Rumours about Vladimir Putin's ill health are false and the despot is in tip-top condition, according to the CIA's spymaster.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, reports have claimed that Putin, 69, is suffering from either thyroid cancer or Parkinson's disease.
At state appearances, the tyrant has appeared bloated and puffy-faced - a common side effect of steroid treatment, which is used to treat debilitating tumours.
While meeting other world leaders, rumours have swirled about him being afflicted with a neurological condition after his hands spasmed and legs were seen shaking uncontrollably.
But CIA Director William Burns claims there is no evidence to support the theories, and believes the despot actually appears "too healthy", the BBC reports.
Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, Mr Burns said: ""There are lots of rumours about President Putin's health and as far as we can tell he's entirely too healthy."
The joke earned laughter from the crowd before Mr Burns added his comments were not a formal agency judgment.
Mr Burns, who has observed the president for more than 20 years and formerly served as US ambassador to Moscow, went on to describe the warmonger's state of mind.
Putin is "a big believer in control, intimidation and getting even" - traits he has galvanised during the past 10 years as his inner circle has contracted.
Mr Burns added: "He is convinced that his destiny as Russia 's leader is to restore Russia as a great power. He believes the key to doing that is to recreate a sphere of influence in Russia's neighbourhood and he cannot do that without controlling Ukraine."
In November, Mr Burns visited the Kremlin to warn the despot he would face stiff repercussions if he chose to go through with the Ukrainian invasion.
He said the despot had "real illusions" about the resistance Russian troops would face from Ukrainian forces.
He added: "I've heard him [Putin] say this privately over the years that Ukraine is not a real country.
"Well, real countries fight back. And that's what the Ukrainians have done."
On Tuesday, Putin looked "clumsy" on his feet as he hobbled down the stairs of his jet when he arrived in Iran to meet fellow brute Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Putin appears unsteady and his appearance could further rumours about his ill health.
"The man who arrives behind him seems to have no trouble using the steps facing front but Putin turns sideways and takes the last one clumsily," body language expert Judi James told The Mirror.
"This could be down to height or even age but he appears to be making heavy duty of it", she added.
