Amid military setbacks in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has promoted Chechnya’s authoritarian ruler Ramzan Kadyrov to colonel general. His appointment decree has now been published and he is “incredibly grateful” to Putin for his “great appreciation,” Kadyrov wrote on the Telegram online service on Wednesday. The Colonel General is the third highest rank in the Russian Armed Forces, behind the Marshal and the General of the Army.
On Monday, the Kremlin praised Kadyrov’s “heroic contribution” to the Ukraine offensive. The Chechen president was intensely involved from the start. Chechen units are fighting alongside Russian forces in the country. Among them is Kadyrov’s notorious personal militia known as “Kadyrovtsy”.
Kadyrov announced on Monday that he would send three teenage sons to fight in Ukraine. The 14-16 year olds Achmat, Selimkhan and Adam are ready to use the combat skills they trained in “special military operation”, Kadyrov wrote on Telegram on Monday. “And I’m not kidding. (…) Soon they will be sent to the front and will be in the most difficult parts of the contact line.” He also posted a video showing his kids at target shooting.
brutal management style
Kadyrov, known for his brutal leadership in Muslim-leaning Chechnya in the North Caucasus, has emerged as one of the most ardent advocates of war since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He also has a reputation for breaking Russian laws without consequences. After the Russian defeats, he repeatedly criticized his country’s military leadership and called for far-reaching consequences. Recently, he even spoke out in favor of considering the use of lower-yield nuclear weapons. In addition, Kadyrov had criticized another colonel general, Alexander Lapin, for his role in the fight for the city of Lyman, recently captured by Ukrainian forces.
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When asked about Kadyrov’s harsh criticism of the course of the war, which Moscow continues to call a “special military operation”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said only on Monday: “Regional chiefs have the authority to express your point of view and to make evaluations.” At first he didn’t comment on the soldiers.
The Chechen ruler has been criticized for years by international non-governmental organizations because of his administration, which is characterized by serious human rights violations.
Prior to his current appointment as colonel-general, Kadyrov had already been promoted to general three times – each of the interior armed forces, the police and the Chechen national guard.