Russian leader Vladimir Putin could be gravely ill, according to a former intelligence officer who now works for the Pentagon.
The unnamed source is claiming that Putin is suffering from terminal bowel cancer, with his “puffy face” a sign he is enduring chemotherapy or on steroids.
He also believes the 69-year-old is in constant pain because of the solemn expression on his face.
The source says this diagnosis could have encouraged him to be more aggressive and attack Ukraine so he can leave a legacy knowing he is dying, The Daily Star reports.
He added that analysts have been studying Putin who think he has a terminal illness.
“In the past we have seen him smile, but in 2022 there are few pictures of him looking happy,” the source said.
“His look suggests he is in pain and our people suggest his angry look is most likely as a result of him being in agony.
“Our people are confident he is ill – he is concerned about Covid as he keeps his staff at a distance.”
February 24 marked the beginning of the invasion of UKraine and since then he has put Russia’s nuclear deterrent on high alert.
Yesterday, he issued a direct threat to the UK and said Russia “will not forget” the country’s support for Ukraine.
It comes as Boris Johnson issued a plea to world leaders to mount a renewed effort to ensure Putin “fails” in his invasion of Ukraine.
The Prime Minister has set out a six-point plan, including strengthening countries’ defences, to counteract Putin’s aggressive stance, admitting to the New York Times that “it is not future historians but the people of Ukraine who will be our judge”.
