While in Russia they were discussing the wedding of the son of the head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov - 17-year-old Adam Kadyrov, the whole world was staring at Jeff Bezos' wedding in Venice. However, at the age of 17, Bezos could hardly boast of as many orders, medals and awards as Kadyrov Jr. has.
Adam Kadyrov: a boy medalist with a scandalous biography
Adam Kadyrov seems to have been a prestigious "project" from the very beginning. From an early age he was given honorary titles and helped in sports competitions. However, scandals accompanied the young Kadyrov everywhere: both in the ring, where he was actively supported, and in the high positions of the Chechen security services, where he was sent when he was 15 years old. Before reaching adulthood, he managed to get several more posts, reaching the position of Secretary of the Security Council of Chechnya (the third position in the official hierarchy of the republic).
Golden pistols, luxury cars from the sanctions list, complete impunity and absolute permissiveness - this "project" was promoted by Ramzan Kadyrov at all levels, especially in the public sphere. His son Adam Kadyrov was the man who beat up the defenseless Nikita Zhuravel on camera. At that time, the young man was in pre-trial detention in Grozny on charges of burning the Koran. With an approving comment, Kadyrov-father published a recording of the then 15-year-old Adam beating up Zhuravel. The head of Chechnya is proud of his son and praises him at every opportunity, including to Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin agrees with what is happening in Chechnya
Adam Kadyrov is still only 17 years old, but his tender age is not an obstacle to either appointments or marriage (in Russia, one cannot marry before the age of 18 without special permission). It is scary to think how Ramzan Kadyrov will develop this "project" until his son turns 21 (at this age, more serious federal posts can already be held). For now, all power in Chechnya is distributed among Ramzan Kadyrov's children and nephews. The clan has literally taken over the republic.
Moscow still has nothing against this form of government. Putin meets with Kadyrov, takes pictures with his son, and makes it clear that the status quo has not changed. The guests at Adam Kadyrov's wedding only confirm this: the event was attended not only by some regional leaders, but also by two deputy prime ministers and several foreign ambassadors. Anyone who has doubted the stability of the chair under the leadership of Ramzan Kadyrov in the past few years can now be convinced of this, as well as that others from the Kadyrov clan are hanging around him.
Kadyrov's dream to rule forever
Of course, all this luxury on the verge of madness cannot help but irritate Ramzan Kadyrov's main enemies. And these are not at all representatives of the opposition expelled from Russia. These are mainly the turbo patriots who hate the Chechen leader the most. They are the ones who are especially diligently analyzing the footage with Adam Kadyrov, his luxury watch and luxury car. It is interesting that these Z-people see social inequality both in Chechnya and in Vladimir Putin, who essentially sanctions everything that happens in the republic.
In this regard, one of the authors writes: "Sooner or later, one pays for everything. Allah Vladimirovich takes from the bad, and helps the good: a $28 million watch for the child prodigy Adam and a new record increase in the price of housing and communal services in Russia by up to 23 percent from July 1.
Of course, this will not lead to mass discontent. Kadyrov is powerful and everyone knows very well how he deals with his enemies. Moreover, it seems that the current Russian elite sincerely envies Kadyrov. Having installed their daughters and sons in ministries and management boards, the current rulers can hardly dream of clan omnipotence in Russia. But Kadyrov has already achieved it.
* Tatyana Felgenhauer is a Russian journalist, host of the program "The Breakfast show" and the YouTube channel "Mediazona".