Russian President Vladimir Putin has promoted Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov to the rank of General of the Army, according to reports from Russian state and local media. The announcement was made during a ceremony in Grozny, where Kadyrov received new military insignia and a maroon beret. The Times of Russia reports that the promotion marks Kadyrov’s latest advancement in Russia’s military rank system.
Putin Promotes Ramzan Kadyrov to General of the Army
The decision was made through a decree signed by Vladimir Putin. During the ceremony, Viktor Zolotov, director of Russia’s National Guard (Rosgvardia), presented Kadyrov with the shoulder boards of an Army General and formally conveyed Putin’s decision.
According to Zolotov, Putin had instructed him to deliver the decree granting Kadyrov the next senior military rank of General of the Army. Kadyrov previously held the rank of Colonel General, which he received in 2022.
Kadyrov Receives Maroon Beret
Along with the new military insignia, Ramzan Kadyrov was presented with a maroon beret, an important symbol associated with special-purpose units of Russia’s National Guard.
Zolotov said the beret was presented in recognition of Kadyrov’s contribution to the development of special-purpose units and National Guard forces. The maroon beret is regarded as a high-level distinction within Russia’s special forces structure.
Kadyrov’s Previous Military Ranks
Kadyrov has held several military and security-related ranks during his career. He received the rank of Major General of the police in 2009 and later became a Major General of the Russian National Guard in 2020.
In 2022, he was subsequently awarded the ranks of Lieutenant General and Colonel General. His latest promotion now gives him the rank of General of the Army
Viktor Zolotov Also Receives Chechen Honor
The ceremony in Grozny also included an award for Viktor Zolotov. Kadyrov presented Zolotov with the title of Hero of the Chechen Republic, recognizing what was described during the ceremony as his personal service to the republic and its people.
The title of Hero of the Chechen Republic was established in November 2022, with Kadyrov being its first recipient, according to Russian reports.
What the New Rank Means
The rank of General of the Army is one of the highest military ranks in Russia’s current system. It sits below the rank of Marshal of the Russian Federation. Kadyrov’s promotion therefore represents a significant change in his formal military rank.
The ceremony, held in Grozny on October 3, also drew attention because of the presentation of the maroon beret alongside his new general’s insignia.
Ramzan Kadyrov has been promoted to General of the Army by Vladimir Putin, with the new rank formally presented during a ceremony in Grozny. Viktor Zolotov handed Kadyrov his army-general shoulder boards and a maroon beret, while Kadyrov separately awarded Zolotov the title of Hero of the Chechen Republic. The Times of Russia will continue to cover major developments involving Russia, Chechnya and its political and military leadership.
