Duma Chairman Volodin denies reports on Zhirinovsky's death

MOSCOW. March 25 (Interfax) - Russian Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky is in serious condition, but he is alive, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said.

"I'd like to calm down everyone who is worried about Vladimir Volfovich Zhirinovsky's health. He is alive. His condition is serious indeed," Volodin wrote on his Telegram channel on Friday.

Zhirinovsky had a CT scan on Friday, Volodin said. "We are concerned about him, and doctors are fighting for him. He is a tough guy himself. Let's wish him the soonest recovery," Volodin said.

A Telegram channel earlier reported that Zhirinovsky was dead.

The Russian Health Ministry said on February 9 that Zhirinovsky was at the hospital with coronavirus. Media have reported earlier that his condition significantly worsened. The LDPR has said regularly that Zhirinovsky's condition is improving. Volodin said on February 22 that Zhirinovsky was recovering but doctors advised him against attending parliamentary sessions for the time being.