Russian state propagandist Simonyan allegedly diagnosed with cancer - Media
Margarita Simonyan (photo: Getty Images)
Russian propagandist Margarita Simonyan said she is preparing for a surgery. She was diagnosed with a "serious illness," and Russian media have already claimed that she has cancer.
RBC-Ukraine provides more details on this.
What Simonyan said
On September 7, the propagandist appeared on one of the Russian channels and spoke about having health problems. She mentioned her husband, pro-Putin filmmaker Tigran Keosayan, who has been in a coma for nine months. And, as it turned out, now she also needs treatment.
"As we say in Russia: when trouble comes, open the gates. Well, the gates in our house are no longer just unlocked — they’ve, I think, been blown away by this wind of fate. During the time we haven’t seen each other… I’ve been diagnosed with a terrible and serious illness. I have surgery tomorrow, right here, under this medal," Simonyan said, placing her hand over her chest.
A screenshot
She called her confession a "coming out" and mentioned that Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill had called her a "warrior."
Soon after, media in the aggressor country claimed that the "terrible illness" Simonyan referred to was cancer.
"Russia Today head Margarita Simonyan may step down due to cancer… A source in the media market, close to Simonyan, told The Moscow Times that she was diagnosed with cancer and is facing very serious health problems. According to the source, the question of her continuing to work at Russia Today is being considered, and the option of her dismissal is also under review," the media reported.
Who Margarita Simonyan is
Margarita Simonyan is one of the key figures in Russian propaganda. She was born on April 6, 1980, in Russia's Krasnodar. She began her journalism career in regional television, and in 2005, at the age of 25, she was appointed editor-in-chief of Russia Today (RT). Under her leadership, RT became the main international mouthpiece of Putin’s propaganda, spreading the Kremlin’s version of events.
Simonyan is known for her aggressive rhetoric against Ukraine and the West, justifying the war, the occupation of Crimea, and supporting Vladimir Putin’s policies. She regularly appears on Russian television channels, voicing Kremlin narratives and discrediting the opposition. The United States has imposed personal sanctions against her.
Since 2012, Margarita Simonyan has been married to Russian director and TV host Tigran Keosayan. They have three children. Keosayan is also known as an active propagandist and supporter of the Putin regime. He has directed several films, appeared on television, hosted shows, and regularly made harsh anti-Ukrainian statements.
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