Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov congratulated Vladimir Putin on his birthday and stated that the Russian president's name holds "special significance" for the Chechen people. According to Kadyrov, the region will "never forget" the support Putin extended to his father—Chechnya’s first president, Akhmat-Khadzhi Kadyrov—"at a time when the future of the Chechen Republic depended on the decisions being made."

Kadyrov wrote that Putin believed in the possibility of a peaceful revival for Chechnya and entrusted that task to his father.

"It is particularly important to us that Russia is led by a president who has always firmly defended its interests and never allowed anyone else to decide our people's future for them," the Chechen leader added.

Kadyrov’s statement came just days after he assumed office for a new term as the head of Chechnya. The inauguration ceremony took place on October 5—his 50th birthday—in Grozny.

As recently as last December, Kadyrov had spoken of his reluctance to continue in the role.

"If you ask me, I am fed up with this power and with serving the people," he declared at the time, adding, however, that he would agree to run in the election if Putin proposed it.

On October 3, Kadyrov was awarded the rank of General of the Army. The shoulder boards were presented to him by Viktor Zolotov, the Director of the National Guard (Rosgvardia), following a decree signed by Putin. Kadyrov described the promotion as an "advance" [an act of trust in anticipation of future results].

Kadyrov had also previously stated that he would carry out all tasks assigned by Putin regarding the "special military operation."