Fact check: Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Abdulaziz Shikhabidov, commander of the 76th Pskov Airborne Division.

Verdict: mostly true — Trust Score 65/100

The post accurately states that Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Abdulaziz Shikhabidov, commander of the 76th Guards Air Assault Division, on August 6, 2026. confirmed by 6 sources However, this conversation occurred despite widespread reports in May 2025 of Shikhabidov's death, with funeral ceremonies and memorial events held in his honor. Some sources have questioned the authenticity of the recent conversation, noting that Putin did not identify the commander by name and that another individual is reported to currently command the division.

Platform
tiktok
Source author
realnayagazeta — see all fact-checks of this account
Original post
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4pn12QS/
Verified on
August 9, 2026
Verification ID
GzXj_tMZ-FLGkof8EfipFg

Original content reviewed

Platform: TIKTOK Author: @realnayagazeta --- Caption/Description --- Путин поговорил с человеком, которого уже похоронили #Путин #Шихабидов #пропаганда #Кремль --- Audio Transcript (What was said) --- Putin talked to a man who has already been buried yes yes this is not a joke the cremul posted a recording of Putin talking with the commander of the 76th Pskov Airborne Division abdulaziz shihabidova comrade supreme commander I wish health Commander of the 76th Guards Airborne Assault Division Guard Colonel Shahabids and everything would be nothing if shihabidov hadn't been buried a year ago and his death was written by Russian media and Zet channels schools in Dagestan held a mourning event and opened memorable corners azet bloggers even Farewell to the Colonel at Troekurov cemetery but a year later the deceased colonel suddenly gets in touch with Putin and a cheerful voice reports mood cheerful confident Putin seems not surprised either thanked the personnel and wished Shihabidov success it was very important for me to hear this here from you Commander of the 76th Division she is legendary with us want to wish you success that is, the scheme is now like this Russian media bury people schools memorial zet bloggers see off and Putin then just calls him on the phone There is still no official explanation for this miracle. so there are few options either the colonel was resurrected either a medium appeared in the Kremlin either Russian propaganda is so used to lying that she does not remember herself Who and when buried --- On-Screen Text (OCR) --- РЕАЛЬНА ГАЗЕТА Владимир Путин по телефону заслушал доклад командира 76-й гвардейской десантно-штурмовой дивизии ВДВ, гвардии полковника Абдулазиза Шихабидова. ДА-ДА. ЭТО НЕ ШУТКА. КРЕМЛЬ ОПУБЛИКОВАЛ ЗАПИСЬ РАЗГОВОРА ПУТИНА --- РЕАЛЬНА ГАЗЕТА TACC Командир 76-й дивизии ВДВ Шихабидов доложил Путину, чт... 03:21 43.2 MB тасс Путин по телефону поговорил с командиром 76-й гвардейской десантно-штурмовой дивизии ВДВ гвардии пол

Claims analyzed (1)

  1. mostly true: Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Abdulaziz Shikhabidov, commander of the 76th Pskov Airborne Division.
    Official sources from the President of Russia confirm a telephone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Guards Colonel Abdulaziz Shikhabidov, Commander of the 76th Guards Air Assault Division, on August 6, 2026. However, multiple news outlets reported Shikhabidov's death in May 2025, with funeral services and memorial events taking place. Some reports also indicate that the Kremlin's publicity stunt backfired due to the previous death reports, and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted

Sources consulted (13)

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