Ramzan Kadyrov assumed office today as the Head of the Chechen Republic for a new five-year term.
The ceremony took place in Grozny on his 50th birthday, which coincided with the 208th anniversary of the Chechen capital. Following the elections held on September 18–20, Kadyrov—according to official figures—received 99.85% of the vote, surpassing his own previous record of 99.7% set in 2021.
Before the inauguration, Kadyrov emerged from his Grozny residence wearing a black leather coat styled like a traditional *cherkeska* (Circassian coat) and a *papakha* (fur hat); he then proceeded to the ceremony accompanied by his sons, Akhmat and Adam, and his nephew, Khamzat Kadyrov.
He took the oath of office in both Chechen and Russian, after which the Chairman of the Chechen Government, Magomed Daudov, presented him with the standard of the Head of the Republic.
"Today, I assume the office of Head. This entails a great responsibility before the Almighty, the people, and the President of Russia. I pledge to defend the Quran, the Constitutions of Russia and the Chechen Republic, and the rights of our residents to life and to a happy future for our children. This is my duty. This is my word. The word of Ramzan Kadyrov," Kadyrov solemnly declared after taking office. The inauguration was attended by Yury Chaika, the Russian Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the North Caucasian Federal District, as well as the heads of neighboring republics: Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov of Ingushetia, Kazbek Kokov of Kabardino-Balkaria, Rashid Temrezov of Karachay-Cherkessia, Sergey Menyailo of North Ossetia, and the Acting Head of Dagestan, Fedor Shchukin.
Numerous relatives of the Chechen leader were also present at the ceremony, including his mother—Aymani, President of the Akhmat Kadyrov Foundation—his first wife Medni Kadyrova, and his sisters, children, and nephews.
Kadyrov received congratulations from more than just the ceremony's guests. According to him, Vladimir Putin was the first to congratulate him on his 50th birthday, in keeping with tradition. The Chechen leader recounted that the President wished him success and the entire Chechen people happiness, and asked him to convey his gratitude to the republic's residents.
To mark Kadyrov’s milestone birthday, Patriarch Kirill awarded him the Order of Glory and Honor, 1st Class. In his congratulatory message, the Patriarch noted Kadyrov’s long-standing service in government and specifically linked the award to his contributions toward ensuring security, the socio-economic development of Chechnya, and interfaith harmony.
Kazbek Kokov, the Head of Kabardino-Balkaria, wished Ramzan Kadyrov "health and continued work in his post," noting his contribution to Chechnya's development. Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov offered special congratulations to Kadyrov on his promotion to the rank of General of the Army. Fedor Shchukin described the inauguration day as "historic not only for Chechnya and the Caucasus but for Russia as well." Congratulatory telegrams were also sent to Kadyrov by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Chief of the Presidential Staff Anton Vaino, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, Presidential Aide Alexey Dyumin, and many others.
This inauguration marked the fifth for Ramzan Kadyrov. He has led Chechnya since 2007; his inaugurations in 2016 and 2021 also took place on October 5—his birthday.
Alongside the inauguration, City Day events were held in Grozny throughout the day. October 5 was officially designated as Grozny Day starting in 2008; the decision to select this date—coinciding with Kadyrov's birthday—had been announced the previous year.
Historically, Grozny’s history dates back to June 22, 1818, when the Groznaya fortress was founded on the banks of the Sunzha River. It later lost its military significance and, on December 30, 1869, was granted the status of a district town within the Terek Oblast. Consequently, the city's current age of 208 years is calculated from the founding of the fortress.
The official city program on October 5 began at the "City of Military Glory" stele. Participants in the ceremony included Grozny Mayor Khas-Magomed Kadyrov, Executive Director of the Union of Cities of Military Glory Igor Sungurov, and representatives from Russian cities, sister cities, and international communities.
Afterward, the guests visited an ethnographic complex recreated in the central square, designed to resemble a traditional Chechen *aul* (mountain village). The site showcased traditional houses, household and agricultural implements, historical artifacts, and national cuisine. Nearby, an exhibition by the Vladimir Putin Russian University of Special Forces was on display.
The delegation then proceeded to the new Vladimir Putin District. There, guests were shown the Akhmat-Khadzhi Kadyrov pedestrian boulevard—currently nearing completion—and a complex comprising 38 apartment buildings. Stretching approximately 1.8 kilometers, the boulevard is set to become one of the district's key public spaces.
The day before, on October 4, a new residential complex with 672 apartments had already opened in Grozny. The three high-rise buildings feature commercial spaces, parking for 219 vehicles, and landscaped courtyards. That same day, a capsule was laid to mark the start of construction on "Cosmic," a 28-hectare amusement park. Future plans for the site include a planetarium, an amphitheater, a Ferris wheel, and other attractions; the project's investment value is estimated at five billion rubles.
The celebratory program extended beyond the official ceremonies. A hot-air balloon fiesta took place over Grozny from October 3 to 5, and on October 4, the city hosted the ACA 208 tournament, held to mark both City Day and Kadyrov’s 50th birthday.
