Ramzan Kadyrov

Amid rumors about his health. the Chechen leader has opposed Russian school books and angered lawmakers for posting a video of his teenage son.

A post has appeared on the Chechen leader's Telegram channel, saying that he is alive and well.

The Chechen leader is said to be receiving treatment for kidney failure although the Kremlin has said it has no information about Kadyrov's condition.

Kadyrov is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's key allies and has committed his "Kadyrovtsy," or pro-Russian Chechen fighters, to Moscow in Ukraine.

Ukrainian intelligence representative Andriy Yusov told several news outlets Friday that Kadyrov is believed to be in "critical condition."

Ramzan Kadyrov blamed Elkhan Suleymanov for his deteriorating health, the VChK-OGPU Telegram channel reported.

"The fact that you imposed sanctions on my mother, I won't forgive you for that," said Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

A Ukrainian special-ops organization reported that dozens of Russian troops were killed after two Russian units turned on each other.

Pro-Russian Chechen fighters have been nicknamed the "TikTok army" for their enthusiasm in posting wartime clips of themselves online.

Several Chechen battalions have joined Kyiv's ranks, but forces loyal to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov also fight for Moscow.

""Friends, it's all just beginning. PMC Wagner and its path is far from over," a man who says he is a Wagner Group field commander said in a video.

Prigozhin won notoriety last month by marching his paramilitary forces toward Moscow, but Russian President Vladimir Putin also faces an unexpected threat from another warlord.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has praised Chechnya's fighters in Ukraine, and has been a staunch supporter of the war.

The journalist, Elena Milashina, has a long history of covering human rights abuses in Chechnya.

Yevgeny Pisarenko had fought in Ukraine since the invasion in February 2022.

Ramzan Kadyrov said he had sent his fighters to the "zones of tension" after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed his troops were controlling Rostov-on-Don.

Two Russian rebel groups—the Freedom of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC)—entered Belgorod in early June.

"Prigozhinites" collaborated with "enemy intelligence," said Roman Venevitin, who was recently captured and held briefly by the Wagner Group.

In a Telegram post, the Chechen leader said "the answer is obvious" as to whether his troops or Wagner forces were more effective.

The controversial visit of a Chechen businessman has sparked fresh anger as partially occupied Georgia struggles with a wave of Russian migrants.

Ramzan Kadyrov said he would send his Chechen forces to Belgorod to assist Russia in defending the area.

The Russian mercenary chief said on Telegram that he and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov had settled their dispute.

Recent attacks on Yevgeny Prigozhin by Chechen officials could be part of the Kremlin's efforts to "undermine" the Wagner leader, according to the think tank.

A close ally of Ramzan Kadyrov lashed out at Yevgeny Prigozhin for his "daily statements" that "sow a mood of panic among our country's population."

Chechen units' limited presence on frontlines and a heavy emphasis on recruitment may mean Ramzan Kadyrov is hesitant about his forces going on the offensive.

The Russian president would likely only consider weapons of mass destruction if "very desperate," Alar Karis told Newsweek in Tallinn.

The region continues to play a key territorial role for both countries in the ongoing war.

Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Sunday that the mercenary fighters would receive "as much ammunition and weapons as we need."

Both Wagner and Chechen fighters have been present in Ukraine since the outbreak of full-scale war, but have performed different roles.

Ramzan Kadyrov said he will provide Chechen units to Bakhmut after Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin angrily announced he is leaving the city.