Putin’s health has been subject to speculation in the past.
According to The Sun, the claim was initially reported on a Russian media outlet called General SVR. It began discussing concerns over Putin’s health around 18 months ago.
The Russian leader is reportedly battling both abdominal cancer and Parkinson’s disease, but there has been no official confirmation of either.
SVR quotes an anonymous Kremlin military figure who says that ““doctors insist that he needs an operation, but the date has not yet been determined”.
The source also claimed Putin would temporarily transfer his power to ex-spy chief Nikolai Patrushev while he undergoes the operation. Patrushev was a key voice in the decision to invade Ukraine.
The source offered no timeline, but it would be unlikely that Putin would undergo any major operations before May 9th. The day is declared Red Victory Day in commemoration of the defeat of Hitler and Putin typically leads a grandiose celebration.
