Andropov Critical; May Be Near Death

WASHINGTON--Soviet leader Yuri Andropov underwent a kidney transplant within the last 24 hours and is serlously ill, CBS News reported last night.

The Washington Post, meanwhile, reported that Soviet television unexpectedly changed its scheduled programming to classical last night followed by similar changes in state radio broadcasts.

The reported programming changes appear to indicate the country is being placed on an emergency footing. The Post reported in a story in today's editions.

In Washington, State Department analysts who spoke on condition they remain anonymous told The Associated Press that they have heard the reports of classical music played on Moscow radio.