Putin promotes Chechen leader Kadyrov to Army General

Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov received another title over the weekend to add to his already extensive collection: Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded him the rank of Army General, the second-highest military rank in the Russian system, below only Marshal of Russia.

The rank and the red beret were presented to him in a ceremony in Grozny by Viktor Zolotov, head of Russia's National Guard.

At the same ceremony, Kadyrov also received the red beret, considered the senior symbol of special forces units in the Russian National Guard. Traditionally, the right to wear the beret is earned through qualification tests that include physical fitness exams, marksmanship, and tactical skills.

According to reports, the beret was awarded to Kadyrov in recognition of his contribution to the development of special forces units and the National Guard.

Kadyrov awarded Army General rank and red beret (Photo: Russian State News Agency)

The new rank joins an exceptionally long list of titles, ranks, and decorations held by the Chechen leader. Kadyrov is a Hero of Russia, Hero of the Donetsk People's Republic, Hero of the Luhansk People's Republic, and Hero of the Chechen Republic. He also holds a long series of Russian decorations, including the Order of Alexander Nevsky, the Order of Courage, and Orders of Merit to the Fatherland.

Alongside all these, Kadyrov also has an academic title. In 2006, he was awarded the degree of Candidate of Economic Sciences, and around the same time received the status of honorary member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences. Kadyrov himself has explained in the past that this is not the Russian Academy of Sciences, but rather the Academy of Natural Sciences, which is a public organization.

Kadyrov, who has served as Chechnya's leader since 2007, has also advanced over the years through the military ranks: in 2020 he was promoted to Major General, in 2022 to Lieutenant General, and later that year to Colonel General. Now, within just a few years, the rank of Army General has been added to the list.

At the ceremony in Grozny, a symbolic exchange also took place: Kadyrov awarded Zolotov the title "Hero of the Chechen Republic," the same title he himself holds. Both men left the event having received a new title from the other, while the Chechen leader's list of titles and decorations continues to grow.