Europe 1 with AFP 9:36 p.m., October 05, 2022

The leader of the Russian republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov announced on Wednesday that he had been promoted to the rank of colonel-general by President Vladimir Putin.

The authoritarian leader was already three times general before this promotion: of the military forces of the interior, the police force and the national guard of Chechnya.

The authoritarian leader of the Russian republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, announced on Wednesday that he had been promoted to the rank of colonel-general by President Vladimir Putin, at a time when Moscow's forces are experiencing setbacks in Ukraine.

"The Russian President awarded me the rank of Colonel-General. The decree was published (...) Vladimir Vladimirovich personally informed me about it and congratulated me," Ramzan Kadyrov wrote on Telegram, saying he was " immensely grateful" for "the high appreciation of (his) merits".

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The rank of colonel-general is the third highest command rank in the Russian military hierarchy, behind those of army general and field marshal.

Already three times general

The Chechen leader was already three times a general before this promotion: of the military forces of the interior, of the police and of the national guard of Chechnya.

Ramzan Kadyrov, criticized by international NGOs for serious human rights violations in his republic, has been very active since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine.

Chechen units, including Ramzan Kadyrov's militia with a sinister reputation, the "kadyrovtsy", fight there alongside the Russian regular forces.

On Monday, Ramzan Kadyrov announced his intention to send three of his sons, teenagers, to fight in Ukraine, while calling for the use of "low-power nuclear weapons" in the face of the difficulties of Russian troops.

He also criticized another Russian colonel-general, Alexandre Lapin, in charge of operations around Lyman, a locality recently taken over by Ukrainian forces, judging that he had not provided "the communications" and the "necessary ammunition "to the soldiers engaged in the defense of this city.

The Kremlin on Monday praised the "heroic contribution" of Ramzan Kadyrov in the offensive in Ukraine.