Ramzan Kadyrov, one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top strongmen, reportedly paid an unexpected visit to Ukraine on Monday, and a Chechen official claimed the ruler of Russia’s Chechen Republic has had his military rank elevated.

Kadyrov was reportedly in the besieged eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol to boost the morale of Russian combat forces. The Chechen leader claimed he traveled with a small delegation from his republic to deliver new uniforms and humanitarian aid to troops and to “get acquainted with the detailed action plan” of Russian forces in the city.