How did Kadyrov's family come to power?

The Kadyrov family's rise to power is deeply tied to the political and military dynamics in Chechnya and the broader Russian Federation. Ramzan Kadyrov's father, Akhmad Kadyrov, was initially appointed in 2001 as the head of Chechnya by Vladimir Putin. This appointment was a strategic move by Putin to quell internal conflicts, as Akhmad Kadyrov helped to turn one faction of Chechens against other rival factions. With the support of the Russian military, they were able to suppress these groups, and as a reward, Akhmad Kadyrov gained control over Chechnya.

Following Akhmad's assassination, his son, Ramzan Kadyrov, took over. Despite criticisms of his capabilities, Ramzan has proven effective at maintaining control over Chechnya. Chechnya, under the Kadyrovs, although not economically functional within the Russian Federation, has remained loyal to Moscow, especially regarding security issues. Putin relies on Chechnya for executing politically sensitive operations, including assassinations deemed necessary by the Kremlin. This relationship underscores a feudal-like system where loyalty and brute force are rewarded with political power and autonomy within the state's broader structure 1 .