint his son as his successor in his oppressive rule, as per assessments by Russian analysts.
The infamous leader of Chechnya is planning an escape from the repressive Russian republic – and his efforts have sparked a conflict with Moscow.
Kadyrov, a 48-year-old autocrat, has been a fervent advocate of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and has deployed a significant number of troops in support of the violent conflict in Ukraine.
He has also been accused of violating human rights, including involvement in kidnapping and torture.
After suffering from poor health, Kadyrov is hoping that his son will take over after him.
It is believed that the ruthless Kremlin-ally is suffering from severe kidney and pancreatic issues.
But the brutal warlord does not trust that Putin will appoint his son as the next in line to rule Chechnya, according to experts.
He has now made a few moves which many are speculating could indicate his escape.
Kadyrov has moved his assets abroad – fearing for his family when he dies or is incapacitated by health issues.
Local reports have indicated that the Chechen warlord has initiated clandestine conversations with representatives from various Middle Eastern nations regarding the management of his wealth and the future of his family, all without the authorization of authorities in Moscow.
Russian security services discovered the negotiations and informed Putin.
Kadyrov has also appointed his 17-year-old son, Adam, as the head of the police, Chechen state media reported on Monday.
The outlet said that the teenage boy had been appointed “curator” of the Chechen interior ministry.
Kadyrov has awarded his son multiple medals and appointed the teenager to a succession of posts, building him up as crown prince and heir apparent.
When Adam was aged 16, he was put in charge of his father’s security apparatus and given a leadership role at the Vladimir Putin University of Russian Special Forces, in Chechnya.
Leading investigative journalist Andrey Kalitin said Kadyrov senior’s health is now “very poor” with “tough decisions” over the succession imminent.
Kalitin said: “The Kremlin has two or three candidates.
“Ramzan Kadyrov has one. His name is Adam, he is 17 years old, he has more than 15 awards.”
Even if Putin appointed Adam, he would need a regency-style arrangement until he is 30 under Russian laws.
The boy won his father’s backing after he assaulted a prisoner accused of burning the Quran.
Kadyrov appears distrustful of Putin to appoint Adam as the next ruler.
He has negotiated with Middle East rulers to accept his huge family in exile, already moving assets abroad, according to reports.
Kadyrov is believed to have amassed a vast fortune as a reward for taming war-riven Chechnya since taking over from his assassinated father.
The FSB security service officers reportedly informed Putin, 72, about Kadyrov’s secret high-level negotiations in the Middle East.
Putin likely sees this as a betrayal even though Kadyrov sent troops from his private army when the Russian leader faced a coup bid from now-dead Wagner private army chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in June 2023.
Accused of human rights abuses, Kadyrov has boasted that he has been sanctioned more than anyone by the West.
Rumours have persisted that a bloated Kadyrov has “serious” pancreatic and kidney problems, with photos being carefully edited and never showing him below the chest.
The notorious leader also has a flashy online presence – last year he flaunted his Tesla with a machine gun bolted to its roof.
The Russian Republic of Chechnya is also known for buying Ukrainian prisoners of war and using them as bargaining chips for their own gain.
They buy captives from Russian military units, and use them in negotiations to swap with Chechen captives, according to RadioFreeEurope.
Kadrov’s republic has also used POWs to get sanctions lifted.
In January 2024 Kadyrov offered to release 20 Ukrainian captives in exchange for the removal of US sanctions against his relatives and horses.
The speculation comes as NATO scrambled fighter jets after Putin unleashed a barrage of nuclear-capable bombers on Ukraine.
Russia struck central Kyiv as well as other location in brutal strikes which included kamikaze drones and ballistic missiles.
