He is one of our foremost experts on Russia. During the most intense period in 2022 – when Martin Kragh’s job revolved around the war in Ukraine – his life was turned upside down. He got pancreatic cancer. – It’s one day at a time that counts, he says. Just a month after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russia expert Martin Kragh launched the book “The Fallen Empire: Russia and the West under Vladimir Putin”. The book was a success as the best-selling trade book of the year. But in November, Kragh’s life took a big turn. The doctors found a cancerous tumor in the pancreas. In After five, he talks about the news: – For me, it was about absorbing the information and preparing myself for the operation. The operation lasted eight hours and had a large team of doctors and other specialists on site. It was a big effort to literally save my life, says Martin Kragh to Efter fem. “One day at a time that counts” The operation went well and the cancerous tumor was removed. Today, Kragh is on sick leave and is undergoing chemotherapy to ensure that there are no cancer cells left in the body. But the job is hard to let go. Martin Kragh explains that his profession is also his biggest hobby. The healthier he gets, the more time is devoted to work. – It’s one day at a time, he says and continues: – I read as much as I can and try to write as much as I can. But it is hard. It is easier to try to read and listen at the moment, says Kragh. Hear Martin Kragh talk about his ongoing chemotherapy in the player above.
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