Chechen leader Kadyrov reportedly on dialysis for kidney failure

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov is suffering kidney failure and is undergoing dialysis, Ukrainian intelligence sources say.

Doctors have not provided a prognosis. Kadyrov is reportedly receiving treatment in a private hospital in Chechnya, where family members, including some from abroad, have gathered.

Ukrainian intelligence says his declining health has prompted Kremlin discussions over a potential successor. Reported candidates include Magomed Daudov, Apti Alaudinov, and Kadyrov’s eldest son, Akhmat.

His condition has been noted by Ukrainian intelligence previously, including in September 2023 when officials described it as very serious. These reports highlight ongoing monitoring of Chechnya’s leadership amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Ramzan Kadyrov has led the Chechen Republic, a federal subject of Russia, since 2007, following the assassination of his father, Akhmad Kadyrov, in 2004. He assumed power with support from the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin, consolidating authority in Chechnya through political structures and security forces.

Kadyrov has publicly supported Russia’s military operations abroad and has deployed Chechen forces to conflict zones, including Ukraine. He maintains a prominent public profile in Russian media.

Despite his leadership position, his health has been under scrutiny, with reports in January 2026 indicating kidney problems and ongoing dialysis treatment.

Copied