Russian Liberal Democratic Party denies its leader Zhirinovsky's death

MOSCOW. March 25 (Interfax) - The Russian Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) parliamentary faction has denied rumors on the death of the party's leader, Vladimir Zhirinovsky.

"We categorically dismiss the lies about Vladimir Zhirinovsky's death. This is a dirty provocation by yellow press, which has been doing nothing but lying about the LDPR leader for 30 years," the faction said in a statement on Friday.

"Literally an hour ago, doctors sent Vladimir Volfovich [Zhirinovsky] to a planned procedure. His condition is stable. There have been no negative changes in his health," it said.

Some reports earlier on Friday suggested that Zhirinovsky died.

The Russian Health Ministry said on February 9 that Zhirinovsky was at the hospital with coronavirus. Media have reported earlier that his condition worsened. The LDPR has said regularly that Zhirinovsky's condition is improving.