Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov published a video in which he addresses the increasingly frequent speculations about his health condition, stating that illness and death are “the path of every man.” Although he does not directly deny the claims about deteriorating health in his message, he says that only God determines the length of life.
In the video, published on his official Telegram channel, Kadyrov does not speak directly into the camera. He is shown walking, visibly tired, while a voice in the background reads a message on his behalf.
“I increasingly hear rumors about my illness. They say I am dying and that I don’t have much time left. First, illness and death are the path of every man. No living person has avoided that path. Second, neither illness nor threat shortens life. Its length is determined only by the one who gave you breath,” the message says.
He also adds that if it is destined for him to live 50, 60, or 70 years, he will live exactly that long, “as it is determined,” and that no one will “take away even a single day.” Those spreading information about his illness are described as “gossipers without courage” who “hide abroad like mice.”
Rumors about poor health increasingly frequent
Kadyrov, born October 5th, 1976, is now 48 years old. He has been the head of Chechnya, which is formally a federal subject of the Russian Federation, since 2007. The Ukrainian parliament recognized Chechnya as a temporarily occupied territory under the name Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.
His video comes after Russian media reported earlier this month that Kadyrov’s health condition is deteriorating and that political leadership has already activated scenarios for a potential change of power in Chechnya. According to the outlet, Kadyrov allegedly suffers from pancreatic necrosis, a severe and life-threatening condition that they state leaves little room for recovery.
Rumors about his health have been present since last year, but the Kremlin has never commented on them. Until now, Kadyrov has mostly ignored or mocked them. This post, although it does not contain a direct admission of illness, represents the first time he publicly addresses concern about his health condition.
