A sharp deterioration in the health of Chechnya’s leader Ramzan Kadyrov has led to repeated postponements of his year-end live call-in show.
The outlet Verstka noted that for several weeks local media have published similar announcements about “large-scale preparations” for the call-in. But unlike releases from other governors, they still don’t include a date or time, the outlet reported.
Information about the 49-year-old Kadyrov’s condition is classified, but Verstka’s sources in his inner circle confirm he is having health issues.
“Our padishah has taken to his bed. I hope he doesn’t get up. The jackals are scurrying around, but they won’t cancel anything for now; they’re just postponing [the call-in],” one anonymous source said, noting that Kadyrov currently has a “flare-up.”
Ibragim Yangulbaev, head of the Chechen opposition movement “Aadat,” citing his informants, said: “He’s on IV drips now. He’s been feeling sharply worse lately. But I can say they’ll still do the call-in unless something [unforeseen] happens. The doctors are preparing him; it was postponed only because of his condition.”
Yangulbaev said he doesn’t know exactly what Kadyrov is suffering from because that information is classified. Earlier media reports said that in 2019 he was diagnosed with pancreatic necrosis, and there were also reports of kidney problems.
“Initially he had stomach problems, and his personal physician, Elkhan Suleymanov, was one of the best oncologists,” the opposition figure added.
Kadyrov was last seen in public in November during a visit to the republic by American UFC fighter Jon Jones. In a video he posted on social media, Kadyrov’s face appears puffy, and he speaks to his guest more slowly and quietly than usual.
Back in March 2023, the German outlet Bild reported that because of Kadyrov’s kidney problems, a physician from the United Arab Emirates, Yasim Ibrahim El-Shahat, head of the nephrology department at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi, was called in.
According to the AirNav Radar service, from late November to early December Kadyrov’s personal business jet made several trips to and within the UAE. The first, on November 27, went from Grozny to Abu Dhabi. The next day the plane flew to Dubai and then back to Grozny. On November 29, the aircraft again left the Chechen capital for Abu Dhabi and didn’t return until December 4.
In August this year, the Chechen leader nearly drowned in Turkey. In September, Kadyrov tried to dispel rumors about his health by saying he does 50 push-ups in a row.
