Analysts considered the heroization of Kadyrov's sons a factor of irritation.

The awarding of high honors and titles, such as Hero of Chechnya, to the sons of Ramzan Kadyrov does not add popularity to either them or Kadyrov Sr.: for most people, such gestures provoke irritation, mockery, and bewilderment, even if someone wants to interpret them as political signals.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the title of Hero of Chechnya, which is awarded by the head of the region, was received on August 7 by Ramzan Kadyrov's eldest son, the Deputy Prime Minister of Chechnya and Minister of Physical Culture and Sports Akhmat Kadyrov - with the wording "for contributions to the development of physical culture and sports". A few months earlier, at the end of March, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to Akhmat Kadyrov for his merits in the field of physical culture and sports.

By awarding his son the title of Hero of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov was trying to remind people of himself ahead of the regional elections, believes a member of the Adam Smith Center council, political scientist Sergey Boyko. In his opinion, with this award, Kadyrov was also trying to raise the political capital of Akhmat Kadyrov Jr., although this makes no sense.

“Inside and outside Chechnya, this is perceived rather satirically. It is clear that there is nothing heroic in the development of infrastructure and support for young athletes. Also, there is no visible internal struggle between Ramzan's sons yet, as they are not independent political subjects and are completely dependent on their father's will,” Boyko explained to a correspondent of the “Caucasian Knot.”

Such awards provoke irritation, bewilderment, or mockery in society and certainly do not add to Ramzan Kadyrov's popularity, believes blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov*.

“They definitely do not add to Kadyrov's popularity and public support. For Kadyrov's sons, this is probably just a necessary formality - to collect all the highest awards of the region,” he told a correspondent of the “Caucasian Knot.”

The order of awarding Kadyrov's sons with high titles does not have decisive significance in the context of possible succession, as “this issue is ultimately decided in the Kremlin,” he pointed out.

"And the presence of regional awards will not have primary importance in this regard," the blogger added.

Different people in Chechnya may see different signals in the awarding of Kadyrov's son, noted the head of the “Civic Assistance” committee Svetlana Gannushkina.*

“Some are once again convinced that the dynasty is strong, while others are irritated by such a demonstrative display of omnipotence - especially since Ramzan Kadyrov's sons have long earned a reputation as lawbreakers,” she noted.

Some may interpret the awarding of the elder son as a signal that the successor to the father will more likely be Akhmat, rather than Adam, who is infamous for beating an inmate.

"This may reassure people who were afraid of the possibility of being under Adam's rule," Gannushkina told the “Caucasian Knot.”

* included in the Russian register of foreign agents.

** the activities of the Meta company (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) are banned in Russia.