Experts explain growth of Ramzan Kadyrov's popularity by propaganda and events in Ukraine

The increasing number of positive reviews on the activities of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and the growth of public confidence in him are the result of the TV propaganda and strengthening of anti-Western sentiments in Russia against the background of the situation in Ukraine. This was stated by experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to the questioning held in March by the "Levada Centre", in comparison with 2006, the number of Russians, who express their confidence in Ramzan Kadyrov, has increased by 22%.

"The Ramzan Kadyrov's statements correspond to those voiced by Vladimir Putin, and they correspond to the propaganda that the main enemy is the West, that the 'Islamic State' (an organization recognized in Russia as a terrorist, note of the 'Caucasian Knot') and other similar things are products of the West," believes Alexei Malashenko, a member of the Scientific Council of the Moscow Carnegie Centre, an author of the book "Ramzan Kadyrov: a Russian politician of Caucasian nationality".

According to Alexei Malashenko, people's attitude to Ramzan Kadyrov, including also in Northern Caucasus, is ambivalent.

"I have heard many times how people from different republics said about Ramzan Kadyrov that he is a wonderful person and he has established an excellent order in Chechnya, but they do not want him as a leader in their places," Alexei Malashenko has concluded.

According to Alexander Cherkasov, the Chairman of the Board of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", the growth of Ramzan Kadyrov's popularity is a consequence of many years of advocacy efforts to create a media image of Chechnya as a region with only good news.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.