Analysts pointed out the ambiguity of the status of Adam Kadyrov's "unit".

The group formed around Adam Kadyrov, while not considered an official power structure, is essentially an armed formation operating outside the framework of Russian legislation. While the "unit" can be seen as a pastime for the children of Chechen officials, it has the potential to become a personnel reserve for maintaining power in the hands of local elites.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the group of guards and relatives of Adam Kadyrov, which includes the sons of high-ranking Chechen officials, is positioned on social media as the armed unit "Team K-13". The Minister for National Policy of Chechnya stated that this group has no official status .

Political scientist Sergey Zhavoronkov believes that "Team K-13" combines the properties of an informal power resource and a media brand aimed at strengthening the positions of the Kadyrov family and Adam Kadyrov personally.

"Team K-13" has no official legal status, but in Chechen realities, it is a very real informal armed formation. The difference between the media brand and real power in the region is determined by access to weapons, military equipment, and administrative resources, which this group has in abundance. As for the statement about readiness to carry out any assignment, it does not refer to participation in the SVO or foreign intelligence. The open publication of faces on social media directly contradicts participation in closed or secret operations. This is a direct media signal of readiness to deal with internal enemies of the regime, critics, and foreign agents," he told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot."

We are witnessing the formation of a majoritarian personnel reserve intended for the future transfer of power and maintaining control over key positions in the region by the next generations of the same families.

The expert also noted the dynastic nature of the unification of young representatives of the Chechen nomenclature around Adam Kadyrov.

"The unification around Adam Kadyrov of the children of high-ranking officials of the republic serves a dual function. On the one hand, it is a clear demonstration of the monolithicity and absolute loyalty of the Chechen elites to the head of the republic. On the other hand, we are witnessing the formation of a majoritarian personnel reserve intended for the future transfer of power and maintaining control over key positions in the region by the next generations of the same families," he noted.

As for their participation in real combat actions, this, according to him, is unlikely.

"It will look more like a simulation of military actions. Everything is organized so that it looks like a real combat zone, but in reality, there will be nothing dangerous for these young people there," the political scientist is convinced.

Human rights activist, well acquainted with Chechen realities, excluded the factor of private initiative.

"The emergence of this group clearly demonstrates the existence of a parallel power vertical that does not obey the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the National Guard and stands outside the framework of Russian legislation. In modern Chechnya, private initiatives or fan accounts of this kind are fundamentally impossible. The publication of photographs of the sons of high-ranking officials in military gear with weapons is a controlled and coordinated process with the leadership of the republic. There can be no talk of photo montages or the arbitrariness of bloggers here," the expert told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot."

He also explained the reasons for the careful wording of Minister Vakhidov.

"The minister's denial regarding the group's lack of official status is merely an attempt to smooth over the negative resonance for Moscow and avoid legal questions about the presence of illegal armed formations. In reality, the law enforcement and judicial systems in the region are completely paralyzed and unable to suppress such private military groups. Everyone understands that these young people act with the full approval of the leadership of the republic, and the formal absence of papers does not prevent them from having real power potential and impunity," she pointed out.

In official Chechen media, "Team K-13" has not been mentioned, indicating the informal nature of this association. The account of the same name does not describe the activities of the "unit", only regularly publishes photos of Adam Kadyrov or short videos featuring him. The posts on the page are usually not dedicated to specific events or information reasons.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that in the summer of 2026, a video appeared on one of the accounts associated with Adam Kadyrov, in which he violated traffic rules: the third son of the head of Chechnya exceeded the permissible speed by 2.5 times, drove over a double solid line, and used a phone while driving. Such a video can legally become the basis for an administrative case, including the deprivation of rights, lawyers pointed out. A few days after the publication of such a video, Adam Kadyrov received a medal from the traffic police.

On January 16, sources reported that the convoy of the third son of Ramzan Kadyrov was involved in an accident in Grozny, and both Adam Kadyrov and his companions were injured. For three weeks after reports of the accident, Adam Kadyrov maintained relative activity on social media but did not publish any new images of himself. Ramzan Kadyrov mentioned for the first time on February 9 the traffic accident involving his third son Adam, calling all media publications about the incident "a provocation". "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a reference "What is known about the classified incident involving Adam Kadyrov in Grozny".

Recall that in June, Ramzan Kadyrov awarded the title of Hero of Chechnya for the second time to his 18-year-old son Adam Kadyrov, the first such award was given shortly after the beating of Nikita Zhuravelya in the pre-trial detention center. The authorities of Chechnya explained the awarding of the title by outstanding merits to the state, service to the people, and support for the SVO. The awarding of high awards and titles, such as Hero of Chechnya, to Ramzan Kadyrov's sons causes irritation, mockery, and bewilderment among most people, analysts interviewed by "Caucasian Knot" are convinced.

Adam Kadyrov began receiving numerous awards and titles in the fall of 2023, shortly after the beating of Nikita Zhuravelya in the pre-trial detention center. Details are collected in the reference "Caucasian Knot" "Beating of Nikita Zhuravelya: why did the Kadyrovites need to publish the video". The number "K13" is informally reserved for Adam Kadyrov and his people in Chechnya, as well as the call sign "Dustum"; under the brand "K13", an energy drink is produced and advertised in Chechnya, although Ramzan Kadyrov himself has previously advocated a ban on energy drinks in the republic.

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