Putin falls ill with "severe blood cancer": Ex-CIA analyst fuels rumors of illness
Created: 05/14/2022, 12:31 p.m
By: Teresa Toth
Some observers claim they can see that Russian President Putin is unhealthy.
© Mikhail Metzel/dpa
Rumor has it that Russian ruler Putin is suffering from severe cancer.
An ex-CIA analyst explains what is allegedly behind the claims.
Moscow – At least since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, rumors about Vladimir Putin's health have been increasing.
International observers claim, for example, that Putin's movements reveal that he suffers from Parkinson's disease.
Others are certain: the Russian President is suffering from terminal cancer.
This claim was fueled after a Russian oligarch's conversation was intercepted and recorded.
He is said to have said that Putin was “very ill” and “suffered from severe blood cancer.” And further: “We all hope that Putin will die of cancer.” It is unclear who the oligarch is – him before To protect the Russian state, his name was not published.
What is known, however, is that he does not support the president's war.
Even the directors of the Russian domestic secret service FSB, who previously stressed that they did not believe the rumors about Putin's illness, are certain after the memo that the president is seriously ill.
Is Vladimir Putin sick?
Rumors could be used as leverage
Speculations about a possible cancer surgery on May 10th, i.e. one day after the Russian national celebration of “Victory Day” in the Second World War, have recently been raised.
An interim president was appointed to represent Putin at the time.
But how much truth is there in the numerous rumors of illness?
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin | |
Government office | President of the Russian Federation |
Date of birth | October 07, 1952 |
Place of birth | Leningrad |
According to John Sipher, a former CIA analyst specializing in Russia, there is "no way" to confirm or deny the claims outside the Kremlin.
However, Sipher puts forward two theories that can explain why these exist at all: either the Kremlin itself is responsible for the rumors in order to distract and confuse the escalating Ukraine war, or Russian oligarchs are using the rumors as leverage.
“For a long time, Putin was something like the mafia boss in the Kremlin, the judge between those fighting for money or influence.
These clans are now positioning themselves to survive no matter how this crisis ends.
Publicizing Putin's health crisis or inventing one can be a way to gain leverage,” the ex-CIA analyst cautions.
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