Ramzan Kadyrov’s Personal Hitman Killed in Ukraine War

Death of Artur Denisultanov

According to Главком: Artur Denisultanov, widely recognized as the personal assassin of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, has been killed while fighting against Ukraine. Born in 1967 in Gudermes, Chechnya, Denisultanov operated under numerous aliases, including Artur Kurmakayev, Artur Krinari, Artur Denis Sultanov, Tishchenko, and Tsebro. In 2011, he was sentenced to eight years in prison by the Odintsovo City Court for a series of crimes.

Notably, Denisultanov’s name appeared in the murder case of Umar Israilov, who was shot dead in Vienna in 2009. On June 1, 2017, in Kyiv, Denisultanov attempted to assassinate Adam Osmaev, but Amina Okueva wounded him with a ceremonial pistol. A year later, on October 30, 2017, unknown gunmen attacked Osmaev and Okueva’s car, killing Okueva and injuring Osmaev. Denisultanov spent over two years in a Ukrainian pre-trial detention center.

Return to Combat

In December 2019, Denisultanov was included in a prisoner exchange list and handed over to representatives of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR). In February 2023, a Moscow court convicted him of fraud. Afterwards, he signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and was deployed to the front lines as a private rifleman in a motorized rifle division. His death was recorded on November 2, 2024, near Selydove in the Donetsk region, and officially registered by the Kurchaloyevsky District Registry Office in Chechnya in December 2024.

Adam Osmaev, who survived the assassination attempt, was granted Ukrainian citizenship in 2021. Reflecting on the events involving Denisultanov, Amina Okueva once stated:

“I have nothing more to say to him.”

The death of Artur Denisultanov, Kadyrov’s personal hitman, highlights the intricate dangers of the conflict in Ukraine and the role of individuals with criminal backgrounds in modern warfare. His activities in Ukraine and subsequent return to combat under a Russian Defense Ministry contract expose serious security issues and the challenges faced by Ukrainian society amid the war. Denisultanov’s demise may also have repercussions for his associates and those with a stake in the ongoing developments in eastern Ukraine.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has seen numerous casualties from both sides, including notable figures like Artur Denisultanov. In a parallel story, the bravery and sacrifice of individuals such as Dania, a senior lieutenant of the Azov regiment, also deserve recognition. His heroic actions during the fierce battles in Mariupol illustrate the complexities and human stories behind the headlines. To learn more about Dania's inspiring journey, read about his heroic efforts here.