Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Putin Ally Kadyrov Wins Chechnya Election With 99.85%
Ramzan Kadyrov won another election to lead Chechnya, a region in Russia.
The election commission said he received almost every vote.
His reported share was 99.85 percent.
This was slightly higher than his result in 2021.
Kadyrov is a strong supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He has also supported Russia’s war in Ukraine and says Chechen forces have fought there since 2022.
Critics say elections in Chechnya are not conducted fairly.
Human rights groups have also accused Kadyrov’s government of serious rights violations, which he denies.
Ramzan Kadyrov was re-elected to a fifth term as leader of Chechnya.
Russia’s Central Electoral Commission said Kadyrov received 99.85% of the vote.
The result was slightly higher than Kadyrov’s 99.73% share in 2021.
Kadyrov is a close ally of President Vladimir Putin and supports Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Rights groups and international observers have criticized elections and alleged abuses under Kadyrov’s government.
- Who
- Ramzan Kadyrov, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was re-elected.
- What
- Kadyrov won a fifth term as leader of Chechnya with 99.85% of the vote, according to Russia’s Central Electoral Commission.
- When
- The election concluded on Sunday, with the result announced on Monday.
- Where
- Chechnya, a mainly Muslim region in southern Russia.
- Why
- The election was held as part of Russia’s national and regional elections; Kadyrov’s rule is tied to maintaining stability in Chechnya.
Critics and Rights Groups
Kadyrov and Supporters
Election credibility
Critics and Rights Groups
International observers have sharply criticized the conduct of elections in Chechnya, and the reported near-unanimous result has drawn scrutiny.
Kadyrov and Supporters
Kadyrov rejects criticism as Western-backed efforts to undermine his rule.
Governance and rights
Critics and Rights Groups
Human rights organizations have accused Kadyrov’s government of widespread violations, including abuses against journalists and homosexuals.
Kadyrov and Supporters
Kadyrov’s government denies the allegations and presents stability in Chechnya as a central priority.
Relationship with Moscow
Critics and Rights Groups
Critics describe Kadyrov as having broad autonomy to govern Chechnya as a personal fiefdom.
Kadyrov and Supporters
Kadyrov emphasizes his loyalty to Vladimir Putin, while the Kremlin relies on him to help ensure regional stability.
- Winner
- Ramzan Kadyrov
- Position
- Leader of Chechnya
- Term
- Fifth term
- Reported vote share
- 99.85%
- Previous result
- 99.73% in 2021
- Political ally
- Russian President Vladimir Putin
- Election context
- Most anti-war candidates were barred from running, according to the report