In an interview for ABC News, Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, discussed the ongoing war and the health condition of the Russian President.
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‘Terminally ill’
Budanovbelieves that Vladimir Putin is 'terminally ill' with cancer, a sickness that will be eventually fatal for him. Budanov did not provide any evidence for his claim, and it is not the first time he has presented this claim in interviews.
Budanov said:
He is ill long period.
When asked when he thinks Putin might die, he responded:
I think very fast. I hope.
Budanov added:
We think it's cancer.
We know it from human sources' that are close to Putin
Speculations about the health of Vladimir Putin have been raging for months now as are the rumours surrounding his likely successor.
Read more:
⋙ Vladimir Putin's health: Secret service reveals important detail about his alleged cancer
⋙ Vladimir Putin's health questioned again after constant coughing during New Year's Eve speech
"Putin is terminally ill. He will die before the war ends and there will be a transfer of power" - Kyrylo Budanov, Ukrainian Head of Military Intelligence in an interview with @BrittClennett of @ABCpic.twitter.com/L219NIHrhW
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) January 4, 2023
The Ukrainian intelligence believes ‘Putin’s domestic policy tsar’ Sergey Kiriyenko is a potential candidate, Daily Mail reports.
Nikolai Patrushev, the former chief of the FSB, Russia’s security service, or his son Dmitry Patrushev, who is Russia’s security chief and a close Putin ally, could also be next in line.
The interview of Budanov was also tweeted by the Ukrainian internal affairs adviser Anton Gerashchenko.
As it was by Sergey Radchenko, a Cold War historian, who in a tweet said that he took Budanov's claims ‘with a pinch of salt as they are likely intended a psy-op’, Newsweek reports.
Psychological operations,in short ‘psy-op’,conveys selected information and indicators to various audiences to influence their emotions, motives, reasoning, and behaviour.
Read more:
⋙ Vladimir Putin’s days numbered and will soon name successor, expert claims
I tend to take Budanov’s various claims with a pinch of salt as they are likely intended a psy-op but I do re-read his interviews a few months later to see how his predictions hold up. His record isn’t bad all things considered, though this is partly a function of vagueness.
— Sergey Radchenko (@DrRadchenko) January 4, 2023
Cancellation of public appearances
The reports about Putin’s health might remain unconfirmed speculations however, the cancellation of many public appearances on behalf of the Russian President throughout December has fueled the health rumours.
According to the Daily Mail, on December 28, Putin cancelled a planned trip to Pskov, a city near the Estonian border, blaming ‘unfavourable flying conditions’ while the weather forecasts suggested the skies were clear.
Before that Putin cancelled a trip to Russia's biggest tank plant in Nizhny Tagil, in the Ural mountains.
Putin also failed to appear at the recurring annual events which are an obligation according to the Russian Constitution such as the end-of-year address at the Russian Parliament, and a meeting with his government ministers.
Putin also cancelled appearances at the annual press conference, an event where he would have been speaking in front of 500 journalists, and even his beloved end-of-year ice-hockey game.
Sources used:
-ABCNews: ‘Expect more strikes 'deeper and deeper' into Russia, Ukraine’s spy chief tells ABC News’
-DailyMail: ‘Putin 'is terminally ill with cancer' and his death is coming 'very fast' says Ukraine's spy chief’
-Newsweek: ‘Rumors of Putin's Ill-Health Persist Amid Intelligence Updates’
