18-year-old Adam Kadyrov was awarded the title of Hero of Chechnya for the second time
18-year-old Adam Kadyrov has been awarded the title of Hero of the Chechen Republic for the second time. The award was presented to him by his father, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Chechen authorities stated that they honored Adam Kadyrov for his support of the Russian war and his “services to the state.” This is the second such title for the son of the republic’s head—he was first awarded it in 2023, when he was 15 years old.
The son of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, 18-year-old Adam Kadyrov, has been awarded the title of Hero of the Chechen Republic for the second time. This was announced by the region’s Prime Minister, Magomed Daudov. According to him, Adam Kadyrov was awarded the title “for outstanding service to the state, selfless service to the people, active efforts aimed at comprehensive support for the Special Military Operation, as well as in connection with Russia Day.”
Ramzan Kadyrov personally presided over the award ceremony. It was he who presented his son with yet another Medal of the Hero of Chechnya. “For outstanding service to the state, selfless service to the people, and active efforts aimed at supporting the Special Military Operation,”—this is how the republic’s leadership explained the decision.
This is Adam Kadyrov’s second title
Adam Kadyrov first received the title of Hero of Chechnya in October 2023. He was only 15 years old at the time. The award was announced then by State Duma deputy Adam Delimkhanov. That decision caused a widespread outcry, as it was made shortly after an incident in a detention center where the son of the Chechen leader beat up Nikita Zhuravel. The latter was under arrest in connection with the burning of the Quran.
Despite the public outcry, the Chechen authorities not only failed to condemn Adam Kadyrov’s actions but, on the contrary, publicly supported him. Ramzan Kadyrov himself stated at the time that he was proud of his son’s actions.
How Many Times Can One Become a Hero of Chechnya
The regulations governing the title of Hero of the Chechen Republic do not limit the number of times a single person can receive the award. Therefore, technically, one person can be awarded this title multiple times.
Ramzan Kadyrov himself is also a two-time Hero of Chechnya. Now his son holds the same status. Thus, Adam Kadyrov has become one of the few people in the republic to hold both of the region’s highest honors.
Talk of Kadyrov’s Successor
In recent years, Adam Kadyrov has repeatedly been named as a possible successor to his father as head of Chechnya. After receiving his first high honors, he began to appear regularly at official events and receive various state and departmental awards. However, in March of this year, the publication “Novaya Gazeta Europe” reported that attitudes toward Adam Kadyrov in government circles may have changed.
According to journalists, following a traffic accident in which he was involved, he is no longer considered the leading candidate for the role of the republic’s future leader. There has been no official confirmation of this information.
On the eve of the Chechen presidential election
Elections for the head of the republic are scheduled to take place in Chechnya in the fall of 2026. Earlier, Ramzan Kadyrov stated that he was ready to run again if his candidacy was supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin. “If I have the support of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, then I am ready to put forward my candidacy,” Kadyrov said.
As of June 12, he had not yet officially announced his participation in the election. Against this backdrop, the new award given to Adam Kadyrov drew additional attention, as his name has remained one of the most talked-about in Chechnya’s political life for several years. At the same time, no official statements have yet been made regarding a possible change of power in the republic or the transfer of authority from Ramzan Kadyrov to his son.
