VLAD THE TWITCHER
VLADIMIR Putin appeared fidgety and twitchy in his latest video appearance, amid fierce rumours about the Russian president's health.
In a meeting with one of his allies, the 69-year-old slouched over and tightly gripped the arm of his chair, following speculation that he is suffering from cancer.
4
4
Russian TV filmed Putin in a meeting in Moscow with Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon.
In the clip, he can be seen continually tapping his feet while gripping the arm of his chair with his right hand.
He kept his left hand in his lap as he moved his feet erratically during the meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) at the Kremlin.
In his talks, Putin called for closer ties between Russia and its Central Asian neighbours and discussed security in the region.
Read more on Russia
It follows claims that Putin's chaotic invasion of Ukraine could be due to his receiving chemotherapy.
An oncologist has alleged that Putin may be suffering from "chemo brain", a cancer-related cognitive impairment brought on by treatment.
Individuals suffering from chemo brain can make "crazy" decisions without thinking them through.
Although the Kremlin insists that Putin is perfectly healthy, many have claimed that Russia's leader has looked increasingly unwell in recent months.
Most read in US News
His face has seemed "puffy" or bloated, which an oncologist argued could be a result of chemotherapy drugs or steroids.
Speaking to the Mirror, the oncologist said about chemo brain: "For some it's simply knocking into things, being a bit clumsier and forgetting names, places and faces.
"But in others, it can seriously affect executive functions, like making plans for the future, multi-tasking and thinking about the consequences before doing something major."
They added that Putin's puffy face could point to water retention caused by steroids and chemotherapy drugs, and said he appeared to be struggling to balance and losing focus in recent appearances, both symptoms of chemo brain.
It follows claims that stricken Putin is due to have cancer surgery any day now, and is prepared to use body doubles for public appearances to hide the health crisis from the public.
The posts on the anti-Kremlin Telegram channel General SVR alleged that the bizarre use of lookalikes would keep up appearances that Putin remains in control of Russia.
It is claimed that canned footage has been made of Putin's meetings and signing of decrees in a "cover-up" to make it seem as if he is working.
"The president's movements, if necessary, will be imitated by one of the two lookalikes," the post read. "The possibility of a lookalike walking in public has been prepared. Everything is basically ready."
All you need to know about Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Everything you need to know about Russia's invasion of Ukraine...
- Why is Russia invading Ukraine?
- Will the UK go to war?
- How can I join the Ukraine foreign legion?
- What can I do to help Ukraine?
- Who is Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky?
- How much gas does the UK get from Russia?
- Is Russia a part of Nato?
- Does Russia have nuclear weapons?
- Why is Ukraine not in Nato?
- How big is the Russian army?
- What is Article 5 of the Nato treaty?
- What is the Minsk agreement?
- Which countries were in the Soviet Union?
- What does the Z mean on Russian tanks? Meaning behind symbols explained
- When will the Russia-Ukraine war end?
Meanwhile, an insider has alleged Putin is "very ill with blood cancer" in a secretly-recorded clip.
In the recording reportedly from March, an oligarch close to the Russian president also slams mad Vlad for the disastrous war in Ukraine.
"He [Putin] absolutely ruined Russia's economy, Ukraine's economy, and many other economies," he said.
"The problem is with his head... One crazy guy can turn the world upside down."
4
4
On Friday, Putin appeared in a virtual briefing with his security council, sparking concerns over his horribly bloated face.
So bizarre was the footage that there were even claims the footage had been manipulated to artificially attach his head to his body.
Last week, Ukraine's spy chief said a coup to remove "cancer-stricken" Putin from power was already underway and insisted he will be gone by the end of the year.
Major General Kyrylo Budanov, 36, said he believes mad Vlad's calamitous war will hit "breaking point" by the summer, triggering a palace coup.
"The breaking point will be in the second part of August," he told Sky News.
"Most of the active combat actions will have finished by the end of this year."
Read More on The US Sun
Read More on The Sun
He added: "It will eventually lead to the change of leadership of the Russian Federation.
"This process has already been launched and they are moving into that way."
Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine Fund
PICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears.
Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun's Ukraine Fund.
Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded.
Donate here to help The Sun's fund
Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles
£3 — text SUN£3
£5 — text SUN£5
£10 — text SUN£10
Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile
The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis.
In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world.
For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund