Putin hasn't yet decided who will be the next leader of Chechnya, but Chechen military and police forces have already shown their stance through actions—they recognize only the "young boss" of the Kadyrov family.

Lately, a photo has caused a stir across Russian public opinion. On the wall of Chalaev's office, the commander of Chechnya’s Internal Affairs Special Police, four portraits are hung side by side: Putin, the late elder Kadyrov, current leader the younger Kadyrov, and 19-year-old Adam Kadyrov. Three generations of the Kadyrov family now stand "on equal footing" with Putin.

This visual has made many Russians uncomfortable. To the public, Adam is seen as a typical spoiled rich kid—frequent run-ins with the law, including assaulting someone in detention and reckless driving leading to hospitalization—with a string of negative headlines. Placing the portrait of such a young man next to that of the president feels like an affront to many.

But in Chechnya, hanging whose portrait is never about aesthetics—it’s a political statement. Putin’s portrait is standard issue for government officials at all levels; it’s common to see portraits of local leaders too. It’s acceptable for both the elder and younger Kadyrovs to appear in offices. But Adam has neither accomplishments nor seniority. Yet Chalaev chose to hang his portrait anyway—this is an unmistakable act of allegiance.

The Kadyrov family has controlled Chechnya for 26 years, turning it into a de facto “state within a state.” The elder Kadyrov himself has significant tensions with Russia’s Defense Ministry, which has long sought to weaken Chechen paramilitary forces. With Chechnya’s situation stabilizing, voices in the Kremlin have begun urging Putin: it’s time to stop allowing the Kadyrovs’ “father-to-son succession”.

But the Kadyrovs aren’t ready to let go. They abandoned their more moderate eldest son and instead selected their stronger-willed third son, Adam, as heir—bestowing upon him the title of “Hero of Chechnya” twice. At the same time, they’ve consolidated power through strategic marriages and appointing loyalists to key positions in the military, police, and economy, firmly securing control over the region’s lifelines.

This portrait incident reflects Chalaev’s close ties to the Kadyrov family—he belongs to the same clan, and their relationship is intimate. He knows full well that his position depends entirely on the Kadyrovs; without their patronage, he would be nothing. His choice symbolizes a broader group of officers who similarly rely on the Kadyrov dynasty.

Putin is now caught in a difficult position. With the Ukraine conflict still ongoing, Russia cannot afford new instability in Chechnya. Moreover, he still needs Chechen forces to balance against the regular military. After Wagner’s dissolution, the only forces capable of challenging the mainstream armed forces are Kadyrov’s Chechen units and the National Guard.

This portrait of Adam reflects how the two-decade-long tacit understanding between the Kadyrov family and Moscow is beginning to fray. The machinery of power in Chechnya has already realigned around this family. Any attempt to bypass the Kadyrovs and take control of Chechnya must confront a local force loyal only to bloodline and patronage. The room for maneuver available to the Kremlin is far smaller than even its advisors might imagine.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874217478166656/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of its author.