A former KBG agent claims Vladimir Putin is suffering from early stage dementia and being driven insane by paranoia and threat of traitors.
The Russian leader's recent public appearances following his disastrous Ukraine invasion have sparked speculation about his health and fuelled rumours that he is critically ill.
However, the 69-year-old's press secretary Dmitry Peskov has insisted Putin’s health is “excellent”, the Mirror reports.
As the Russian Army fails to fulfil its aim of toppling Ukrainian capital Kyiv in four days, Putin's reputation as a cunning geopolitical leader has been called into question.
His seemingly haphazard and ill-planned invasion has led many to consider whether once master strategist has been severely impacted by poor health.
The apparently reckless and ill thought-out invasion has led many to wonder whether a man once considered to be a master strategist has been diminished by poor health.
But ex-Russian spy Boris Karpichkov that Putin’s preoccupation with protecting his “strongman” image meant that even members of his inner circle would be left in the dark as to the state of his health.
Mr Karpichkov, a Russian defector who now lives in the UK, said Putin’ paranoia meant he viewed everyone as a “traitor”, according to The Sun Online
The former double agent said Putin is, or at least acts, insane and obsessed by paranoia ideas.
"He sees literally everyone, including those inside the Russian security services and even inside his close inner circle, to be 'traitors’,” Mr Karpichkov added.
"He is so suspicious and so obsessed with his paranoia ideas that he can be now compared with Stalin."
According to Mr Karpichkov, it was likely that Putin was suffering from “numerous” health conditions, such as Parkinson’s and the early stages of Dementia.
It was thought that these health conditions may have been caused by sporting injuries during Putin’s younger years, Mr Karpichkov said, as well as his issues caused by ageing - such as dementia.
"Another potential issue might be - judging from how he moves - that Putin can be suffering from the initial stages of either Parkinson's, or another serious disorder caused by some form of cancer, brain tumour, for example,” Mr Karpichkov added.
While Kremlin officials continue to deny there is anything wrong with their leader, Putin appeared confused and out of breath as he wheezed through his latest speech - in which he threatened the West with nuclear weapons.
The President also appeared exhausted and seemed to be struggling to catch his breath, as he paused several times during the address to politicians.
Last week, footage from talks with his defence minister Sergey Shoigu showed the tyrant gripping the table and slouching, prompting further rumours that he may be suffering from Parkinson's.
Texas Tech University body language expert Professor Erik Bucy said the video showed an “astonishingly weakened Putin” compared to how he appeared even a few years ago.
He said: "An able-bodied president would not need to keep himself propped up with a hand held out for leverage and would not be concerned about keeping both feet planted on the ground."
Another recent video showing Putin greeting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at the Kremlin showed the leader’s hands trembling violently.
In it the former KGB operative is seen holding one hand to his chest while the other is held in a fist.
As his hand begins to tremor uncontrollably, Putin pulls it close to his chest, in an apparent attempt to stop the shaking.
Despite his efforts, as he walks toward his long-time ally and fellow election stealer he wobbles unsteadily as his legs continue to tremble.
While the secretive Russian leader - who says he "does not permit" any form of intrusion into his personal life - is unlikely to release reliable medical records for himself anytime soon, arm-chair physicians were quick to speculate about possible Parkinson's.
Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of M16, has pushed speculation that Putin is indeed ill, even if the exact condition is difficult to determine.
He told GB News last month: "What’s also worrying is the speculation, and it is speculation, that maybe Putin’s behaviour, maybe his rationality is prejudiced or compromised by illness."
Putin seems to constantly be surrounded by security and follows a detailed programme, attending only a small number of meetings for a short amount of time.
The careful planning of the dictator’s life feeds into speculation about his declining health, as does the belief that he is followed by a team of doctors carefully monitoring his health.
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