Russian President Vladimir Putin Pays Final Respects to Supreme Court Chief Justice and Former Classmate Irina Podnosova
[Moscow, July 24, 2025] — Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a funeral ceremony at a Moscow hospital on Thursday to pay his final respects to Irina Podnosova, the Chief Justice of Russia’s Supreme Court and his former classmate. She passed away at the age of 71.
The ceremony took place at the Central Clinical Hospital of the Russian Presidential Administration, where Podnosova’s open casket was displayed. Putin was seen sitting solemnly beside her family members, appearing visibly somber and contemplative. An honor guard stood by the casket as mourners were allowed to pay their last respects.
Putin laid a bouquet of red flowers at her feet, crossed himself in a traditional gesture of blessing, and bowed his head before the casket. He then spoke with members of Podnosova’s family.
Both 72-year-old Putin and Podnosova studied law together in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) during the 1970s. It was during this time that Putin began his career in the KGB security agency. After becoming president, many of his close classmates and friends from that period, including Podnosova, rose to prominent positions in politics and the judiciary.
Podnosova had served as Chairperson of the Russian Supreme Court for just over a year. According to Russian media reports, she died after battling cancer.
