Kadirovs un Kerimovs: Samierināšanās, “Wildberries” un Kremļa spēles
On 30 January 2026 Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov used his Telegram channel to publish a photo showing him shaking hands with Dagestan billionaire and Russian senator Suleiman Kerimov, calling the senator “my brother” and wishing him success in all endeavors.
Background of the Kadyrov‑Kerimov Rift
The public reconciliation follows a bitter dispute that began in 2024 over the e‑commerce platform Wildberries. On 18 September 2024 a shooting took place at Wildberries’ Moscow office, marking the first time Kadyrov mentioned Kerimov on social media.
Kadyrov had previously threatened Kerimov with blood‑revenge, accusing the senator, Deputy Bekhans Barhojev and Deputy Rizvan Kurbanov of ordering his assassination for 100 million rubles (October 10 2024). The conflict also involved Wildberries co‑founder Tatjana Bakaļčuka‑Kima (ranked #34 in Forbes 2025 Russian billionaires list) and the Mirzojan brothers, who were said to act on Kerimov’s behalf.
Earlier tensions dated back to the early 2010s when Kadyrov helped Kerimov become a co‑owner of the potash miner Uralkalij. Kerimov later sold the shares without Kadyrov’s knowledge, leaving the Chechen leader “empty‑handed” (source Agentstvo).
Handshake in the Kremlin
The handshake photo was reportedly taken in the Kremlin, most likely in the office of Anton Vaino, the chief of staff of the Russian president (source Agentstvo). Hours before publishing the image, Kadyrov posted a picture of Vaino’s office featuring a portrait of President Vladimir Putin framed by daisies.
On 29 January 2026 Kadyrov attended a meeting in the Kremlin with President Putin and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Halifa Bin Zayed al‑Nahyan, wearing the same attire seen in the handshake photos (source Проект).
Kremlin‑linked Telegram channel “Временное правительство 2.0” reported that the Kremlin had “strongly advised” Kadyrov to end all conflicts and resolve inter‑regional and ethnic tensions (source “Telegram”).
Implications for Regional Politics and Business
The public display of brotherhood may signal a strategic shift aimed at stabilising the North Caucasus ahead of a possible leadership transition in Chechnya and amid reports of Kadyrov’s worsening health. Aligning with Kerimov could also serve Kremlin interests by curbing intra‑regional rivalries.
Following the dispute, the merged entity “RWB” (Wildberries & Russ) came under the control of Jurij Kovaļčuks’s group, a faction close to President Putin (source “Wildberries” kontrolēs Putina līdzgaitnieki). This restructuring aligns the e‑commerce platform with Kremlin‑approved business structures.
Wildberries continues to rely on cheap migrant labour, including workers from North Korea and other countries, a factor that could have long‑term social and economic repercussions (source Traucē migrantofobija un darbaspēka trūkums).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kadyrov publicly greet Kerimov after previously threatening him?
The greeting coincided with Kremlin urging Kadyrov to cease conflicts and came amid a broader effort to ease inter‑regional tensions ahead of a potential power transition in Chechnya.
What sparked the conflict between Kadyrov and Kerimov?
The dispute stemmed from a struggle for control over the online retailer Wildberries, which escalated into a shooting at its Moscow office and accusations that Kerimov and two deputies had ordered Kadyrov’s assassination.
How was the Wildberries dispute ultimately resolved?
The merged Wildberries‑Russ entity (“RWB”) was placed under the control of Jurij Kovaļčuks’s group, a faction aligned with President Putin, consolidating the platform within Kremlin‑favoured business structures.
What impact might this public reconciliation have on the balance of power in the North Caucasus?