FSB insiders claim the Kremlin is furious about Kadyrov’s search for a new haven for his assets.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the authoritarian ruler of Chechnya, has angered the Kremlin over his secret talks with Muslim monarchies in the Middle East, where he is looking for a safe haven for his family and wealth.

An investigation by IStories quotes officials in the Federal Security Service (FSB) as saying that Russian President Vladiimr Putin is furious about Kadyrov’s unannounced frequent trips, which betray distrust in Moscow.

The core of the issue is Kadyrov’s deteriorating health – according to another investigation, by Novaya Gazeta, the Chechen leader suffers from severe kidney and pancreatic problems. In the event of his death, the Kadyrov clan’s rule in Chechnya is likely to come to an end, with possible devastating consequences for his family.

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Kadyrov hopes to find a country that could harbor his family and wealth if things go wrong for him and his relatives, who are currently in key positions in the Chechen administration and economy.

Earlier reports claimed that the Kadyrovs had acquired properties in several Middle East countries, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

While some Chechen rivals may seek revenge for Kadyrov’s crimes, including extrajudicial killings, others might be tempted to seize his assets in this de facto independent Caucasian republic. The federal government in Moscow, which is keen to keep Chechnya under its sovereignty, isn’t deemed reliable for guarantees in Grozny as it could negotiate the power transfer to any other clan for the sake of peace in the Chechen republic.

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Judging by the difficulty he has speaking, Kadyrov’s illness is progressing. Although he attempts to conceal his deteriorating condition by increasing his media activity, he has vanished from public view for extended periods in January and February.

He has lately abstained from hawkish statements and appeared on television inspecting institutions and troops – most likely in pre-recorded footage.

Russia invaded Chechnya twice – in 1994–1996 and 1999–2000 – and both times lost; it could restore indirect control in 2009, thanks to feuds between Chechen clans. Putin bet on the Kadyrovs.

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