In a new escalation of rhetoric against the Kremlin and its allies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the United States to expand its pressure on Russia, proposing a qualitative operation aimed at overthrowing Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov , inspired by what he described as the “Venezuelan scenario” that Washington implemented with President Nicolas Maduro.
Replicating the Venezuelan scenario
In his remarks, Zelenskyy asserted that recent US actions toward Maduro have unequivocally demonstrated that Washington possesses effective tools and a genuine ability to influence the international landscape and reach figures it considers hostile to democracy. The Ukrainian president emphasized, "The process of dealing with Maduro has shown that the United States has the capacity to influence Moscow should the political will exist.".
Zelensky believes that targeting Kadyrov, who is one of the most prominent “hawks” of the Russian war, will make Russian President Vladimir Putin “think twice” before proceeding with his ongoing military operations against Kyiv, noting that Washington “knows how to do it” and should use its influence to end the war.
Kadyrov: Putin's striking arm
Zelensky's invitation comes at a time when Ramzan Kadyrov is playing a pivotal role in the Russian-Ukrainian war. Kadyrov has ruled the Russian republic of Chechnya with an iron fist since 2007, inheriting power and influence to reshape the relationship between Grozny and Moscow, becoming one of Putin's closest and most loyal allies.
Since the outbreak of war in February 2022, Kadyrov has not only provided political support but has also sent thousands of Chechen fighters (known as the Akhmat forces) to the front lines in Ukraine, where they participated in major battles such as Mariupol and Bakhmut. Kadyrov is often referred to as “Putin’s infantryman” due to his unwavering loyalty and willingness to carry out difficult missions that serve the Kremlin’s agenda.
Strategic dimensions and impact of the step
Strategically, Zelensky understands that targeting Kadyrov is not just about removing a military leader, but also about destabilizing Russia's home front. Kadyrov is seen as a guarantor of calm in the historically volatile North Caucasus region, and any sudden removal of him could lead to security chaos that would distract Moscow from its foreign wars.
Moreover, removing a figure of Kadyrov's stature would represent a severe blow to the Russian leadership's morale and a strong deterrent message to Moscow's other allies. Zelensky's earlier, albeit somewhat humorous, hints that Putin should meet a similar fate to Maduro underscore his conviction that military solutions alone may not be sufficient to end the conflict and that direct pressure on the regime's leadership is the shortest path to peace.
These statements indicate Kyiv’s desire to draw the United States into a deeper and bolder involvement in the conflict, going beyond military and economic support to include intelligence and security operations targeting the structure of the Russian regime and its regional allies.
