Kadyrov was killed on 9 May 2004 in the 2004 Grozny stadium bombing , in what is disputed to be a deliberate assassination . Control of the Kadyrovtsy was inherited by his son , Ramzan Kadyrov , who was already the second-in-command of the militia . At this point , the backbone of the militia was still made up of former separatist fighters ( more than 70 % in 2004 according to the Russian military sources ) , and allegiance to their new leader was questioned . Many of them continued as members of the Kadyrovtsy under Ramzan due to the pressure upon the welfare of their relatives , as coercion was commonly used in Chechnya to demand compliance . The practice of hostage taking in particular was widespread and affected many in the country , including the former rebel Minister of Defence Magomed Khambiyev . Shortly after Akhmad Kadyrov 's death , the unit of the Kadyrovtsy responsible for his protection was formally liquidated , and most of the remaining units were integrated into the system of Russian law enforcement agencies and security authorities in Chechnya under the Ministry of Internal Affairs . By 2005 , two units were formed : the " Akhmad Kadyrov " Second Road Patrol Regiment of the Police ( PPSM-2 , Kadyrov Regiment ) , and the Oil Regiment '' Neftepolk '' headed by the Kadyrov 's cousin Adam Delimkhanov , comprising around 1,500 to 2,000 men , respectively . By 2006 , the total strength of the Kadyrovtsy , which by then included the PPSM-2 , the Oil Regiment , and so-called Anti-Terrorist Centers ( commanded by Muslim Ilyasov ) , was not disclosed . Memorial 's estimations spoke of around 5,000 people , and in 2007 a similar estimation was made by Reuters
2004 Grozny stadium bombing
2004 Grozny stadium bombing
Kadyrovtsy