Vladimir Putin “may already be DEAD, with body double taking his place at public appearances,” MI6 chiefs claim

VLADIMIR Putin may already be dead as a body double takes his place in public appearances, MI6 chiefs have reportedly claimed.

British intelligence officials said the Russian tyrant’s cronies would have to keep his death a secret from the world for weeks or even months.

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Putin’s health has long been the source of speculation and Moscow, as in recent years, has remained silent, insisting that Vlad’s health is “excellent”.

But Western intelligence services are suggesting that the Russian president has serious health problems including cancer and Parkinson’s disease – and recent public appearances have sparked more rumors about his physical condition.

He appeared less mobile and his face was bloated, with experts believing he may be on steroids or receiving cancer treatment.

Putin’s drastically changing appearance from strongman to sickly has raised suspicions that he is seriously ill.

An intelligence source said it was likely that Putin’s recent public appearances had been pre-taped – and he could have already died with a body double in his place.

The source told the Daily Star: “Putin is very ill and if he dies his death will be kept secret for weeks if not months.

“There is also a possibility that he is already dead. It’s impossible to know.

“Putin is believed to have used body doubles in the past when he was ill and the Kremlin may be doing so now.

“Putin is the head of a small group of senior officials who are completely loyal to him.”

The source added: “The real fear (for his cronies) is that after his death is announced, there could be a coup in the Kremlin and Russian generals want to pull out of Ukraine.

“Putin’s death will leave them powerless and vulnerable, so they have a vested interest in saying that Putin is alive – when the opposite might be the case.”

Two weeks ago, a Russian oligarch with ties to the Kremlin claimed that Putin was “severely ill with blood cancer” and underwent surgery prior to his shambolic invasion of Ukraine.

An MI6 agent said Putin’s alleged health problems were now causing him to lose power in the Kremlin.

Christopher Steele claimed the Kremlin is in “increasing disorder and chaos”.

Steele, who previously worked at MI6’s Russia desk, said Putin had to withdraw from meetings to undergo treatment and was “constantly” followed by doctors.

But even in his presence, the renowned control freak “does not provide clear political leadership”.

It was the Covid pandemic that really brought Putin’s potential health concerns to light.

According to the New York Times, Putin imposed strict quarantine measures on anyone who was scheduled to see him in person.

Visitors were required to isolate for two weeks before their scheduled meeting before being soaked in disinfectant en route.

The specially created tunnel would reportedly spray guests with a sterilizing aerosol while guests were irradiated with UV light to further disinfect them.

Putin’s health continued to come under close scrutiny in post-war Ukraine, and rumors continued to mount after a recent military parade when he was spotted with a blanket over his legs.

An oncologist said Putin may be suffering from “chemo-brain,” a cancer-related cognitive impairment caused by the treatment.