Could Ramzan Kadyrov, in power in Chechnya since 2007, be about to die? This is what a series of articles from the Russian opposition newspaper reveals “Novaya Gazeta Europe” published this week.
According to the independent investigative media, which is based on anonymous sources in the medical community, the Chechen dictator has suffered from pancreatic necrosis since 2019, an irreversible damage to the organ associated with a high mortality rate, and for several months of a mysterious degenerative brain disease.
The “distress” of his close circle
His state of health has reportedly gradually deteriorated since 2022. Last September, information from the Ukrainian press, citing sources within the Chechen diaspora and confirmed to the media “Obozrevatel” by Ukrainian intelligence, even indicated that he was in coma, “seriously” ill. This is confirmed by the investigation by “Novaia Gazeta Europe”, which mentions “acute pulmonary failure” due to an overdose of medication.
“I strongly advise all those who cannot distinguish truth from lies on the Internet to take some fresh air, to put their minds in order,” Ramzan Kadyrov wrote in response, in a message accompanying a short video selfie tour, undated.
Still according to information from “Novaya Gazeta Europe”, the latest results of the Chechen leader’s MRI would have caused “distress” among his close circle. A source close to Adam Delimkhanov, a senior Chechen commander close to Kadyrov, even indicated that he “would no longer be the same” and that the illness would “greatly affect” him.
Two videos broadcast
A few hours after the “Novaya Gazetta Europe” article, a video was published on Kadyrov’s Telegram channel, where he appears in the middle of a meeting with Chechen security forces. Staring straight ahead, he is motionless and speaks slowly. Another video was later posted overnight, where Kadyrov, dressed in a blue tracksuit, lifts weights in a gym.
The Kremlin looking for a successor?
To dispel rumors about the state of health of its faithful ally, the Kremlin launched a vast press campaign to show Ramzan Kadyrov in good health for several months. But his absence during Putin’s address to the nation on February 29 reignited rumors about his state of health.
According to information from “Novaya Gazeta Europe”, the Kremlin is already looking for a successor in Chechnya, a small Russian republic with a Muslim majority in the Caucasus, historically unstable. Apti Alaudinov, who has just been appointed by Putin’s decree as deputy to the Main Directorate of Military and Political Work of the Defense Ministry, would be well placed to get the job.