Kadyrov's grim prognosis: Battling severe health woes and successor speculations

Ramzan Kadyrov is facing serious health challenges. He's grappling with an illness that's nearly seen as a death sentence. "Novaya Gazeta Europe" shed light on the Chechen leader's health. It seems there's already talk about his potential successor.

The image of Ramzan Kadyrov as a picture of health has been tarnished for quite some time. Over the years, he's battled various health issues that have frequently made headlines.

A notable health scare for Kadyrov occurred in 2019 when he had to delegate his duties temporarily due to sickness. Officially, it was attributed to a cold and overall fatigue after inspecting harsh weather. But whispers of more severe health problems started when news of his hospitalisation and the use of intravenous drips came to light.

Subsequent reports have disclosed Kadyrov's struggle with severe health issues, including pancreatic necrosis, a condition notorious for intense pain, difficulty in managing, and potentially deadly outcomes. "Novaya Gazeta Europe" provided insights on this matter.

In January 2019, Ramzan Kadyrov was diagnosed with pancreatic necrosis, as reported by "Novaya Gazeta Europe". They noted that Kadyrov experienced considerable weight loss that year, a hallmark sign of a deadly illness progressing rapidly.

Additionally, it was confirmed in 2020 that Kadyrov had caught COVID-19, further exacerbating his already perilous health situation, including hormonal imbalances and other critical conditions.

Journalists have observed Kadyrov's health worsening quickly in the spring of 2022. They noted that the Chechen leader's physique had expanded by about one and a half times.

He exhibited clear symptoms of pancreatic ascites, had severe difficulty breathing, struggled with speech, moved slowly, and was dressed too heavily for the Chechen weather.

Are Kadyrov's days numbered? It's difficult to confirm, but his health situation appears to be dire.

Pancreatic necrosis, a severe and potentially life-threatening outcome of acute pancreatitis, leads to the death of pancreatic tissue. This can trigger severe complications like infections, internal bleeding, and even failure of multiple organs. Despite advancements in treatment methods enhancing the prognosis, pancreatic necrosis remains a significant health risk.

"Novaya Gazeta Europe" suggests that Apti Alaudinov, the chief of Chechen special forces, is being groomed to replace Kadyrov, having recently been appointed the deputy head of the Main Directorate of Military and Political Work of the Ministry of Defence. Alaudinov is seen as one of Kadyrov's most important and trusted allies.