Chechnya’s Strongman Is Visibly Ailing. The Russian Region Is Bracing for Succession.

Amid rampant speculation about his health, Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin-allied strongman who rules the region, has been noticeably absent from view, while grooming his teenage son for the future.Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen strongman, is one of the closest allies of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. Growing speculation about his health has raised the question of who will take the reins when he leaves.