Kadyrov was filmed on Tuesday in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, holding a government meeting on the region’s response to the pandemic and delivering 10 ambulances to local hospitals. Russian journalists noted what appeared to be a cannula on his right arm.
In comments on Instagram on Wednesday, Kadyrov did not confirm that he had contracted a coronavirus, but offered a vigorous defense of his right to fall ill.
“Even though I was sick, there are millions of people infected with the coronavirus, tens of thousands have died. Am i not a person Am I not allowed to get sick? Am I not allowed to be drip and increase my immunity? I am a perfectly healthy person, ”he said.
This remark referred to information about what appeared to be a tube sticking out of Kadyrov’s shirt during a local broadcast of the government meeting. The video, published by the public television channel in Chechnya, was later deleted.
The Novaya Gazeta newspaper also reported another video showing Kadyrov carrying what appeared to be a cannula on his right arm.
Russian state media citing anonymous sources reported last week that he was flown to an elite hospital in Moscow for treatment. The news was first reported by online media Baza, which previously announced that Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin had contracted the disease. A private jet allegedly used by Kadyrov was also followed between Grozny and Moscow.
Chechen officials have not confirmed whether Kadyrov fell ill, although he disappeared from television and social media for more than 10 days. He was last seen during a public presidency of a government meeting on May 15.
On Wednesday, Kadyrov wrote in a note posted on his Telegram channel: “Above all, everyone was interested in a question. I answer: I am in good health. He did not wear a mask when meeting with senior government officials in Chechnya. He appeared moderate but not particularly bad during his public appearances.
Kadyrov was installed at the head of Chechnya by Vladimir Putin in 2007 and ended up dominating politics in the region. He has undergone medical procedures several times in the past year, each time temporarily publicly passing power to a political ally. He did not sign a similar order this month.
