Kadyrov Appoints 20-Year-Old Son as Acting Deputy Prime Minister of Chechnya

Ramzan Kadyrov, 49, has ruled Chechnya with sweeping autonomy since 2007 in exchange for loyalty to the Kremlin. Exiled media outlets have documented the family’s lavish lifestyle, including fleets of luxury cars, expensive watches and extravagant weddings.

Akhmat Kadyrov’s latest promotion comes amid renewed speculation about his father’s health.

The exiled news website Novaya Gazeta Europe reported in 2024 that Kadyrov suffers from a serious illness, possibly pancreatic necrosis, while Kremlin PR specialists were said to be working to conceal his condition.

Last week, the outlet reported that Kadyrov was urgently hospitalized in Moscow on the eve of the annual State Council meeting chaired by President Vladimir Putin on Dec. 25, citing an unidentified source close to the Chechen leader.

“They barely revived him in Moscow, after which he returned home and has not appeared in public since,” Novaya Gazeta quoted its source as saying.

Kadyrov has dismissed the reports of his ill health.

On Saturday, Kadyrov’s official Telegram channel published video footage showing him attending the opening of an Islamic school. In the footage, Kadyrov does not speak and is seen using a walking stick.