U.S. intelligence chiefs have claimed that Vladimir Putin has undergone treatment for cancer, and insiders fear the Russian president is nearing the end.
Senior officials say Kremlin insiders sense the “end is near” for the 69-year-old. It is claimed that those in the Russian power halls are worried about the power vacuum that his death will leave.
There have been long-standing rumors of poor health around Putin, with allegations that he suffers from cancer and Parkinson’s disease in various ways. The spy chiefs said recent reports show that the Russian leader is holding on to power in poor health, reports The Mirror.
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The three spy chiefs, who are from the director of the National Intelligence, US Air Force and Defense Intelligence Agency, claim that the latest intelligence report on Putin’s health shows that there is concern about Putin’s paranoia to stay in power. Intelligence officials said Putin’s deteriorating health would make the prospects for nuclear war less likely – but his death would still “create chaos”.
A senior intelligence official told Newsweek: “Putin’s grip is strong, but no longer absolute. Jockeying inside the Kremlin has never been more intense under his rule, everyone senses the end is near.” While a senior air force leader added: “Is Putin ill? Absolutely. But we should not wait for his death to carry out proactive actions on our part. A power vacuum after Putin can be very dangerous for the world.”
(Image: AP / PA)
The Kremlin has not commented on the alleged cancer operation, but insists Putin is in good health. Last weekend, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed rumors of Putin’s poor health in an interview on French television.
Some reports claim that Putin also has Parkinson’s or dementia at an early stage. He has been looking more and more fragile and bloated in the face in recent weeks.
Pictures of him sitting with a blanket over his knees during the Victory Day parade earlier this month were far from the invincible tough man persona he likes to portray. Meanwhile, Putin’s failure to attend key engagements and his disappearance during a state television broadcast have further added fuel to the fire.
MI6 sources have claimed that Putin may already be dead amid speculation about the Russian leader’s health. There are reports that a body double may have been used for recent appearances, as Kremlin comrades would be eager to cover up his death in an attempt to hold on to power.
There have been rumors that the warrior’s health has deteriorated in recent months, with his face looking bloated and the observer questioning whether the 69-year-old might have blood cancer. Senior MI6 chiefs say the Russian president has been seriously ill recently, but that his death is likely to be covered.
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