Claim
As per information available until 5:15 PM today, Russian President Putin is not attending despite being invited; instead, former president and Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev is going to Iran as Putin's special envoy, even though Russia is Iran's closest ally.
“राष्ट्रपति पुतिन इस राष्ट्रीय शोक में अभी यानी आज के सवा5 बजे तक की मिली जानकारी के मुताबिक नहीं जा रहे हैं। उनकी जगह... दिमत्री मेद्वदेव राष्ट्रपति पुतिन के विशेष दूत बनकर इस कार्यक्रम में शामिल होने के लिए ईरान जा रहे हैं।”▶ Watch source segment
Rationale
The national-mourning event was the state funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (killed in a U.S.-Israeli strike). Multiple primary and wire sources — including the Kremlin's own confirmation reported by The Moscow Times and TASS — verify that President Putin did not attend and instead sent Dmitry Medvedev (former president and Security Council Deputy Chairman) as his special envoy, consistent with Russia being a close Iranian ally. The anchor's core factual assertions match the record; the '5:15 PM information' framing is a time-stamp caveat that does not alter the accuracy.
Evidence
- https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/07/02/medvedev-to-lead-russian-delegation-at-iranian-supreme-leaders-funeral-a93149 The Moscow Times: Kremlin confirmed Dmitry Medvedev, Security Council Deputy Chairman, will lead the Russian delegation to Khamenei's funeral as Putin's special envoy — Putin himself not attending. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://eu.news-pravda.com/russia/2026/07/01/213309.html Reports (dated July 1, before the broadcast) that Medvedev will take part in the martyred leader's state funeral in Iran as Putin's special envoy. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.iranintl.com/en/202607030243 Iran International: Medvedev attended the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader in Tehran, arriving as Putin's envoy and offering condolences on behalf of Russia. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/3/irans-khamenei-funeral-which-world-leaders-are-attending Al Jazeera roundup of attending leaders confirms Russia was represented by Medvedev, not Putin, at Khamenei's state funeral. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://tass.com/politics/2155129 Russian state agency TASS confirms Medvedev attended the funeral ceremony for Ali Khamenei in Iran. ✓ reachable · archived