Russia's Vladimir Zhirinovsky 'not dead' as doctors fight for his life

Media reports had said the anti-western veteran politician had died

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, awards a medal to Vladimir Zhirinovsky at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on September 22, 2016. Reuters / Ivan Sekretarev

Doctors are fighting for the life of veteran Russian nationalist politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky who is in a grave condition but could still recover, the speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, said on Friday.

Mr Volodin made the statement on Telegram after an erroneous media report suggested Mr Zhirinovsky, a 75-year old senior lawmaker whose anti-western tirades have kept him in the public eye for more than three decades, had died.

“I want to reassure everyone who is worried about the health of Vladimir Volfovich Zhirinovsky. He is alive. His condition is really serious,” Mr Volodin said on his Telegram channel.

Mr Zhirinovsky, who turned 75 last year, was hospitalised on February 2, after he contracted Covid-19.

“We are worried about him, the doctors are fighting for him. He is a great fellow. Let's wish him a speedy recovery," Mr Volodin said.

Russian senator Alexander Pronyushkin earlier confirmed the death of Mr Zhirinovsky, the leader of the Liberal and Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) on Telegram, but later deleted it.

The Ministry of Health also confirmed Mr Zhirinovsky is in a stable condition.

"Doctors continue to provide all possible medical assistance in this situation," the press department said.

The faction of the Liberal Democratic Party in the Duma also refuted its leader’s death reports.