Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov rarely gives large detailed interviews.
The fact itself is an event. Of course, Kadyrov often blows up the blogosphere on the web driving his haters crazy. Today, on Channel Russia 1 Ramzan Kadyrov will appear in the program "Actors" by Nailia Asker-Zade. Nobody got a more honest interview from Grozny. Here's a fragment of it.
Ramzan Kadyrov: "Where are my gloves? Bring me my gloves!"
Ramzan Kadyrov visits the "Akhmat" fight club quite often. Chechen boxers regularly compete and win at international competitions. Ramzan Kadyrov himself is a master of sports in boxing. He loves the sport so much that he sometimes watches tournaments on the screen of his phone.
People: "Akhmat power!"
Alexander Emelianenko is his sparring partner, a famous boxer, multiple world and Russian champion in combat sambo. He has recently signed a contract for several fights with the Akhmat club.
- Isn't it scary to hit the Chechen leader?
Alexander Emelianenko: "We're all equal at the gym".
This year Chechnya made it into the top five most athletic regions list. The republic has a lot of similar clubs where competitions of various levels take place. Sport is a national hobby in Chechnya. That's clear, since even its leader always begins or ends his day in the gym. All the news about our athletes being possibly banned from the Olympics is monitored here very attentively. They say that banning the Russian flag and hymn at the opening ceremony was...
Ramzan Kadyrov: "... Not even unfair. That's politics at play. The Olympics are a sports event, it is a shame on all states that are trying to do this. And a shame on those of our athletes who will be performing under a different flag".
Kadyrov knows from his own experience that sports and politics are tightly intertwined. After the events in Crimea in 2014, Germany refused to pay the prize money that two of Kadyrov's horses won at a race. Some of his other horses were locked in a stable in the Czech Republic.
Ramzan Kadyrov: "Halt, Kazbek. I'm not Kazbek, but I'll halt as well".
- Did your horses suffer from the sanctions? Did you manage to get them back?
Ramzan Kadyrov: Our horses got some first-hand experience with western democracy. They are still there. But, well, they participate. Sometimes they win. And they are taken care of. I think we'll return them eventually.
Grozny was in ruins in the 90s. Over the years, it's changed dramatically. Districts with functioning infrastructure: skyscrapers, blooming gardens and parks and wide roads. One of those roads, at the center of Grozny, next to the Heart of Chechnya mosque, is named after Putin.
- You are one of the most vocal supporters of Vladimir Putin. How does he react to such a display of affection? You have called him an idol once.
Ramzan Kadyrov: He's truly my idol. He's got all the qualities. His masculinity, first of all. Chechen are very grateful people. Were it not for his will, strength and courage not only the Chechen Republic would have perished but whole Russia, we have Syria as an example.
More than 90 terrorists were saved in Syria thanks to the Republic's new aid program. The biggest group — almost 40 people — was brought to Grozny in the middle of November.
- How many Chechen are currently fighting for ISIS in Syria? Are there any numbers?
Ramzan Kadyrov: Well, right now, it's impossible to say because the majority was eliminated. The majority of Chechens fighting there were living in Europe prior to the conflict. They went to Syria from Europe.
Kadyrov calls Chechnya the safest region in Russia.
Ramzan Kadyrov: he caucasus is Russia’s backbone, it means safety. There are more warriors in the Caucasus than in the other regions.
- Do you enjoy having people be afraid of you?
Ramzan Kadyrov: t's good when your enemies are afraid of you. Easier to fight them that way. All my life I've been a warrior. And I'm always ready to fulfill my orders. I'll fulfill my combat task.
- Ramzan Kadyrov: "Salaam Alaykum!"
- Dancers: "Alaykum Salaam!"
- The greatest dancers.
- The pride of the Republic?
Ramzan Kadyrov: ot just pride, hope. The hope of our people. Not just the pride of Chechnya.
The Vainakh Ensemble was founded in 1939 and has garnered worldwide fame. Together with the dancers we are looking at tables full of delicacies. There are cheese, sausages, and, of course, bread.
- All grown in Chechnya?
Ramzan Kadyrov: Our own harvest. Natural products.
- Don't you want to take a bite?
Ramzan Kadyrov: y coach wouldn't let me.
This year's harvest was the largest in over 20 years. The number of eager to be farmers and those ready to invest in agriculture is growing.
- When will Chechnya be able to feed itself?
Ramzan Kadyrov: We're already almost self-sustainable in most fields.
Tourism plays an important role in Chechnya. The most long-awaited project for skiing fans is the opening of the Veduchi resort.
Ramzan Kadyrov: We are planning to launch the resort this year. The first tracks. Next year it'll function at its full capacity. There would be hotels with small detached houses instead of apartments. Personally, I'm not a fan. I've skied a couple of times as a kid.
- Will you try to learn?
Ramzan Kadyrov: Sure. I'll try.
- Back to the Vainakh Ensemble. The dancers perform not only in Russia. They won competitions in France, Italy, and Spain. It's understandable when one is dancing so zealously, it's hard not to succeed.
Nailia Asker-Zade, Sergey Goretsky, Oleg Zlobin. Vesti — News of the Week, the Chechen Republic.
