Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov was killed Sunday after a bomb ripped through a stadium in the Chechen capital during a Victory Day ceremony.

No group claimed responsibility for the explosion, which killed as many as 24 people. But the Associated Press said initial suspicion fell on separatist rebels, who have made Kadyrov a top target and attempted to assassinate him several times.

In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin vowed retribution for the assassination and justice for perpetrators.

Appearing on national television on Sunday, Putin eulogized Kadyrov, calling him a hero and a really brave person who personally represented Chechnya and Chechens and was confidently leading his republic to peaceful times.

The Kremlin also announced that it will now run what's left of the Chechen government from Moscow. Analysts say such a move signifies that an end to fighting and political solution is still far off.