“The Russian President awarded me the rank of Colonel-General. The decree was published (…) Vladimir Vladimirovich personally informed me and congratulated me,” Kadyrov wrote on Telegram, saying he was “tremendously grateful” for “the high appreciation of (his) merits”.
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.
Mr. 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 own militia with a sinister reputation, the “kadyrovtsy”, fight there alongside the Russian regular forces.
On Monday, Mr. Kadyrov announced his intention to send three of his sons, teenagers, to fight in Ukraine, while calling for use “low-power nuclear weapons” in the face of the difficulties of the Russian troops.
The Kremlin on Monday praised Mr. Kadyrov’s “heroic contribution” to the offensive in Ukraine.
