A Russian MP and close ally of Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov is believed wounded in a recent Ukrainian artillery attack that one Russian colonel claimed was orchestrated by members of Russia's own Wagner group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Moscow sources denied Ukrainian reports that Adam Delimkhanov was killed, but admitted the powerful Chechen figure had been injured in the attack which took place in Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhia region. 

In a dramatic departure from his typical hate-filled rants and 'no mercy' approach to the war in Ukraine, a frantic Kadyrov appealed to Kyiv's forces for information on the whereabouts and condition of his right-hand man.

'I myself can't find Adam Delimkhanov in any way. He doesn't get in touch,' Kadyrov wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

'I ask Ukrainian intelligence to provide information on exactly what place and what positions were hit, so that I can still find my dear BROTHER. I promise a generous reward and I ask you to help.'

Earlier this week Delimkhanov, 53, was in Belgorod region to meet with governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, arranging Chechen forces to bolster the Russian border which has been hit by incursions from anti-Putin partisans.

But Ukrainian political scientist Kirill Sazonov, who is fighting in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said Delimkhanov's off road convoy was hit during a visit to Primorsk, in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, and was attacked by gunners from the Banderlog MTR group.

Adam Delimkhanov is a close associate of Chechen Republic leader Ramzan Kadyrov

Adam Delimkhanov (left) is pictured alongside Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov

Ukrainian service members fire a shell from a howitzer at a front line, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Zaporizhzhia Region

A Russian colonel alleged that the Ukrainian artillery attack that targeted Delimkhanov was orchestrated by members of Russia's own Wagner group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin (pictured)

Ukrainian political scientist Kirill Sazonov, who is fighting in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said Delimkhanov's off road convoy was hit during a visit to Primorsk, in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region

Sazonov claimed that the deputy and a number of his associates died.

'Twelve helicopters arrived at the scene to secretly and promptly take out the bodies,' said Sazonov, who later posted the coordinates of the alleged Ukrainian strike.

Lt-Col Roman Venevitin - former commander of Russia's 72nd brigade - sensationally claimed that Delimkhanov was attacked after his location was leaked to 'enemy intelligence' by pro-Putin Wagner mercenary troops led by Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Venevitin was recently disarmed and captured by members of the Wagner group after he allegedly shot at a Wagner vehicle, underscoring the tension between members of Russia's regular army and the Wagner mercenary units. 

Prigozhin and Kadyrov were on good terms earlier in the war and agreed that Moscow's forces needed to step up their assaults on Ukraine, appealing to Putin to increase the intensity of Russia's 'special military operation'.

But the pair recently fell out after Prigozhin accused Kadyrov's forces of being unable to hold their positions in Donetsk. Kadyrov later retorted, calling Prigozhin 'a blogger who screams and shouts to the world'. 

'They have now taken revenge on Ramzan Kadyrov, who earlier threatened to reveal the sources of wealth of Prigozhin, who has been a food supplier for our army since 2006,' Venevitin said.

'Adam Delimkhanov, right-hand man of the President of Chechnya, is in critical condition after a targeted artillery attack by the UkroNazis.'

A dozen helicopters were needed rot repatriate the wounded and bodies, he claimed. 

'Unfortunately, the losses are significant,' Venevitin concluded.

Lt-Col Roman Venevitin - former commander of Russia's 72nd brigade - claimed that Delimkhanov was attacked after his location was leaked to 'enemy intelligence' by pro-Putin Wagner mercenary troops

Adam Delimkhanov, left, pictured with the Governor of Belgorod region of Russia Vyacheslav Gladkov

Kirill Sazonov shared coordinates of the attack which reportedly wounded Delimkhanov, claiming it took place near Primorsk in Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine

Adam Delimkhanov (left), Ramzan Kadyrov

Delimkhanov represents Chechnya in the Russian parliament, and was made a Hero of Russia - the country's highest honour - by Putin.

He is the closest ally and cousin of Kadyrov who in turn is a top Putin cheerleader, supplying thousands of troops to the dictator's illegal war in Ukraine.

Kadyrov said this week that he had instructed Delimkhanov to meet the Belgorod governor after the failure of Russian troops to defend the border.

'I am sure that, given the high combat capability of the [Chechen] Zapad-Akhmat battalion, the goals set for the unit will be achieved without much effort,' said Kadyrov.

Close Putin ally Vyacheslav Volodin insisted in a statement to Russian Parliament that Adam Delimkhanov was alive and said he had spoken to him.

But he did not give further details about an alleged strike on the MP.

'Just now we've seen information about [Russian MP] Adam Delimkhanov, that he is wounded, [and] whether he is alive or not.

'I have just spoken to him. He is alive…[and] wishes health to use all.'

The news was met with applause from Russian MPs, but concern grew when Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: 'We received this information with great concern, we are worried, like everyone else, for the Hero of Russia.

'We hope that in the very near future there will be some clarified information about what happened,' suggesting the Kremlin itself is not certain of Delimkhanov's condition.