Since Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and 29 of his immediate family members have collectively been honored with 146 distinct awards and decorations, according to calculations by the Verstka newspaper.
The regional leader has received the highest number of these recognitions. Between 2022 and 2025, he was presented with 31 medals - averaging one award every 40 days, Verstka reported. Kadyrov accounts for 21.2% of all family honors, with 13 coming from various organizations. Notably, in May 2022, he was recognized for his "exceptional contributions to the advancement" of the Kurchatov Institute.
Adam Kadyrov, the Chechen leader's youngest son, ranks second in award count. The 17-year-old has received 16 medals and distinctions, with half awarded in October-November 2023. This followed his father's release of footage showing Adam assaulting Nikita Zhuravel, a Volgograd resident detained for allegedly desecrating the Quran.
The honors for Adam continued into 2024. He received Chechnya's highest honor, the Order of Kadyrov, in August, followed by the Hero of the Chechen Republic title in October. On March 27, Rosgvardiya chief Viktor Zolotov personally authorized awarding Adam their "For Combat Distinction" medal.
Verstka reports that Aishat Kadyrov, the leader's daughter, holds third place with ten awards since February 2022. These include the Order of Merit for the Fatherland (II Class), the titles of People's Artist and Honored Social Worker of Chechnya, plus the Order of Kadyrov.
Most family awards (82) are Chechen regional or state honors. Departmental recognitions form the second-largest category, with Kadyrov's relatives receiving 30 medals from various ministries and agencies since the conflict began.