According to a source familiar with the situation, REN TV reported that Roman Kostomarov’s condition has begun to show improvement and is currently considered stable. The same outlet noted that the skater underwent several blood-cleansing procedures. Izvestia corroborated the information, indicating that plasmapheresis was performed as part of the treatment in the context of sepsis.
Updates about the athlete’s status were also provided by TASS, whose informant stated that Kostomarov was gradually emerging from a profound medical sedation.
The report quoted a source: “After the episodes affecting cerebral vessels, Roman is slowly regaining awareness and coming out of the sedative state. His condition is stable, with no recent deterioration. Yet it is premature to draw conclusions; time is needed.”
Three days earlier, on February 23, Izvestia, citing its own source, wrote that doctors remained cautious about reducing the drug-induced sleep.
“Edema has extended to the head. Ophthalmologists are routinely examining him during periods of edema, and it is still too early to talk about outcomes. Medical staff assess his chances at 50/50: if the immune system cannot mount a sufficient response, medications may not help. When his blood was cleansed, expectations were that the immune system would respond positively; however, paralysis and other side effects required additional drugs, which could not have a uniformly favorable impact on the immune response”, a source noted.
Sport-Express confirmed the trend of stabilization and gradual improvement, reporting that Kostomarov had remained steady in recent days and that his performance had begun to improve by the evening of February 25. The publication added that a cautious pace of recovery is preferable, since rapid improvement can sometimes precede a setback. Medical teams continue to monitor tests closely and avoid sudden interventions, the paper stated, citing its source.
Olympic medalist and Russian speed skater Ivan Skobrev did not disclose details about Kostomarov’s condition on February 25, stating that the public should remain hopeful for a full recovery. “I tell all reporters that there is value in waiting until Roman has recovered. We wait and hope,” Skobrev was quoted by Sport-Express.
In the same period, Alexei Tikhonov, a double skating world champion and a participant in the Ice Age tour show organized by Ilya Averbukh, spoke about the shared concern within the skating community. He described the mood as tense, saying that everyone is nervous and praying for a positive outcome for Kostomarov. He acknowledged that social interactions continue and that Kostomarov’s presence would be a source of support for his colleagues, while noting the emotional weight carried by the group. “We are all in this together,” Tikhonov said, as reported by Sport-Express.
Kostomarov’s situation has drawn responses from other prominent skaters who have commented on the flood of news surrounding the case. Among them, a well-known figure spoke about the barrage of reports with caution. She emphasized the importance of relying on verified information and highlighted the need to allow medical professionals to share updates at their own pace. Her stance underscored the desire to avoid unfounded conclusions and to respect the patient’s privacy while the health team continues to work toward recovery.
Online coverage has also recounted Kostomarov’s hospitalization, noting that he was admitted on January 10 and remained in hospital for more than a month. The initial diagnosis pointed to pneumonia, but subsequent complications led to necessary surgical interventions, including the amputation of the skater’s feet and some toes, as reported by various media outlets.