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By Isabel van Brugen
News Reporter
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Russian military bloggers have criticized a Chechen award ceremony for Adam Kadyrov, son of regional leader Ramzan Kadyrov, after the Russian national emblem was displayed without its Orthodox crosses.
Newsweek has contacted the Kremlin for comment by email.
Why It Matters
Under the leadership of Ramzan Kadyrov, the predominantly Muslim southern Russian republic of Chechnya has maintained a high degree of autonomy while remaining loyal to the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The exclusion of the Orthodox crosses is likely to displease the Russian leader.
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The incident comes as relations between Putin and the Chechen leader are reported to have deteriorated in recent months.
What To Know
On Monday, Adam Kadyrov, 17, was awarded a commemorative medal marking the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Akhmat-Grozny OMON, a special police unit.
According to The Moscow Times, Adam has received at least 16 state awards and has served as his father's chief bodyguard and an observer for a rifle battalion under the Russian Defense Ministry since 2023.
Some pro-Kremlin war correspondents noted on Telegram that Russia's national emblem was displayed during the ceremony without its Orthodox crosses.
"We've all long grown used to the 'disappearance of crosses.' Orthodox crosses have been erased from book covers, posters, signage—you name it. But never before on official state symbols. Now it's happened. The Russian coat of arms shown in the video from Chechnya has no crosses. It's not fake," said Russian military blogger Yuri Kotenok.
Pro-Kremlin Telegram channel RIA Katyusha said the Chechen leader "has gone too far."
"If this is indeed the case, and someone in Chechnya decided to erase the crosses on the Russian state emblem, the first thing that comes to mind is that Kadyrov has gone too far," the Telegram user wrote.
Russian military blogger Kirill Fedorov wrote: "Who dared and who will be held responsible for the fact that the state symbol was distorted at an official event?"
The pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Two Majors warned that removing the Orthodox crosses could have a damaging impact on interethnic relations.
What Happens Next
In March, Russian investigative outlet Important Stories reported that relations between Kadyrov and Putin had become strained over his alleged talks with representatives of Middle Eastern nations regarding the future of his assets and the safety of his family members.
Last week, he said he asked "to be relieved of my post" amid rumors of deteriorating health that will soon force him to step down.
Kadyrov is now preparing Adam Kadyrov to replace him as Chechen leader, according to a report from Novaya Gazeta Europe.
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