Media: The Kremlin has chosen Kadyrov's successor

The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has disappeared again: he has not appeared in public for 17 days. The last time Kadyrov was seen was on February 27, when he, together with representatives of the Chechen leadership, performed a prayer in a Grozny mosque in honor of Ramadan, the Nezygar telegram channel noted .

At the moment, the duties of the head of Chechnya are allegedly performed by the chairman of the republican government, Magomed Daudov. He signs all official documents. Thus, on March 10, by decree of the head of Chechnya, Daudov declared March 19, 20 and 21 holidays in the republic in connection with the celebration of Eid al-Adha.

As Nezygar writes, it was Daudov who was chosen by the Kremlin to succeed Kadyrov. According to sources of the telegram channel, Daudov, if necessary, will lead the region and become a guarantor of respect for the interests of the Kadyrov clan. Now the chairman of the republican government is strengthening his team.

His youngest son Adam was considered one of Kadyrov’s successors. However, on January 16, 2026, information appeared about a possible accident involving him. According to “Caucasus. Realities", the 18-year-old son of the head of Chechnya was driving ahead of the government motorcade at great speed, but at some point he lost control.

Later, a “hospital plane” from the Ministry of Emergency Situations flew from Chechnya to Moscow, with Kadyrov Jr. supposedly on board. Following him, the plane on which, according to leaks, Kadyrov Sr. flew, headed to Moscow.

On February 10, Ramzan Kadyrov published a video on his Telegram channel in which he and Adam are having dinner. The video appeared after the head of Chechnya called information about an accident in the center of Grozny with the possible participation of Adam a “stuffing.”

Kadyrov’s own health problems, as the Financial Times writes, highlight the vulnerability of one of the key regional pillars of Vladimir Putin’s rule. This is all due to the fact that the management model built by Kadyrov largely rests on the figure of the intended successor and is now allegedly “on the verge of collapse.”

Since 2023, reports have regularly appeared in the media that Kadyrov is ill. Thus, in December 2025, Novaya Gazeta Europe wrote about his hospitalization in Moscow after participating in a State Council meeting with Vladimir Putin. In turn, Ukrainian journalists, citing sources, reported in January about possible kidney failure in the head of Chechnya.

This allegedly explains his periodic disappearances from the public sphere. Kadyrov himself has repeatedly denied health problems, mocked rumors and published videos to confirm his words.