Accidents in Chechnya involving Kadyrov's men

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In recent years, at least four serious road accidents involving relatives and close associates of the republic's head, Ramzan Kadyrov, have been recorded in Chechnya. Accidents resulting in fatalities and injuries are accompanied by a lack of official investigations, pressure on witnesses, and attempts to conceal information.

Accidents involving members of the Kadyrov clan are accompanied by a lack of investigations, information isolation, and the use of administrative mechanisms to "reconcile" the parties. In recent years, none of the high-ranking participants in these accidents have been publicly held accountable.

Accident involving Adam Kadyrov

On January 16, 2026, a traffic accident occurred in Grozny involving the motorcade of 18-year-old Adam Kadyrov 1 . The first reports appeared on Chechen opposition channels. The car carrying Adam was traveling at high speed along the Staropromyslovskoye Highway in Grozny and collided with another vehicle. According to unconfirmed reports, the driver of the escort vehicle was killed, several people were injured, and Adam himself was taken to the hospital unconscious. Sources reported pressure on medical workers and phone checks at the hospital. 2 It should be noted that in 2021–2022, unconfirmed reports circulated in Chechen opposition Telegram channels that Adam Kadyrov may have been involved in a car accident in Grozny as a teenager, but there is no official confirmation of this information.

Accident involving Yasin Zakriev

On July 20, 2025, according to the Memorial Human Rights Center*, a car accident occurred involving Yasin Zakriev, the Chairman of the Chechen Accounts Chamber and Kadyrov's nephew. A married couple from the village of Geldagan were killed in an accident, and two children were seriously injured. The very next day, authorities organized a "reconciliation" between the families, which effectively served as a substitute for an investigation. No criminal case was opened, and Zakriev continued to hold office. Human rights activists emphasized that the reconciliation was achieved under pressure.

Accident in Argun involving

In 2019, another fatal accident occurred in Argun. The son of a man close to Kadyrov was involved in an accident that killed three people. Independent sources emphasized that no investigation was conducted, and the perpetrator was not held accountable. ² This incident was the second in a series of cases where serious consequences did not lead to legal action.

Accident involving the head of the Shali district

In 2018, an accident occurred involving Turpal-Ali Ibragimov, the head of the Shali district and Ramzan Kadyrov's cousin. According to sources, Ibragimov's Mercedes collided with a Zhiguli car carrying his family. 3 Eyewitnesses claimed that the official's security guards confiscated phones from witnesses to prevent information leaks. A short time later, a video appeared on social media showing the relatives of the victims "asking not to punish" Ibragimov. No criminal case was announced, and he retained his position. The Caucasian Knot noted that this episode was one of the first in which impunity was publicly documented.

* added to the register of foreign agents

Notes

1. Kadyrov's relative caused an accident in Grozny: there are fatalities, but no one is guilty // https://memorialcenter.org, August 25, 2025.
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvnlZM3wfxc