Several terrifying clues suggest Vladimir Putin was suffering with thyroid cancer and Parkinson's Disease when he ordered the Ukrainian invasion.
The Kremlin has refused to offer any explanation about what experts and investigators say are clear signs that his health was failing when he started the war.
In recent public appearances, Putin - known in Russia for his "strong man" image - has looked "bloated" and noticeably "weakened" when compared to earlier images.
The dramatic decline in his physical state has lead outsiders to wonder if he's battling a serious illness or even several conditions at once.
Just yesterday, reports emerged that a surgeon specialising in thyroid cancer in "elderly and senile" patients is being kept at the President's beck and call.
And in November last year a Russian political analyst revealed the despot had been struck by both cancer and Parkinson's Disease, while a separate source claimed he had undergone surgery for abdominal cancer.
The Parkinson's theory was strengthened in mid-March, when Putin was seen limping off-stage following a pro-war rally in Moscow.
The Russian leader's declining appearance also lead analysts to wonder whether his "puffy" and "bloated" face had been caused a cocktail of steroids - commonly used to treat cancer.
But though many recent theories suggest there is something physically wrong with the tyrant, other investigators believe his callous decisions relating to the Ukraine war may be caused by "psychological instability".
Voice experts at Japanese firm Risk Measurement Technologies compared his voice from when he ordered Russian troops into war in February to more recent recordings, as his troops continue to struggle in Ukraine.
Below are the five chilling clues that Putin is suffering with thyroid cancer and Parkinson's Disease:
Putin's on-hand cancer doctor
A surgeon who specialises in thyroid cancer in “elderly and senile” patients is being kept at Putin ’s beck and call, according to reports.
Yevgeny Selivanov, of Moscow's Central Clinical Hospital, has flown to the Russian President at least 35 times in the Black Sea resort Sochi.
Now investigative media Project (or Proekt) media, which has been blocked in Russia, has information backing the recent theories he is hiding his medical problems from his people.
Project media said: “We promised to reveal to you the main secret of the Kremlin. Of course, we are talking about the health of Vladimir Putin.”
The report reads: “It is generally accepted that in the 23rd year of his reign, the President of Russia is only interested in geopolitics.
“In fact, there is at least one other issue that Putin is hardly less worried about - his own health.
“Putin has publicly shown interest in the problem of thyroid cancer.
“In July 2020, he met with the head of the National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology, Ivan Dedov, who is the boss of Putin's eldest daughter Maria [Vorontsova].”
“Dedov told the president about the high prevalence of thyroid cancer and spoke about the new hormonal drug Tyrogin, which fights metastases after surgery.
“‘Recovery of 95%-98%?’ Putin asked and heard an affirmative answer.”
“There is indeed talk in medical circles about the president's health problems.”
It comes after Putin stayed in isolation for several months during the Covid-19 pandemic, only making visits to hospitals when decked out in a full bio-hazard suit.
Parkinson's and Cancer theory
Theories about Putin's ailing health were sparked by political analyst Professor Valery Solovei, who in November 2020 suggested the tyrant had developed cancer and Parkinson's - which was being hidden from the Russian public.
Though the theory was denied by the Kremlin, Prof Solovei said the despot had also received treatment for the degenerative disease in February 2021.
Prof Solovei - the former chief of Moscow State Institute of International Relations PR department - claimed it was Kremlin officials who confirmed Putin's diagnosis.
At the time, Prof Solovei also said the President planned to step down from his position in early 2022.
A separate Russian source suggested the Russian leader had undergone surgery for abdominal cancer.
Speaking of both conditions in 2020, Prof Solovei said: “One is of psycho-neurological nature, the other is a cancer problem.
“If anyone is interested in the exact diagnosis, I'm not a doctor, and I have no ethical right to reveal these problems.
”The second diagnosis is a lot, lot more dangerous than the first named diagnosis as Parkinson’s does not threaten physical state, but just limits public appearances.
“But there is a fatal diagnosis.
“Based on this information people will be able to make a conclusion about his life horizon, which wouldn’t even require specialist medical education.”
Putin's Limp
Theories about Putin's potential Parkinson's diagnosis were echoed in late March after the despot was filmed limping from stage after a pro-war rally.
The clip of the limp added to growing speculation the leader may be suffering from the disease, which could be influencing his behaviour.
Sir Richard Dearlove, an ex-MI6 boss, has recently told GB news there is often a link between the disease and a “loss of restraint”.
Sir Dearlove, who headed up the secret service from 1999 until 2004, said: "Maybe Putin’s behaviour - maybe his rationality - is prejudiced or compromised by illness.
"The best explanation, that we don’t know whether it’s correct or not, is that he may have Parkinson’s.
"That certainly I’ve heard from several neurologists who say that loss of restraint, psychosis, are very common Parkinson’s symptoms."
Further concerns have been raised more generally about Putin's neurological state.
Marco Rubio, a US senator and senior Senate Intelligence Committee member, recently speculated that "something if off" with the Kremlin boss.
Mr Rubio told the Telegraph : “I wish I could share more, but for now, I can say it’s pretty obvious to many that something is off with Putin.
“He has always been a killer, but his problem now is different and significant."
Putin, he went on to add, “appears to have some neuro/physiological health issues.”
The Times reported Tatiana Stanovaya, of the political analysis firm R.Politik, saying: “He (Putin) has withdrawn into himself a lot during the past two years.
"He has become distanced from the bureaucratic machinery, from the establishment, from the elite.
"He spends a lot of time alone stewing in his own fears and thoughts."
Steroids
Comparative analysis of Putin's public appearances show him looking rather worse for wear, with a bloated and "puffy" face.
Experts believe this deterioration is likely due to steroid treatment for a condition - with some suggesting the powerful medications were prescribed for a back issue.
However, others believe the drug are being used because the leader is suffering with cancer.
The drugs' side effects include rapid mood swings and severe behavioural changes.
A high dose of steroids can even cause confusion or altered cognition, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.
The charity says: "This can include having strange or frightening thoughts."
Fiona Hill, the British former senior White House expert on Russia, told Politico : "Putin’s not looking so great, he’s been rather puffy-faced.
"We know that he has complained about having back issues.
"Even if it’s not something worse than that, it could be that he’s taking high doses of steroids, or there may be something else.
"There seems to be an urgency for this that may be also driven by personal factors."
Spies Confirm Cancer
On March 13, a cohort of global spies echoed the theory that Putin's "bloated" appearance had been driven by use of steroids for cancer.
Senior figures from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States believe there is a physiological explanation for his invasion of Ukraine - which they said was caused by his "increasingly erratic behaviour", it is reported.
They are advancing theories that he may be suffering from cancer and the medical treatment he is receiving has altered the balance of his mind.
Sources also cite the dictator’s decision to physically isolate himself from guests as the use of drugs is suppressing his immune system.
Emmanuel Macron was forced to sit at the other end of a 13ft table during a meeting with the Russian President.
And foreign minister Sergei Lavrov was also seated at the other end of a particularly long table.
A security source told the Mail on Sunday : “It is only human sources that can offer you the sort of rich picture that we have of Putin’s psyche.
“There has been an identifiable change in his decision-making over the past five years or so.
"Those around him see a marked change in the cogency and clarity of what he says and how he perceives the world around him.”
