Ramzan Kadyrov sworn in for new term as head of Chechnya
In short
Ramzan Kadyrov took office for a new term as head of Chechnya at a ceremony in Grozny on 5 October, taking the oath in Chechen and Russian. He won the September election with 99.85% of the vote on a turnout of 95.19%, according to figures cited by Kommersant and Vedomosti. Later the same day the Chechen government resigned its powers before him, TASS reported.
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Ramzan Kadyrov took office for a new term as head of Chechnya at a ceremony in Grozny on 5 October, according to TASS, RIA Novosti, Kommersant, RBC and Vedomosti. He took the oath in Chechen and Russian, Kommersant and Vedomosti reported, and Vedomosti said he attended in national dress. Magomed Daudov, head of the regional government, handed him the standard of the head of the republic, Kommersant reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Vedomosti, citing RIA Novosti, said Kadyrov was accompanied by his son Adam Kadyrov, who holds the posts of assistant to the head of the republic and secretary of Chechnya's Security Council. Kommersant and Vedomosti both noted that the ceremony fell on Kadyrov's 50th birthday. [ 2 , 5 ]
According to Vedomosti, Kadyrov, nominated by United Russia, received 99.85% of the vote after 100% of protocols were processed, backed by 830,690 voters, on a turnout of 95.19%. Candidates Ismail Denilkhanov of A Just Russia and Khalid Nakaev of the Communist Party each received 0.05%, Vedomosti reported. Kommersant also cited a result of 99.85% and said turnout in Chechnya exceeded 95%, while in Dagestan it was 87% and in Ingushetia and North Ossetia 84%. Vedomosti said Kadyrov filed documents to run for a new term in July 2026. [ 2 , 5 ]
Later on 5 October, the government of Chechnya resigned its powers before Kadyrov, TASS reported, saying the resolution took effect in line with article 95 of the republic's constitution. RIA Novosti also reported the resignation following the inauguration. Neither report gave further detail on the formation of a new government. [ 6 , 7 ]
The documents differ on how long Kadyrov has led Chechnya. Kommersant said he has headed the republic since 2011, while Vedomosti said since 2007. Both outlets said he won the 2021 election with 99.7% of the vote; Vedomosti added that he took 97.94% in the 2016 direct election. [ 2 , 5 ]
Why it matters
Kadyrov has led Chechnya for more than a decade and won re-election with an overwhelming official result, so the inauguration confirms continuity in one of Russia's North Caucasus republics rather than signalling a change of leadership. The resignation of the regional government opens the way for a new cabinet to be formed, with no details yet given on its composition.
Key facts
- Ramzan Kadyrov took office as head of Chechnya for a new term at a ceremony in Grozny on 5 October 2026. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- He took the oath in Chechen and Russian, and Magomed Daudov, head of the regional government, handed him the republican standard. [ 2 , 5 ]
- The ceremony took place on Kadyrov's 50th birthday. [ 2 , 5 ]
- Kadyrov won 99.85% of the vote after 100% of protocols were processed, with 830,690 voters backing him and turnout at 95.19%, according to Vedomosti; Kommersant also cited 99.85%. [ 2 , 5 ]
- The Chechen government resigned its powers before Kadyrov, with the resolution taking effect under article 95 of the republic's constitution, TASS reported. [ 6 , 7 ]
- The documents disagree on when Kadyrov's tenure began: Kommersant says 2011, Vedomosti says 2007. [ 2 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Ramzan Kadyrov was inaugurated as head of Chechnya for a new term at a ceremony in Grozny on 5 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- He took the oath in Chechen and Russian during the ceremony. [ 2 , 5 ]
- Kadyrov won the September election with 99.85% of the vote, a figure cited by two outlets. [ 2 , 5 ]
- The Chechen government resigned its powers after the inauguration, reported by both an official news agency and confirmed in a second official report. [ 6 , 7 ]
Still unclear
- When Kadyrov's tenure as head of Chechnya began. Kommersant says he has led the republic since 2011, while Vedomosti says since 2007; the documents do not reconcile the two dates.
- Who will form the new Chechen government and when. The documents report only that the government resigned its powers and give no detail on a successor cabinet, and no outlet other than the official ones covers this development.
- Details of the inauguration ceremony beyond the oath, the standard and Kadyrov's attire. RIA Novosti, RBC and TASS published only headlines or one-line summaries, so most specifics come from Kommersant and Vedomosti.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that Ramzan Kadyrov has taken office as head of Chechnya. [ 1 ]
- Kommersant reports the inauguration in Grozny, the oath in Chechen and Russian and the handover of the republican standard. [ 2 ]
- RIA Novosti reports that the inauguration took place in Grozny. [ 3 ]
- RBC reports Kadyrov's inauguration for a new term. [ 4 ]
- Vedomosti reports the inauguration and the vote figures from the September election. [ 5 ]
- TASS reports that the Chechen government has resigned its powers before Kadyrov. [ 6 ]
- RIA Novosti reports the government's resignation after the inauguration. [ 7 ]