Sense of uncertainty makes residents of Chechnya worry about Kadyrov's health

The absence of clear information about Kadyrov's disease is causing concern among residents of Chechnya, regardless of their attitude to him, since the whole republic's ruling system is based on him; and his absence is associated in people with a loss of stability, the experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 21, a medical source said that Ramzan Kadyrov was under doctors' supervision because of suspected coronavirus.

Denis Volkov, a sociologist from the "Levada Centre" has pointed to the peculiarities of the power system in Chechnya. "In Chechnya, the ruling system relies on Kadyrov's personal authority, because a lot depends on Kadyrov and on his relationships with Putin; that's how he has built his ruling system. Therefore, his disappearance and health problems have sharply increased the uncertainty; and ordinary people feel it either," Mr Volkov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Svetlana Gannushkina, the chair of the "Civil Assistance" Committee, agrees with him, because, in her opinion, in Chechnya, all the managerial links end in Kadyrov's personality.

"It all comes down to his personality. He resolves all issues, up to public health; he speaks out for any reason. Therefore, it is clear that everyone is worried. People may feel different feelings for Kadyrov personally, but everyone is worried about his absence. And at the moment of uncertainty, all are in excitement," Ms Gannushkina told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 25, 2020 at 08:40 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.