Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader, released two videos this Sunday, in which he can be seen smiling and recommending that everyone exercise. The images come after several speculations about his health.
There has been speculation for several months that the influential 46-year-old head of Chechnya may be ill. This Sunday, two videos appeared on his Telegram channel. In one, Kadyrov walks in an unknown location, wearing a raincoat. I’m smiling, but my face looks swollen. In the other, the Chechen leader speaks Russian and recommends exercising.
“I strongly advise anyone who cannot distinguish the truth from the lies on the Internet to take a walk, get some fresh air and get their thoughts in order.” were the words accompanying the videos.
It was not immediately known when the videos were recorded, but the images were published following unconfirmed reports on social media that the Chechen leader was in a coma.
Kadyrov has been one of the most enthusiastic supporters of Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine and his battalions have fought alongside regular Russian forces.
The former rebel warlord turned Kremlin ally has long called himself Vladimir Putin’s “foot soldier.”
Kadyrov, elected president of Chechnya in 2007, has ruled Muslim-majority Chechnya, with widespread evidence of extrajudicial killings and torture of his opponents.
Source: DN
