Viktor Zolotov, head of Russia’s National Guard (Rosgvardia), presented Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov with the insignia of an army general in Grozny. Kadyrov was also awarded a maroon beret, a symbol of Rosgvardia’s special-purpose units.

Speaking at a ceremony at the residence of the head of Chechnya, Zolotov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered Kadyrov’s promotion to the new military rank. According to the Rosgvardia chief, Putin had personally instructed him to deliver the presidential decree to Kadyrov.

“Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has instructed me today to convey his decree awarding Hero of Russia Colonel General Kadyrov the next highest military rank of army general,” Zolotov said.

Zolotov added that the maroon beret was presented to Kadyrov in recognition of his contribution to the development of special-purpose units and the National Guard troops as a whole. Three days earlier, the agency marked another anniversary of the creation of its special-purpose units, with which the tradition of awarding the maroon beret is associated.

“In recognition of his merits in the development of the special-purpose unit and the National Guard troops as a whole, it was decided to present Army General Kadyrov with this important symbol of the law-and-order forces,” Zolotov said.

In 2022, the Russian president awarded the Chechen leader the rank of colonel general.