President Putin paid tribute to Akhmat Kadyrov, the leader of Chechnya, who died in a terrorist attack in Grozny today.
He was a truly heroic man, Mr Putin stressed.
Under Article 76 of the Constitution of the Chechen Republic, the acting head of the republic will be Sergei Abramov, the Prime Minister of the Chechen Government.
See also
Statement at a Meeting with Ramzan Kadyrov
May 9, 2004