Rumors have circulated for months that Kadyrov is seriously ill. The rumors gained new momentum last week when a spokesman for the Ukrainian intelligence service said that his condition had deteriorated significantly. Meanwhile, a Chechen opposition Telegram channel claimed that Kadyrov was in a coma.
Kadyrov: Take a walk in the fresh air
In an attempt to add fuel to the waves, two clips were published on Kadyrov’s social media on Sunday. In one of the clips, Kadyrov is seen walking on a footpath wearing rain gear and a hat. Kadyrov does not comment on his health in the clips, but they have been published with the following text:
“I strongly recommend anyone who cannot distinguish truth from lies on the Internet to take a walk in the fresh air and get their thoughts in order.”
According to Agentstvo, a Russian investigative journalism site, the location may well be Grozny. But where and when the clips were recorded is not clear.
The cliff hasn’t put an end to the speculation either. An influential Telegram channel, believed to have close ties to Russian security services, has stated that several cars with Chechen license plates have been seen outside a hospital in Moscow.
Said to be suffering from kidney failure
Journalist Alexei Venediktov, who is known to have good contacts in the Kremlin, claimed on Monday that Kadyrov suffers from “severe kidney failure” and needs regular dialysis.
Kadyrov is one of the most enthusiastic advocates of Russia’s war in Ukraine, where Chechen and Russian troops have fought side by side. He has ruled Chechnya with an iron fist since 2007 and described himself as Putin’s “foot soldier”.
SVT’s Ukraine correspondent Elin Jönsson, who has long covered Chechnya, says that Kadyrov functioned in several ways as a guarantor for Putin.
– No other regional Russian leader has been given as free a hand as Kadyrov to exercise his power. His own private and infamous army has been able to operate freely without regard to Russia’s legal system. In return, Kadyrov has shown Putin total loyalty, says Elin Jönsson.
Start the clip to hear what the Kremlin says about speculation surrounding Kadyrov’s health.