Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov is said to be in critical condition due to ongoing health problems, according to Ukrainian intelligence.
Andriy Yusov, a representative of Ukrainian defense intelligence, told Belarusian news site Nexta that Kadyrov’s current health condition had been confirmed by both “medical and political circles.” The Chechen leader has reportedly been facing health problems due to ongoing kidney problems and recently blamed his personal doctor for his deterioration.
“It’s not about injuries. Other details require further clarification,” Yusov told the media outlet, according to a statement. report by Nexta published on X, formerly Twitter. “He’s been sick for a long time and we’re talking about systemic health issues.”
MIKHAIL METZEL/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty
Yusov’s comments were also confirmed by the official Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. Obozrevatel, a Ukrainian online media outlet, reported earlier this week that Kadyrov had fallen into a coma and was flown to Moscow for treatment.
A close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kadyrov has been nicknamed “Putin’s attack dog” and supported Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, including deploying his own troops to fight along the front lines.
The Chechen leader was also one of the first public figures to condemn the Wagner Group’s brief rebellion against Moscow in June, led by the now deceased Yevgeny Prigozhin.
The US State Department sanctioned Kadyrov last month for his alleged role in the expulsion of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territory, an ongoing act by the Kremlin. In a video message earlier this month, Kadyrov demanded that US sanctions, which also targeted his mother, Aymani Kadyrova, be lifted, and called Washington’s decision a “deliberate and cynical disregard for all ethical standards.”
“I have already ceased to be surprised by the illogical sanctions decisions of the United States and the West,” Kadyrov said in his video. “And suddenly my dear mother was included on the list. The whole world knows that she is only dedicated to charitable activities.”
Kadyrov was also charged earlier this week with the murder of his personal doctor and former Chechen deputy prime minister, Elkhan Suleymanov, which the Chechen leader allegedly blamed for his sudden deterioration in health. According to the Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, which claims to have inside information from Russian security forces, Kadyrov accused Suleymanov of poisoning him and buried the doctor alive.
News week had previously indicated that there was no hard evidence to support the claims of Suleymanov’s death, although his whereabouts have been unknown since October 2022, when Kadyrov dismissed him as deputy prime minister .
News week contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry by email for comment on Friday evening.
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