Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and 29 of his relatives have collectively received 146 awards since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, according to a recent social media post by Visegrád 24. This significant accumulation of honors underscores the family's deep entrenchment within Russian state institutions and Chechen power structures. The awards include state, internal Chechen, and federal ministry distinctions, as well as recognition from annexed Ukrainian territories and some foreign states.
Ramzan Kadyrov himself leads the family in accolades, having received 31 medals, averaging one award every 40 days since the conflict started. His son, Adam Kadyrov, ranks second with 16 medals. Notably, half of Adam Kadyrov's awards were bestowed in October and November 2023, a period linked to an incident where he was filmed assaulting a detainee in Grozny, an act his father publicly praised.
The proliferation of awards extends beyond Chechen republican honors, encompassing distinctions from Russian federal agencies such as the National Guard, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Federal Penitentiary Service. This demonstrates the Kadyrov family's extensive connections and influence across various levels of the Russian government and security apparatus. Some awards also originated from administrations in occupied Ukrainian territories and even from states like Libya and partially recognized South Ossetia.
Analysts suggest that the frequent awarding of medals, particularly to younger family members like Adam Kadyrov, is part of a deliberate strategy by Ramzan Kadyrov to solidify his family's dynastic control over Chechnya. Amidst persistent rumors regarding Kadyrov's health, these honors are seen as a means to groom a successor and deter potential challengers to the family's authority. The systematic conferral of high-profile positions and awards on his children and close relatives aims to secure the family's political future in the region.