Doctors are fighting for the life of veteran Russian nationalist politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky who is in grave condition but could still recover, the speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament Vyacheslav Volodin said Friday.

Volodin made the statement on social media after an erroneous media report suggested that Zhirinovsky, a 75-year old senior lawmaker whose anti-Western tirades have kept him in the public eye for more than three decades, had died.

"Let's wish him a speedy recovery," said Volodin.