Could Chechen leader Kadyrov be Kremlin assassins’ next target after the death of his ally, Yevgeny Prigozhin? Russian opposition politician says he is a threat to Putin because of his army, much like Wagner

A Russian opposition politician has claimed that Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen Republic and a long-time ally of Putin, could suffer the same fate as Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin if his criticism of Russia’s defense ministry continues.

Former Russian MP Dmitry Gudkov, 43, who firmly opposes the war in Ukraine, told the anti-Kremlin channel Nexta this week that he suspects Kadyrov’s position as “Putin’s bloodhound” may be under threat.

Gudkov drew comparisons between Prigozhin and Kadyrov, pointing out that the Chechen leader regularly praised the mercenary’s work in Russia and accused the Russian military of incompetence on several occasions.

Kadyrov also has his own private army and has sent several Chechen units to fight in Ukraine – following Prigozhin’s deployment of Wagner mercenary fighters – some of whom have reportedly clashed with regular Russian army units.

“There will be a conflict with Kadyrov, I’m sure. Because Kadyrov is one of the biggest opponents of the Russian state.’ Gudkov told Nexta.

“Kadyrov has his own army, which is well prepared. And Kadyrov has great influence outside the security apparatus. The inner tension is increasing.’

Putin has so far succeeded in integrating the Chechens into the Russian power structure, with Kadyrov as their top representative.

But, as Gudkov argues, “Putin has stopped playing refereeing between different Kremlin factions. More precisely, he can no longer cope with this role. The conflicts penetrate into the outside world.’

Gudkov’s remarks come after The Moscow Times reported that Putin has “ordered secret services to prepare for the threat of a new military uprising,” Kremlin sources said.

There are concerns that Wagner hardliners are directly blaming Putin for Prigozhin’s death and planning to demand retribution.

There were signs that a massive security operation was about to be mounted at the Serafimovsky cemetery in St Petersburg, where the quiet burials of at least some Wagner figures reportedly began today.

“Tanks approaching less than 200 kilometers from Moscow made an indelible impression on Vladimir Putin, who ruled for more than 20 years,” reports The Moscow Times.

“Prigozhin not only defied the army command, but also disobeyed a personal order from the president and was therefore considered a threat to the regime,” four sources told the paper.

Putin wants Wagner’s mercenary army to be disbanded, even if it was his invention, using his once-loyal henchman Prigozhin as its head.

In the future, all members of private military companies like Wagner must declare allegiance to the Russian state – and to Putin.

“Many members of Wagner believe that authorities may be behind Prigozhin’s death,” said Oleg Ignatov, an analyst at the International Crisis Group.

“And the authorities cannot ignore such risks.”

This comes as the Kremlin prepares to rig next year’s Russian presidential election to ban youthful rival candidates who would make the dictator, 70, appear like a “grandfather.”

Another extraordinary report from the independent media outlet Meduza indicates that Putin is — illegally — banning young candidates from next March’s Russian presidential election, when the dictator will be 71, and demanding a six-year term in office that will take him to age 77.

A prominent rival candidate, 47-year-old Alexei Navalny, was sentenced this month to a further 19 years in prison, barring him from posing any political threat to Putin.

Only stooge candidates will be admitted after being ‘screened’ by Putin officials.

Another younger candidate Vladislav Davankov, 39, deputy speaker of the Russian parliament, risks a suspension because he is considered too young.

“An energetic young candidate could get voters thinking about the president’s age,” the report said.

A source said: “This would not be a flattering contrast.”

Two Kremlin insiders told Meduza that “politicians under the age of 50 were deliberately excluded from the nomination because a younger candidate on the ballot could make voters pause and wonder if 70-year-old Putin is still the same person.” who came to power. with a firm hand”.’

Putin’s main rival is expected to be 78-year-old Gennady Zyuganov, leader of the Communist Party.

He will not pose a threat to Putin because “he will not attract new voters beyond his existing petrified electorate.”

A younger communist candidate has been barred from his term of office.

Another rival is expected to be 55-year-old Leonid Slutsky, leader of the ultra-nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, who has been accused by female journalists of being a sexual predator.

He is seen as a “serious man in a suit”, but his “personal rank is low” and he will not pose a threat to Putin.

In the 2018 presidential election, glamorous TV star Ksenia Sobchak (41), also known as Putin’s “goddaughter,” stood against him.

It’s unclear if she’ll do that again.

She has known Putin since she was a child and he was present at her baptism, but she has liberal credentials.

Still, she poses no serious threat to him and scores less than two percent of the vote.

Despite rumors of ill health, it seems that Putin has no intention of quitting and intends to remain in the Kremlin for life.