Just week's before Vladimir Putin is expected to kick off his election campaign, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov says he wants to resign.
And it appeared to catch the Kremlin off guard.
On this week's Power Vertical Briefing, we look at what is behind Kadyrov's unexpected announcement.
Joining me is RFE/RL's News Editor Steve Gutterman.
Enjoy...
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The Briefing: Kadyrov's Game
NOTE: The Power Vertical Briefing is a short look ahead to the stories expected to make news in Russia in the coming week. It is hosted by Brian Whitmore, author of The Power Vertical blog, and appears on Mondays.