ONE of Putin’s top henchmen nearly drowned on Thursday while on holiday in Turkey, reports have claimed.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov is said to have lost consciousness after entering the water for a swim.
It is understood to have happened at a five-star hotel in the Kaynar district of Bodrum.
Hotel staff and coastguard officers went to his aid when they noticed he was in distress.
The madcap warlord was pulled ashore and taken to hospital after first aid was administered.
He was rushed to a private clinic, where his condition was later said to be stable.
The warlord is reported to not be in a “life-threatening condition”.
However, Chechen authorities have not yet put out an official statement.
Kadyrov governs Chechnya, a region where he faces widespread accusations of severe human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and torture.
The 48-year-old has been a staunch ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, contributing tens of thousands of troops to back the fierce invasion of Ukraine.
But the warlord’s ailing health has been the subject of widespread speculation in recent months.
Kadyrov reportedly attempted to resign his position in May, but his request was refused by Putin.
The Sun previously reported that the Chechen leader was “preparing to flee Russia” – and had put his 17-year-old son in charge of the police.
Relations between Putin and Kadyrov are believed to have nosedived in recent months.
Reports have emerged that Kadyrov engaged in “unsanctioned discussions” with officials from various Middle Eastern nations regarding his assets and the future of his family.
This was despite such discussions not being approved by Moscow.
But Kadyrov is now believed to be suffering from severe kidney and pancreatic issues, Novaya Gazeta Europe reported.
The Chechen warlord wants his son to take over from him – but reportedly does not trust that Putin will honour this.
Investigative journalist Andrey Kalitin previously said: “The Kremlin has two or three candidates.
“Ramzan Kadyrov has one. His name is Adam, he is 17 years old, he has more than 15 awards.”
But even if Putin appointed Adam, a regency-style arrangement would be required until he is 30 under Russian laws.
Kadyrov himself inherited rule of Chechnya from his father Akhmad.
His father had originally been a Chechen separatist but later switched sides to support Russia.
