Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at Moscow's Red Square on the 9th (local time) for the 77th Victory Day celebration (Russia's Victory Day). [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Health rumors surrounding Russian President Vladimir Putin have resurfaced.
On the 14th (local time), according to the New York Post (NYP), the American magazine New Lines obtained and reported a recording that claimed President Putin is suffering from blood cancer and underwent related surgery just before the invasion of Ukraine.
This is a recording of a conversation between a Kremlin official and a U.S. venture investor in mid-March.
In the call, the official strongly criticized President Putin, saying he has completely ruined the global economy. He said, "One madman has turned the world upside down," and "The problem is all in President Putin's head." He also added, "We all hope that President Putin dies from cancer or a coup to escape further misfortune."
New Lines, having verified the identity of the official, decided not to disclose it citing possible retaliation, NYP reported.
Previously, rumors about President Putin's health issues have been consistently raised. The day before, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, also claimed in an interview with Sky News that President Putin is in serious condition due to cancer.
Director Budanov predicted that a coup to remove Putin is already underway, the war will reach a turning point by mid-August, and will end by the end of the year. He said Ukraine will reclaim Donbas and the Crimean Peninsula, which will lead to a change in leadership of the Russian Federation.
Reports have also emerged that due to President Putin's cancer surgery, his closest aides will temporarily take over command of the Ukraine war.
According to the Daily Mail on the 1st, the Russian independent media GeneralSVR reported that President Putin was recently diagnosed with cancer during an examination and that Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council and one of Putin's closest aides, will temporarily assume authority during the surgery.
About 18 months ago, GeneralSVR also reported that President Putin was suffering from abdominal cancer and Parkinson's disease.
Additionally, multiple foreign media outlets have reported that President Putin may have undergone at least two surgeries for thyroid problems. Medical experts have also diagnosed that his swollen face could be due to steroids used in cancer treatment.
However, the Kremlin denies these claims.
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