Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said Monday that claims about injuries to his 18-year-old son Adam in a January car accident were false, marking his first public response to the allegations.
Earlier, Russian exiled media outlets and Chechen opposition groups reported that Adam Kadyrov was involved in a serious crash in Grozny on Jan. 16 and was later flown to Moscow for treatment.
Moreover, Novaya Gazeta Europe cited an anonymous source as saying the driver of a vehicle that collided with the younger Kadyrov’s motorcade died as a result of the incident.
Authorities warn of tougher response to false reports
During a meeting with Chechnya’s chief prosecutor, Kadyrov argued that misleading stories spread easily, adding that thousands of traffic accidents occur nationwide each year without drawing similar attention.
He said more than 128,000 crashes and over 13,000 deaths were recorded across Russia, and yet, he added, the alleged accident involving his son suddenly dominated international headlines.
Meanwhile, in a Telegram post, Kadyrov said Chechen authorities would intensify efforts to combat what he described as fake news, signaling a tougher approach to online reporting.
In addition, Adam Kadyrov has received several senior government appointments in recent years, prompting speculation that his father is grooming him as a successor amid persistent rumors about the elder Kadyrov’s health.
Consequently, analysts note that the controversy underscores long-standing tensions between Chechnya’s leadership and independent media, while critics say the episode reflects broader concerns about transparency, accountability, and the growing political profile of the Kadyrov family within the North Caucasus region amid ongoing debate over power succession and governance practices there.
