The authoritarian leader of the Russian republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, announced on Wednesday that he had been promoted to the rank of colonel-general by President Vladimir Putin, at a time when Moscow's forces are experiencing setbacks in Ukraine.
“
The Russian President awarded me the rank of Colonel-General.
The decree has been published (...) Vladimir Vladimirovich personally informed me and congratulated me
,” Ramzan Kadyrov wrote on Telegram, saying he was “
tremendously grateful
” for “
the high appreciation of (his) merits
”.
Read alsoRamzan Kadyrov, Putin's soldier in Chechnya
The rank of colonel-general is the third highest command rank in the Russian military hierarchy, behind those of army general and field marshal.
The Chechen leader was already a general three times before this promotion: of the military forces of the interior, of the police and of the national guard of Chechnya.
Kadyrov, criticized by international NGOs for serious human rights violations in his republic, has been very active since the beginning of the Russian offensive in Ukraine.
Chechen units, including Kadyrov's infamous personal militia, the "
kadyrovtsy
", fight there alongside Russian regular forces.
Monday, October 3, Kadyrov announced his intention to send three of his sons, teenagers, to fight in Ukraine, while calling for the use of "
low-power nuclear weapons
" there in the face of the difficulties of Russian troops.
Read alsoRussia: Chechen leader Kadyrov says he is sending three of his teenage sons to the front in Ukraine
He also criticized another Russian colonel-general, Alexandre Lapin, in charge of operations around Lyman, a locality recently taken over by Ukrainian forces, judging that he had not provided "
the communications
" and the "
necessary ammunition
to the soldiers engaged in the defense of this city.
The Kremlin praised Monday, October 3 "
the heroic contribution
" of Mr. Kadyrov in the offensive in Ukraine.