I Was Very Upset by What I Saw and Thought I Would Never Be Discharged: Navalny Describes His Health Condition

For the first time, I was brought to a mirror after 24 days in the intensive care unit (of which 16 were in a coma). This was reported by Russian public-political figure Alexei Navalny on his Facebook page, where he shared details about his health condition in the days leading up to and following his discharge from the Berlin Charité clinic.

“I looked at myself in the mirror and saw a character from the movie 'The Lord of the Rings.' And believe me, it was not an elf,” Navalny recounted.

“I was very upset by what I saw and thought that I would never be discharged. However, my treatment continued, and in the last few days, the doctors even allowed me to go out onto the balcony. After 32 days in the hospital, the doctors decided that further recovery required not just inpatient treatment, but lifestyle adjustments—walking, spending time with family. And here I am, already fitting into pants three sizes bigger than before. The first thing I requested was to be taken somewhere with trees,” he added.

According to the opposition figure, he now needs to undergo physiotherapy every day and may spend some time in a rehabilitation center.

Navalny expressed gratitude to the doctors at the German clinic. He also mentioned that he plans to spend more time on social media, a recommendation made by his neurologist to help the politician recover more quickly “not only physically but also mentally.”