Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen Republic, shared a New Year message via his telegraph channel, extending warm wishes for 2023 and signaling the year ahead as a test of courage, endurance, and fidelity to homeland traditions. The message framed 2022 as a proving ground where resilience and loyalty to the people’s heritage were tested and affirmed, a reflection on the region’s ongoing role within the Russian federation.
In the post, Kadyrov highlighted tensions with Western nations, arguing that the prevailing human-rights norms in those countries have diverged from established values. He suggested that Russia’s rich tapestry of cultures and long-standing traditions, carried forward through generations, stands in defense of these values, the spiritual core, and national identity within the North Caucasus region and beyond.
The president asserted that the Chechen Republic has grown into a hub for volunteers from across Russia, who arrive to train and prepare through programs associated with national security and defense. He noted that volunteer training and related activities are conducted in collaboration with institutions linked to Russia’s specialized military education system, underscoring the region’s broader commitments in this domain.
Beyond defense initiatives, Kadyrov emphasized a broad portfolio of developmental projects spanning housing, education, and economic support. He claimed that social obligations have been met with notable success and that national programs have yielded tangible results, including robust support for small and medium-sized enterprises. He highlighted accelerated housing construction, claiming a substantial uptick in new homes, and pointed to the creation of dozens of schools and modern industrial facilities as indicators of progress.
Addressing the public, Kadyrov urged friends to greet 2023 with resolve to elevate the lives of citizens and strengthen the Fatherland. He delivered a hopeful farewell, using a phrase that mirrored cultural and regional expressions of goodwill while signaling a shared pursuit of growth and unity within the country.
Maria Zakharova, the official representative for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offered a message to Russians emphasizing sincere affection and solidarity. In a distinct spiritual and pastoral note, Patriarch Kirill called for reconciliation and unity among peoples as the year begins, framing this as a shared moral objective for the Russian nation. President Vladimir Putin offered traditional congratulations to the people, speaking from the Southern Military District headquarters about a year understood as a series of turning points that laid groundwork for future independence and resilience.