MOSCOW -- Among all of the regional leaders in Russia, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s social media presence is far and away the most striking. And even though he has recently spoken out against using American social media networks, he hasn’t exactly stopped using his popular Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts.
Besides the above three, Kadyrov also has an account on Russia’s most popular social media platform, VKontakte, as well as a LiveJournal blog.
While his extensive social media presence seems to be at least somewhat managed, there is also a simplicity to its style that appears to show Kadyrov for who he really is -- which is to say he is cleverer than many people give him credit for, and is a force for the rest of Russia to reckon with, whether it wants to or not.
Kadyrov became head of Chechnya in 2007. His father, then-Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov, was assassinated in 2004. The Kadyrov family had fought against the Russians in the First Chechen War, but switched sides in 1999, and later aligned with the Kremlin.
Kadyrov has openly admitted to have killed in revenge for his father’s death.
Western media often portrays Kadyrov as just a burly caveman who likes to post cute photos of himself with animals and children as a means to deflect from his ferocious reputation. (Alongside his security forces, Kadyrov has been accused of numerous human rights violations.)
In reality, though, Kadyrov embraces that reputation in the vast majority of his social media posts.
#Repost @lord_095 Юсуп совсем еще маленький. Он только учится произносить первые в своей жизни слова. Но Юсуп хорошо знает своего ДОРОГОГО ДЯДЮ РАМЗАНА. Он восторженно встречает его, сразу же спешит занять место на руках и всем демонстрировать, как его любит РАМЗАН-ХАДЖИ! Фото опубликовано Аллах Велик!!! (@kadyrov_95) Фев 28 2015 в 8:31 PST
He slams "the hypocrisy of the enemies of Russia," saying that stories about the Kremlin possibly falling out with Chechnya over Boris Nemtsov's murder (a former member of Kadyrov's security battalions is accused of pulling the trigger) are meant to destabilize the country:
He displays his love of martial arts:
He engages in diplomacy:
He shoots a gold-plated gun (because why not?):
Дорогие друзья! Сегодня у меня был один из очень редких выходных дней. Мы с друзьями заехали в виртуальный тир. Провели импровизированное соревнование. Чемпионом никого не объявили. Все были едины во мнении, что нужно периодически заглядывать в тир. #Кадыров #Россия #Чечня #Друзья #Отдых #Тир Видео опубликовано Аллах Велик!!! (@kadyrov_95) Мар 9 2015 в 1:04 PDT
By sharing all the of this, Kadyrov is, in fact, being very calculating. And his calculations have paid off.
It has long been said in Moscow -- both by supporters and detractors of Russian President Vladimir Putin's government -- that the Kremlin needs Kadyrov to do just one job: keep Chechnya stable. If that means ruling with an iron fist, then so be it, it has decided. An atmosphere of repressions is of very little political consequence; for example, if human rights activists are killed they're just seen as collateral damage.
Raw power is what matters above all, and Kadyrov doesn't only have it, he knows how to show it.
Everything Kadyrov posts on social media demonstrates how he uses political instincts to secure his position in an environment in which power and hierarchy reign supreme.
Kadyrov's language is fierce when he is criticizing real and perceived enemies, but he is just as good at projecting an aura of benevolence and calm. Those latter traits are important because they make you look secure, and no prominent leader in the North Caucasus can afford to look insecure.
Я безгранично благодарен Всевышнему Аллаху за то, что он даровал мне семью, которая соблюдает нормы Ислама и традиции предков. Все мальчики и девочки стали Хафизами, а малютка Ашура берет с них пример. Самые тяжелые невзгоды забываешь, когда вот так с детьми садишься за стол и слушаешь их рассказы. #Кадыров #Россия #Чечня #Семья Фото опубликовано Аллах Велик!!! (@kadyrov_95) Фев 2 2015 в 9:57 PST
Besides Kadyrov's love of sports and swag, he also spends a tremendous amount of time posting about prayer and the importance of Islam in daily life. Legitimacy is important, and again, no prominent leader in the North Caucasus is going to appear legitimate if he neglects religion.
#Repost @zaur_95x with @repostapp. ・・・ Дорогие друзья! В эту благословенную пятницу тысячи мусульман совершили утренний намаз в центральной мечети имени Ташу-Хаджи г. Гудермес. На призыв муэдзина откликаются верующие самых отдаленных населённых пунктов нашего района и заполняли святыню, чему я безмерно рад. Примеру Главы ЧР Р.А.Кадырова с каждым днем следует всё больше и больше мусульман не только Гудермеса, но и всей республики. Дала къобал дойл вай Iуьйра ламаз!☝️ Фото опубликовано Аллах Велик!!! (@kadyrov_95) Фев 6 2015 в 1:41 PST
Kadyrov's social media presence also lends itself to subtler political maneuvering. When Dozhd TV, Russia's only independent news channel, recently theorized that Nemtsov's murder was the result of infighting between two prominent Chechen officials, Kadyrov published Instagram photos showing himself standing with these officials the very next day.
People may occasionally laugh at Kadyrov's Instagram antics, but his posts ultimately display a man who is clear about the role he is expected to play, and is happy to play it to the hilt.
What's more, that role is paying off. Most Russians approve of Kadyrov's leadership, according to a new poll by the independent Levada Center.
This doesn't mean they're ardent fans of his, especially as Russians are adept at telling pollsters what they think the government wants to hear. However, it does mean the threat of destabilization in Chechnya outweighs any concerns most Russians may have about Kadyrov, his rule, and the people who serve or have served under him -- even after one of those people apparently went on to shoot a politician right next to the Kremlin's walls.
Barring any great upheavals, Kadyrov isn't going anywhere soon. Expect more golden pistols.