Kadyrov has broken the tradition of heading the "United Russia" list in Chechnya.

In the upcoming State Duma elections, the Chechen list of "United Russia" will be headed for the first time since 2007 not by Ramzan Kadyrov, but by current deputies from the region.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", during a live line on December 14, Ramzan Kadyrov stated that he is fed up with power, but will run for the head of the republic in 2026 if the president offers and the people support him. On April 29, Kadyrov met with Putin in Moscow and secured his support, once again calling himself his "infantryman". During this meeting, Putin expressed hope that "the residents of Chechnya will support" Kadyrov again in the elections scheduled for September 20.

For the first time in 19 years, Ramzan Kadyrov did not head the "United Russia" list in the State Duma elections. Since 2007, when Kadyrov became the head of Chechnya, he has consistently been the first on the regional party list in Duma elections, and the current campaign is the first exception to this rule, noted "Novaya Gazeta".

The list for the upcoming elections in September, presented on the official party website, is headed by deputy Shamsail Saraliyev, followed by his colleagues from the faction Ruslan Lechkhadzhiev and Akhmed Dogayev. The fourth place is taken by the Prime Minister of Chechnya Magomed Daudov, one of Kadyrov's closest associates. Following him are the first deputy prime minister Isa Tumkhadzhiev and the head of the administration Galas Taimaskhanov. The candidate for the single-mandate district is deputy Adam Delimkhanov.

Kadyrov also missed the pre-election congress of "United Russia" in Moscow - the Chechen delegation was represented by Daudov, Minister of Press Akhmed Dudayev, and other officials, noted Telegram channels "Nezygar"* and "Govorит NeMoskva"*.

The tradition that Ramzan Kadyrov broke for the first time since 2007 is followed by all heads of the republics of the North Caucasus Federal District. In the Southern Federal District, the regional list of "United Russia" was not headed by two heads - governors of Rostov and Krasnodar regions Yuri Slyusar and Veniamin Kondratiev.

In early January, Ramzan Kadyrov commented on rumors about his hospitalization: in a video with the minister for national policy, he declared a "fighting spirit", although he did not look as vigorous and active in the recording as he claimed. On August 1, 2025, after rumors of hospitalization and a pause in public appearances, Kadyrov published a video of his workouts on a stationary bike, stating that he is "gradually" returning to training "after a break". In the first two months of 2025, Ramzan Kadyrov twice went on vacation, with less than two weeks between his public appearances after the first vacation and the announcement of the second. Versions regarding Ramzan Kadyrov's health are discussed in the report of "Caucasian Knot" "How Kadyrov was 'buried': speculations on the topic of death".

* included in the Russian register of foreign agents.

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