Chechen leader on health rumours: Illness and death are everyone's path

Ramzan Kadyrov, Head of the Chechen Republic, has posted a video in which he responded to rumours that he is ill, saying that "illness and death are everyone's path", but did not deny that his health is deteriorating. [The Chechen Republic, also known as Chechnya, is a federal subject of the Russian Federation; the Ukrainian parliament has recognised it as the temporarily Russian-occupied territory of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria – ed.]

Source: Kadyrov's video on Telegram

Details: In the video, Kadyrov is seen walking and looking ahead somewhat wearily. He does not say anything – his words are conveyed by a voiceover.

Quote from the video: "More and more often, I hear rumours that I am ill. They say I'm dying and I don't have much time left. Firstly, illness and death are the path of every person. No one who is alive has escaped this road. Secondly, neither illness nor threats shorten life. Its length is determined only by the one who gave you breath."

The voiceover goes on to say: "If I am destined to live 50, 60 or 70 years, I will live them as prescribed, and no one will take a single day away."

Those spreading rumours that Kadyrov is unwell are described in the video as "gossips without courage" who "hide abroad like mice".

Kadyrov was born on 5 October 1976 and is now 48.

Background:

• The Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta. Europe reported in early May that the health of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov was deteriorating markedly, prompting speculation about a potential change of power in Chechnya.
• In April 2024, Novaya Gazeta. Europe reported that Kadyrov was seriously ill with pancreatic necrosis, noting that there was no hope of his recovery.

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