Analysts have compared Kadyrov's second Hero of Chechnya title to the Soviet era

CPSU General Secretary Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev received numerous awards, but, unlike Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, he did not award them to himself. Kadyrov's repeated award of the Hero of Chechnya title likely serves a compensatory function.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot", Ramzan Kadyrov became the first recipient of the Hero of Chechnya title on February 24, 2023. This title is awarded by the head of Chechnya, according to a decree signed by Kadyrov. On October 5, on the occasion of his birthday, he was awarded the title Hero of Chechnya for the second time. He signed the decree awarding it himself.

The presentation of the second Hero of Chechnya title to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov was commented on October 6 by Alexei Kuzmin, a professor at the Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH), political scientist; Sergei Boyko, a member of the Adam Smith Center, political scientist; Alexei Gunya, a senior researcher at the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences; and Svetlana Gannushkina, chair of the Civic Assistance Committee*, to a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Alexei Kuzmin expressed surprise that such regional awards exist. "For example, in the city of St. Petersburg, there is a wonderful title, 'Honored Artist of St. Petersburg,'" he remarked ironically.

To receive such an award, Politburo members required a Politburo decision.

In terms of Kadyrov's love of awards, the political scientist sees a common thread with the long-gone era of Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev, noting that the General Secretary did not award himself any awards. "And although all this was not very good, everything was much more correct back then, because the medals were awarded by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, and Leonid Ilyich did not head the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet. He was the General Secretary of the CPSU, but not the president. Moreover, in a sense, there was still a collective leadership there. In the sense that to receive such an award, Politburo members required a Politburo decision. "The issue was maintaining the internal balances of the Politburo," Kuzmin explained.

He recalled that Kadyrov is concerned about his children inheriting power in the republic. "Despite the formal cohesion of the Chechen regime, the actual succession and transfer of power in Chechnya could lead to a host of unexpected developments, with all the ensuing consequences. But no one needs a hotbed of semi-hot war," Kuzmin said.

In his opinion, the federal center's perception of Kadyrov and his awards may vary. "Moscow is divided into two unequal halves. One half believes that, of course, it's high time Chechnya [was] pacified... This varies significantly depending on the level at which we look at it. Furthermore, the systematic attempts by businesses of Chechen origin to get involved in major federal squabbles is irritating," Kuzmin emphasized.

According to him, the awards serve a compensatory purpose not only in the eyes of the Chechen population but also in the eyes of outside observers. "Given the current problems, this is a compensatory function... Because there are quite a few. At one time, the idea arose to replicate the Russian Empire's experience and use the Chechens as a savage division, as highly reliable, high-quality, independent troops. As far as I understand, the experience of the Central Military District demonstrates that not everything is so smooth," Kuzmin concluded.

This award rather serves a compensatory function given the current weakening of Ramzan Kadyrov's position.

Sergey Boyko also drew attention to the compensatory role of Kadyrov's award to himself. "This award rather serves a compensatory function given the current weakening of Ramzan Kadyrov's position. "De facto, due to his health problems, he feels like a 'lame duck' who cannot ensure the transfer of power to his successor," Boyko said.

The country and its regions are currently undergoing a period of statehood transformation, according to Alexey Gunya. "And compared to the regions of the North Caucasus, Ramzan Kadyrov truly appears as a leader who cannot be compared with others. That is, he and the republic, the territory, look quite favorable compared to others. And in this regard, the awarding of some kind of award will not have negative connotations. It will be perceived as due," he said.

According to the professor, the award can be viewed in a broader context – to showcase the Chechen leader's achievements to the federal authorities. "So that they can be visible at the federal level, including his administrative skills." "To show that he could have taken some other post, but apparently certain factors influenced his remaining at this level, at the regional level. Although why he was awarded the title of Hero twice is unclear," Gunya explained.

The desire to be in the spotlight and receive awards is entirely in keeping with modern trends, and not just a relic of the Soviet period, believes Svetlana Gannushkina*.

"There's a joke from Brezhnev's time that at the General Secretary's funeral, he rises from the coffin and asks those gathered, 'What about posthumously? (An award).' But nowadays, we have fresh examples. US President Donald Trump, for example, is openly begging for the Nobel Peace Prize. Why shouldn't Kadyrov honor himself with such an award?" " she asks.

Ramzan Kadyrov holds the titles of Honorary Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Chechen Republic, Honorary Professor of several Russian universities, Honorary Citizen of the Chechen Republic, Honored Worker of Physical Culture, and Honorary President of the Afghanistan Veterans Movement of the Southern Federal District. He has been awarded Chechnya's highest honor, the Order of Akhmat-Hadji Kadyrov. He was awarded the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" fourth degree, the Order of Courage, the medals "For Distinction in the Protection of Public Order," "For Distinction in Conducting the All-Russian Population Census," "For the Liberation of Crimea," and "For the Development of Parliamentarism in the Chechen Republic." He also received the Kazakhstani award "10 Years of Astana" and numerous public awards, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report "Kadyrov and His Awards."

* added to the Ministry of Justice's register of foreign agents.

** Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) is banned in Russia.