Meduza and Verstka: Chechnya head Ramzan Kadyrov may get top-level job in Russia’s National Guard

The statement of Ramzan Kadyrov on him possibly going on a “leave of absence” as head of Russia’s Chechnya may be tied to his upcoming appointment to the National Guard, Meduza and Verstka news outlets report, citing their sources.

A source close to the Russian presidential administration told Meduza that the country’s leadership is “currently discussing the possible transfer of Ramzan Kadyrov to a top-level position in the National Guard”.

A source close to the Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the same version of events to Verstka. According to the source, Kadyrov may succeed Viktor Zolotov, the current head of the National Guard. Some of the outlet’s sources are sure that this will happen “in the near future”.

“If Kadyrov is transferred to the law enforcement agency, his closest ally and Russian State Duma deputy from Chechnya Adam Delimkhanov may be appointed acting head of the Chechen Republic,” Verstka writes.

In 2009, Delimkhanov was placed on Interpol’s wanted list in connection with the murder of former commander of the Vostok battalion and Hero of Russia Sulim Yamadaev. In 2012, Interpol dropped the arrest warrant.

In late April of this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Delimkhanov the Hero of Russia title for “the bravery and heroism shown during the special military operation on the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Luhansk People’s Republic and Ukraine”.

This afternoon, Kadyrov stated that he deserves “an indefinite and long leave of absence”. In his video address, the Chechen leader said that he had led Chechnya for 15 years and that his youth is “long gone”.

“I think my time has come, or else they kick me out,” Kadyrov said.