On Monday, January 12, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov held his first meeting of 2026 with representatives of all government agencies to discuss plans for the coming period. During the meeting, he sarcastically commented on rumors circulating online about his hospitalization and critical health condition. He published a video of the incident on his Telegram channel.

"They say doctors have been brought in from Moscow for me, I'm in the hospital, and my kidneys are failing. Despite my activity and movements being visible on TV and social media, it's surprising that some people believe this, saying, 'No, it's not him, he's dying.' The initiators are paid to spread this disinformation," Kadyrov stated at the meeting.

Earlier that day, leading Ukrainian media outlets, citing the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (GUR), reported that Ramzan Kadyrov had suffered kidney failure and was hospitalized. His family was said to have accompanied him to the medical facility where he was undergoing dialysis. Earlier, Novaya Gazeta Evropa reported the Chechen leader's deteriorating health and hospitalization, citing sources familiar with the matter. Allegedly, Ramzan Kadyrov "planned to attend the State Council meeting in person and even flew to Moscow on December 24. However, on the night of December 24-25, Kadyrov's health deteriorated sharply and he was taken by ambulance to the Central Clinical Hospital of the Presidential Property Management Department of the Russian Federation."

However, on December 26, as we previously reported, Kadyrov attended and personally presented awards to athletes in Grozny, and on New Year's Eve and January 1, he strolled through the Chechen capital. Three days ago, he also attended Friday prayers at the mosque on the grounds of his Grozny residence.