BLOODY LEGACY
CANCER-stricken Vladimir Putin is visibly in crippling pain, it's been claimed - as the despot rushes to cement his bloody place in history before being overcome by ill health.
The Russian leader had a manic look in Moscow's Red Square as he celebrated breaking international law to annex four regions of Ukraine.
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In his speech, a menacing Putin said: "We have become stronger because we are together.
"Truth is behind us, and in truth is strength, which means victory. Victory will be ours."
Yet rumours persist that his health is weakening and he is looking for his place in posterity even as it declines.
A new but unsubstantiated report from Telegram channel General SVR claimed that ahead of important war rooms meeting Putin "complained of aching pain in the abdominal cavity, which could not be quickly stopped, and he held the meeting leaning forward, trying to maintain a natural posture".
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The Russian strongman has previously been seen in pain as recently as his meeting with Sochi with Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko this week.
The channel stated: "Putin’s oncology is progressing and, despite adequate treatment lately, the pain is not always completely relieved.
"It must be understood that the deplorable state of the president's physical and mental health affects the adoption of key decisions.
"Putin doesn't want to change history, he wants to end it."
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The channel has long claimed that Putin is suffering from serious illnesses including abdominal cancer, early Parkinson’s disease and a schizoaffective disorder.
There have been Western claims about Putin’s health, notably from ex-MI6 head Sir Richard Dearlove, who said the Russian leader faces being sent to a sanatorium, and will be gone by 2023, due to medical issues.
This week political scientist Valery Solovey claimed Putin's condition was “dramatically deteriorating”.
He also asserted that Putin’s secret medical conditions have impacted on his judgment on the war.
The self-appointed health expert - who claims to have sources inside Putin's circle - said: "All of the decisions made by him…on February 24 [start Russian invasion of Ukraine] and September 21 [start of mobilisation] are a direct consequence of his physiological status.
“Direct in the sense of physiological health and in terms of mental [health].”
Russian independent media Proekt suggested Putin is permanently surrounded by top Russian medics including cancer specialists when he goes on official visits.
They are said to closely monitor him in public and behind the scenes.
In June, a Ukrainian officials claimed the evil tyrant was suffering from "grave" illnesses and could die within two years.
Speaking to USA Today, Ukraine's intelligence chief, Major General Kyrylo O. Budanov said Putin "doesn't have a long life ahead of him".
In another interview with Sky News, the General insisted Putin was in "very bad psychological and physical condition and he is very sick".
It comes after a top oligarch reportedly claimed Putin is "very ill with blood cancer" in the audio recording obtained by New Lines Magazine.
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It isn't clear exactly what type of cancer Putin may have.
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Pundits have for a long time tried to predict the state of Putin's health to no avail.
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