The Kherson regional head, Vladimir Saldo, was taken to hospital following a medical examination the previous day. Reports from Friday indicated that Saldo entered a medically induced coma as a precautionary measure for his recovery. The regional government confirmed that he was in a medically induced coma while in transit and receiving care.
According to outlets close to Kherson’s administration, the situation was described as moderate. A Telegram channel named The Main Thing in Kherson explained that Saldo had been moved to Moscow under the supervision of top doctors, with the transport itself cited as the reason for the temporary coma. It was noted that his condition worsened but was not described as critical.
One account stated that he gained consciousness in the morning, but doctors opted for a gentle medically induced coma to aid healing after the flight. The narrative emphasized that the transport during air travel contributed to the overall condition, and medical oversight was maintained throughout the process.
There were claims from the Baza Telegram channel that blood and urine samples were sent to toxicology for analysis, with doctors reportedly considering possible poisoning as a cause for Saldo’s health crisis.
According to another Telegram update, Saldo was moved from Kherson to a Crimean hospital for initial assessment. Early symptoms suggested a heart event, though subsequent tests did not confirm a heart attack. A CT scan did not corroborate a stroke, and by Friday his condition deteriorated enough to require ventilation and a medically induced coma. Following consultations with specialists in Moscow and Crimea, a decision was made to transfer him to Moscow for advanced care.
Regional authorities later confirmed that Saldo would be transferred to a Moscow medical facility, specifying that he would receive care at the Sklifosovsky Research Institute, where he would be evaluated by qualified physicians.
information warfare
Kirill Stremousov, deputy head of the Kherson regional military-civil administration, described reports of Saldo’s coma as part of Ukraine’s information campaign against Russia. He attributed Saldo’s illness to the physical and mental exertion he had endured over several months, noting lengthy work hours and limited rest, without providing a definitive medical diagnosis.
Stremousov added that support for Kherson and its residents remained essential, framing the situation as a moment of truth for those who care about the region and those who do not.
Later, in a separate conversation, Stremousov clarified that Saldo remained conscious. The administration’s duties were being carried out by Sergei Eliseev, while Stremousov stated that the administration continued to function with a stable team and expert deputies.
How Saldo was hospitalized
On August 4, Saldo reported that the regional health minister approached him after a routine meeting, pressing for an urgent medical examination. He recalled initially declining, but after the minister arranged for doctors to visit his office, he followed their recommendation for immediate hospitalization. In a Telegram post, Saldo described deterioration linked to a prior COVID-19 infection and asserted that he remained active in his official duties, with doctors noting positive signs of recovery.
Saldo had served as mayor of Kherson from 2002 to 2012 and has been a deputy in the Kherson City Council since November 2015. The Kherson region’s administration aligned with the Russian Federation’s governance framework, with Saldo taking a leading role after agreeing to cooperate. A July incident involved a thwarted attempt on his life when an improvised explosive device was found and neutralized along his convoy route, an event residents helped uncover in time.