The Russian director and head of the Russian Cinematographers Union, Nikita Mikhalkov, who had been hospitalized with flu, has been diagnosed with a new coronavirus infection. This update emerged around January 9 through the Moscow publication Kosomolets of Moscow.
According to the report, the 77-year-old filmmaker was admitted on January 5 to the 67th city hospital in Moscow. Initial assessments pointed to influenza, with a low oxygen saturation of 94 percent (below the expected 97 percent or higher) and a fever above 37 degrees Celsius. A subsequent test confirmed Covid-19.
Following the confirmation of the coronavirus diagnosis, Mikhalkov was transferred to City Clinical Hospital No. 52, a facility known for treating patients with COVID-19 in the Shchukino district.
RIA Novosti cited a hospital spokesperson stating that Mikhalkov remains in intensive care. Reports from Komsomolskaya Pravda noted that the director is receiving care from the same medical team that previously treated singer MakSim. In June 2021, MakSim was admitted to City Clinical Hospital No. 52 with advanced pneumonia after a stay in a private clinic, requiring weeks of intensive care, a medically induced coma, and ECMO support before gradually regaining the ability to breathe independently in August.
In 2021, Mikhalkov said he had been vaccinated against the coronavirus. Prior to vaccination, he had spoken on the Besogon program in 2020 about concerns surrounding vaccines and had even acknowledged some conspiracy theories about vaccines.
The Baza Telegram channel was the first to report Mikhalkov’s hospitalization on the previous Thursday, describing his condition as serious with bilateral pneumonia. The director’s press service later confirmed hospitalization in TASS, clarifying that doctors diagnosed flu. On January 6, Baza reported that Mikhalkov had been moved from the 67th hospital to another facility, noting that the patient had covid pneumonia despite official statements indicating flu only.
Mash reported that Mikhalkov was moved to the intensive care unit of a different clinic, with a diagnosis of bilateral polysegmental pneumonia and intoxication syndrome. Subsequent updates indicated that initial coronavirus tests were negative, and that the respiratory failure stemmed from pneumonia. He remained conscious and able to breathe on his own, with the illness described as severe but showing some positive developments over time.
Vladimir Legoyda, head of the synodal department handling church, society, and media relations, said that Moscow and All Rus prayed for Mikhalkov’s health. He noted that the Patriarch offered a blessing during a church service and conveyed a message of support to the director, who had been moments earlier in contact with him by phone.
Actress Yana Poplavskaya shared on social media that Mikhalkov remains in serious condition and in intensive care. She expressed support and hope for his recovery, underscoring the public’s wish that he defeats the illness.
Journalist Ksenia Sobchak suggested that Mikhalkov’s hospitalization could invite comparisons to historic losses in the film community, given the central role he has played in Russian cinema. She argued that the country’s cultural and cinematic institutions have long revolved around his influence. The remark drew mixed reactions from public figures, including publisher Mikhail Shakhnazarov, who condemned the statement as unkind while emphasizing that he did not wish harm to the director and simply desired his well-being.