Putin promotes Kadyrov to the rank of general

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, an ally of President Vladimir Putin, said on Wednesday he had been promoted to a senior rank in the Russian army, as Russian forces suffered a series of setbacks in Ukraine.

The 46-year-old Chechen leader - one of Russia's most vocal supporters of the war on Ukraine - said it was a "huge honor" for him.

Kadyrov, who rules Chechnya, said Putin had informed him "personally" of the decision.

"The president of Russia has given me the rank of colonel-general. This is a promotion for me," he added on Telegram.

The rank is the third in the series of Russian military ranks.

Kadyrov's promotion came as the Ukrainian army pushed Moscow's forces back into the areas annexed by the Kremlin.

The Chechen leader said he would do "everything to quickly end the special military operation", using the Kremlin's term.

Kadyrov advocates the use of tougher tactics in Ukraine.

This week he called on Moscow to use tactical nuclear weapons after Russian forces were forced to withdraw from the town of Lyman.

Then he said that he was about to send three of his sons, aged 14, 15 and 16, to the front.

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