Chechen warlord and close Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov is “seriously ill,” according to Ukrainian military intelligence.
Unconfirmed reports claim he is in a coma and that nephrologists have been rushed from Moscow to Grozny, the regional capital, to treat him.
“Indeed, according to some reports, war criminal Kadyrov is in serious condition,” said Andrei Yusov, spokesman for GUR military intelligence.
“We can confirm that he has suffered a serious relapse and has been in critical condition for several days.”
Earlier this year, there were rumors of Kadyrov’s health problems, with observers noting rapid weight gain and a swollen face.
Chechen warlord and close Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov (pictured together) is “seriously ill”, according to Ukrainian military intelligence.
Unconfirmed reports claim he is in a coma and that nephrologists have been rushed from Moscow to Grozny, the regional capital, to treat him.
Kadyrov is a strong supporter of the war in Ukraine, calling on the Russian military to impose more sanctions.
Earlier this year, there were rumors of Kadyrov’s health problems, with observers noting rapid weight gain and a swollen face.
The most recent video posted four days ago shows him with close associates and a boy, a friend’s son.
The health of Kadyrov, 46, who sent tens of thousands of fighters into Putin’s war in Ukraine, is the subject of widespread speculation in Russia amid claims he is terminally ill.
He is believed to be suffering from serious kidney problems.
During a meeting with Putin earlier this year, he appeared out of breath, bloated and shuddering as he read awkwardly in a large font while reporting to Putin.
Reports emerged this week that Kadyrov accused his former doctor – who was also his health minister and deputy prime minister – of poisoning him, causing health problems.
Elkhan Suleymanov, 49, a professor, was dismissed from his official position and has not been seen for more than a year.
According to one version, he was “buried alive” on Kadyrov’s orders, but Chechen sources denied his death, saying he now lived in Azerbaijan.
Despite this, no confirmed sightings of Suleymanov have been recorded for a year.
The health of Kadyrov, 46, who sent tens of thousands of fighters into Putin’s war in Ukraine, is the subject of widespread speculation in Russia amid claims he is terminally ill.
Reports emerged this week that Kadyrov accused his former doctor (pictured) – who was also his health minister and deputy prime minister – of poisoning him, causing health problems.
Elkhan Suleymanov (photo with Kadyrov), 49 years old, professor, was fired from his official position and has not been seen for more than a year
Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the Chechen Republic, inherited leadership of the region from his murdered father.
In March, after a wave of speculation, Kadyrov insisted he was “healthy and full of energy” and was regularly examined by doctors.
The same month, Putin took the unusual step of summoning his eldest son Akhmat, 17, for a one-on-one meeting in the Kremlin.
Ramzan Kadyrov inherited the leadership of the region from his murdered father.
In early July, amid a new swirl of rumors about his health, Kadyrov said in a rambling message that he had recorded a film to prove he was not dead.
“We are still alive, one way or another,” he said. “We don’t want to live long anyway. We will live a short but decent life.
Tumso Abdurakhmanov, a Chechen opponent in exile, said at the time: “His kidneys are completely failing and dialysis is not helping him. »
However, since then he has been seen again, apparently in better health.
Kadyrov, the father of at least 14 children, is a colonel general in Putin’s national guard.
