For weeks, we have been hearing rumours about Putin’s health. A Russian Telegram channel has been issuing reports of his ill health, followed by a cardiac arrest and even death… No evidence or verification has been offered along with these claims, yet they have gained traction across social media platforms.
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Just last week Andriy Yusov, a representative of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, said that these rumours are false - and that they have been spread by the Kremlin to gauge the public’s reaction to Putin’s 'death'. Now, Yusov has explained that the citizens who reacted with joy will soon face the consequences.
Rumours around Putin’s death
The Telegram channel General SVR has been updating the public about Putin’s supposed death for over a fortnight now. The channel claims to have insider Kremlin information but its reports of Putin suffering a cardiac arrest, Russia using a body double, and the Russian President’s body being stored in a freezer are all unverified. The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has repeatedly denied the claims and insisted that Putin is ‘fine’.
According to the Russian investigative site Agentstvo, searches for the phrases ‘dead Putin, dying Putin, and Putin died’ had more than 417,000 impressions on Russia's most popular search engine last month. As the news of Putin’s supposed death circulated online, Russians reacted, commented and shared online.
Russians who rejoiced will face consequences
Yusov has now spoken to the Ukrainska Pravda talk show and revealed some terrifying information about Russian secret services. He claims they have ‘photographed, literally screenshotted, all public reactions’ to the reports, including likes and comments on social media. In the interview, which took place on Friday 3 November, he stated:
Soon, someone will probably come for some of those who put smiley-face emojis under messages about Putin's death.
He reiterated his claim that the rumours were spread by Russian officials themselves, stating that ‘we must understand that this is a Russian story, a Russian campaign’.
Yusov didn’t give any more details but Putin is known for his vicious tactics as a leader, with zero tolerance for traitors. It seems likely that he will teach a lesson through those who were bold enough to celebrate the end of his life.
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Sources used:
Newsweek: Russians Who Rejoiced at Putin Death Rumors Will Be Punished: Ukraine Intel
Newsweek: As 'Putin Dead' Rumor Spreads, Russians Search for Answers
