According to a representative of the Chechen opposition organization NIYSO, which has inside information in Grozny, after the accident with Kadyrov’s son Adam, Daudov’s path to power is practically open
The opposition claims that Russian security forces consider him a more effective manager than many representatives of Kadyrov’s entourage. In contrast to the system of power built on family ties and personal loyalty, Daudov, as noted, showed the ability to act outside of clan obligations.
NIYSO states that over the years of work, Daudov has formed his own network of supporters in the security forces and authorities of the republic. According to their version, the FSB of the aggressor country of the Russian Federation had long considered him as a potential successor to Kadyrov, but this was prevented by the personal support of the Chechen leader from the illegitimate President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.
Oppositionists also suggest that if Daudov comes to power, he may begin a large-scale “purge” within the elite and get rid of people associated with the Kadyrov clan in order to form his own system of influence.
One of the most resonant episodes of his biography was the story of 2019, when Daudov publicly declared blood feud against opposition blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov. A year later, the blogger was attacked in Sweden, and later the court sentenced the two participants in the attack to 8–10 years in prison.
Context
Kadyrov has led Chechnya since 2007.
On March 3, 2023, the German publication Bild reported Kadyrov’s health problems: in recent months he has gained a lot of weight, looks “very flabby,” and in his videos he often cannot open his eyes.
In April 2024 “New newspaper Europe” reported that Kadyrov has incurable necrosis of the pancreas. Journalists noted that this is “an extremely serious disease, painful and difficult to cure, with a high mortality rate.”
In December 2025, Novaya Gazeta Europe wrote about a sharp deterioration in Kadyrov’s condition. A source close to the head of Russian Chechnya told reporters that “In Moscow they barely pumped him out.” On January 11, a media source at the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported that Kadyrov's kidneys failed.
On January 16, the media reported that Adam Kadyrov, whom his father appointed Secretary of the Security Council of Chechnya, got into an accident and that he is in serious condition. It was reported that he was taken to Moscow by helicopter.
The media noted that Kadyrov’s Telegram channel later posted a video with Adam, which was supposed to show that everything was fine with him, but the metadata of the video indicated that it had been filmed earlier.
