Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov's Health Worsens, Raising Succession Concerns

Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Chechnya and a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been experiencing worsening health conditions in recent months, according to medical sources. Kadyrov, who was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis in 2019, has seen his condition worsen significantly, raising concerns about his future as the leader of the Russian republic.

The Chechen leader has been receiving treatment at Russia's elite Central Hospital for the past five years. In the spring of 2022, his condition reportedly worsened, and in September 2023, he was hospitalized due to a serious lung crisis after an overdose of sleeping pills. "The old leader will not be here anymore, the illness has seriously affected him," a close source stated.

Kadyrov's health issues have sparked rumors about the Kremlin's preparations for a regime change in Chechnya. The silence on Kadyrov's condition may be due to the desire to maintain control over information and avoid destabilizing politics in the region, where Kadyrov has played a central role and maintained a close relationship with the Russian government.

Why this matters: The uncertainty surrounding Kadyrov's health and potential succession has significant implications for the stability of Chechnya and Russia's broader political landscape. As a staunch ally of Putin, Kadyrov has been instrumental in maintaining control over the region, and his absence could lead to a power vacuum and potential unrest.

According to an investigation by Novaya Gazeta Europe, Kadyrov has been living with a potentially fatal illness, reportedly pancreatic necrosis, for over five years. The Kremlin is said to be working on a plan for a managed transfer of power in Chechnya, with Major General Apti Alaudinov, the commander of Kadyrov's Akhmat military unit, named as a potential successor favored by the Kremlin.

Kadyrov, known as "Putin's attack dog" for his loyalty to the Russian president, has been a vocal supporter of Putin and has sent soldiers to fight for Russia in Ukraine. The news of his terminal ailment has reportedly caused concern in the Kremlin, as Putin looks to shore up Russian influence and control in Chechnya.

Despite the reports of his deteriorating health, Kadyrov has responded by posting a video of himself working out, seemingly to signal that his diagnosis is not holding him back. However, experts suggest that the situation in Chechnya is unlikely to descend into chaos unless there is a regime change in the Kremlin before Kadyrov leaves power, and that a projection of stability is expected regardless of how the succession is handled.

Key Takeaways

• Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov's health deteriorating, raising succession concerns.
• Kadyrov hospitalized in 2023 due to lung crisis after sleeping pill overdose.
• Kremlin preparing for potential regime change in Chechnya due to Kadyrov's illness.
• Apti Alaudinov, Kadyrov's military commander, named as potential Kremlin-favored successor.
• Stability in Chechnya expected despite Kadyrov's departure, unless Kremlin regime change.