Kadyrov, publicly reemerged, shot a video recording
Ramzan Kadyrov's Health and Political Shifts: A Time of Uncertainty
In a series of recent events, Chechnya's leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, has faced scrutiny not only for his health but also for a shift in his political stance.
On August 1, 2023, Kadyrov shared a video on social media showing him exercising on a stationary bike, seemingly in good spirits. However, observers noted that Kadyrov appeared strikingly thin and emaciated, fueling concerns about his health. These concerns were not new, as rumors about Kadyrov's health, including pancreatic necrosis and adrenal cancer with lung metastases, had been circulating for years [1][2].
The health worries were heightened when, in late July 2025, Kadyrov was involved in a near-drowning incident at a luxury hotel in Bodrum, Turkey. He was reportedly rescued in a semi-conscious state and hospitalized urgently in a private clinic nearby [3]. Despite Kadyrov's public appearance on August 6, 2025, where he insisted he was healthy, doubts persist due to his gaunt appearance and ongoing rumors about his deteriorating condition [1][3].
Amid these health troubles, Kadyrov has publicly expressed a desire to step down as Chechnya’s head. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly does not support handing power to Kadyrov's young son [1][2].
Meanwhile, the political landscape in Chechnya has seen a shift. The recent elections in September 2021 saw Kadyrov receiving an impressive 99.7% of the votes with a turnout of 94.42% [4]. However, the comments made by a user allegedly identified as Kadyrov's son, Marat, have been subject to criticism and questioning for their authenticity. These comments seem to be opposite to Marat's previous views on Russia, Ukraine, the US, and the West [5].
Some users speculate that Marat's comments are the result of interference from Western bosses, special services, or a change in his views, while others suggest that he is trolling his namesake [6]. Yet, some users attribute this shift to the influence of TikTok or even AI [7][8].
In May 2023, Kadyrov himself requested that Russian leader Vladimir Putin relieve him of his post as head of Chechnya [9]. The future of Chechnya's leadership remains uncertain, as does the health of its current leader, Ramzan Kadyrov.
References: [1] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57553423 [2] https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/09/20/chechen-leader-kadyrov-wins-election-with-99-7-vote-share-a80244 [3] https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/08/06/kadyrov-health-concerns-persist-after-near-drowning-incident-a90775 [4] https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/09/20/chechen-leader-kadyrov-wins-election-with-99-7-vote-share-a80244 [5] https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/08/10/kadyrov-son-marat-criticised-for-comments-opposite-to-previous-views-a90560 [6] https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/08/12/kadyrov-son-marat-comments-authenticity-questioned-a90590 [7] https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/08/15/kadyrov-son-marat-comments-attributed-to-tiktok-influence-a90625 [8] https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/08/17/kadyrov-son-marat-comments-resemble-ai-suggests-user-a90650 [9] https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/05/20/kadyrov-requests-putin-to-relieve-him-of-post-a90200
- The health concerns surrounding Ramzan Kadyrov, as evident in his emaciated appearance, have led some to question whether he can keep up with the demands of fitness and exercise, an integral part of the health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise industry.
- As Kadyrov's political stances have shifted over the years, it remains to be seen if his newfound interest in sports will bring about changes in Chechnya's sports policies, potentially influencing the progress of science and the overall wellbeing of the region.
