Adam Kadyrov Awarded Second 'Hero of Chechnya' Medal

Adam Kadyrov, son of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, has been awarded his second "Hero of Chechnya" title at the age of 18. The award was given for "comprehensive support" to Russia's war in Ukraine, according to a Telegram post on Friday by Magomed Daudov, a close ally of Ramzan Kadyrov. Daudov noted that the award also coincided with the celebration of Russia Day, a national holiday.

Kadyrov received his first Hero of Chechnya award at age 15 in 2023, following a high-profile beating of a young Russian man accused of burning the Quran in a pre-trial detention center. Russian authorities turned a blind eye to the incident. Since then, Kadyrov has accumulated several awards and was appointed to senior positions in his native Chechnya, including assistant to the head of the republic and secretary of the Chechen security council.

Daudov, who fought on the side of rebels during both Chechen wars but later switched sides after then-leader Akhmat Kadyrov promised to pardon separatist fighters, received the Hero of Russia award in 2007. Ramzan Kadyrov promoted Daudov, who has been accused of widespread human rights abuses, to the rank of major general.