A new claim suggests Vladimir Putin is in pain from cancer as he causes terror in the world due to his nuclear threats.
The Russian leader had a manic look on Red Square in Moscow as he celebrated breaking international law to annex four regions of Ukraine.
Earlier the faces of his ‘politburo’ - his most senior henchmen - and other leading political figures appear to betray their concern and fear rather than delight over Russia ’s direction as he announced the land grab of invaded territory.
In his speech in Red Square, a menacing Putin said: “We have become stronger because we are together.
"Truth is behind us, and in truth is strength, which means victory. Victory will be ours.”
Yet rumours persist that his health is weakening and he is looking for his place in posterity even as it declines.
A new report from Telegram channel General SVR that ahead of an operational meeting - not shown on TV - before the annexation Putin “complained of aching pain in the abdominal cavity, which could not be quickly stopped, and he held the meeting leaning forward, trying to maintain a natural posture”.
Such a posture has been seen in other sessions when he was visible recently, for example his meeting in Sochi with Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko this week.
The channel stated: “Putin’s oncology is progressing and, despite adequate treatment lately, the pain is not always completely relieved.
“It must be understood that the deplorable state of the president's physical and mental health affects the adoption of key decisions.
“Putin doesn't want to change history, he wants to end it.”
The channel has long claimed that Putin is suffering from serious illnesses including abdominal cancer, early Parkinson’s disease and a schizoaffective disorder.
There have been Western claims about Putin’s health, notably from ex-MI6 head Sir Richard Dearlove, who said the Russian leader faces being sent to a sanatorium, and will be gone by 2023, due to medical issues.
This week Political scientist Valery Solovey, a former professor at Moscow prestigious Institute of International Relations [MGIMO], and a self-appointed expert on the Russian president’s health, claimed his condition was “dramatically deteriorating”.
He also asserted that Putin’s secret medical conditions have impacted on his judgment on the war.
Putin’s active timetable did not mean he was healthy, he insisted.
“It is a very strange idea that a gravely ill person cannot work and travel,” he said.
“Specially in such comfort, accompanied by such a number of doctors, and being serviced [according to] top standards of….world medicine.
“Everything is provided for him in that sense.”
He claimed: “As for his health, it is deteriorating, yes, dramatically, dramatically.”
Solovey - who claims to have sources inside Putin's circle - said: “All of the decisions made by him…on February 24 [start Russian invasion of Ukraine] and September 21 [start of mobilisation] are a direct consequence of his physiological status.
“Direct in the sense of physiological health and in terms of mental [health].”
He suggests that but for the supposed illnesses Putin would not have gone to war in Ukraine.
"Modern therapy, targeted therapy for oncological diseases, is of such quality that you will be working until literally the last few hours," he said.
He was asked about CIA director William Burns saying that Putin - far from being ill - was “too healthy”.
Solovey replied this was a “perfect example of Anglo-Saxon sarcasm” adding: “The Americans know what’s happening to [Putin].
“They know the real situation, and they are actually concerned because of it…”
He added: “When they say they see Putin’s statements not as bluff, he is in a condition in which this really is not bluffing.”
Recently Putin said he was not bluffing about using nuclear weapons if he felt provoked over Ukraine by the West.
Russian independent media Proekt has suggested Putin is permanently surrounded by top Russian medics including cancer specialists when he goes on official visits.
They are said to closely monitor him in public and behind the scenes.
