Rumours are swirling around the health of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who allegedly suffered a cardiac arrest last week and was found lying on the floor by his security guards. According to a Telegram channel reportedly run by a former Kremlin insider, Putin was in his bedroom when he collapsed and convulsed on the floor next to his bed. The channel claimed that doctors were called immediately and resuscitated Putin before taking him to a special intensive care facility within his official residence.
The Telegram channel, called General SVR, said that the incident happened on Sunday night, October 22, 2023, and that Putin was diagnosed with having a cardiac arrest. The channel also said that Putin’s condition was stable but critical, and that he was under constant medical supervision.
However, the Kremlin has not confirmed or denied the claim, and has maintained its usual silence on Putin’s health issues. The Russian government has not issued any official statement or update on Putin’s whereabouts or activities since October 20, 2023, when he met with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Sochi to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Kremlin’s website has not posted any new photos or videos of Putin since then, and his public schedule has been empty.
Some analysts have speculated that the claim could be part of a disinformation campaign or a power struggle within the Russian elite, as Putin is expected to run for a fifth term in the presidential election in 2024. Others have suggested that the claim could be a warning sign of a possible coup or assassination attempt against Putin, who has faced growing opposition and protests from his critics and rivals at home and abroad .
Putin, who is 71 years old, has been in power since 2000, either as president or prime minister. He is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and influential leaders in the world, and has been involved in several international conflicts and controversies, such as the annexation of Crimea, the intervention in Syria, the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, and the invasion of Ukraine .
Putin’s health has been a subject of speculation and mystery for years, as he rarely reveals any personal details or undergoes any public medical examinations. He is known to be secretive about his family, his wealth, and his hobbies. He often portrays himself as a strong and fit leader, who enjoys sports, hunting, fishing, and riding horses. However, he has also been seen limping, coughing, and sweating in some occasions, sparking rumours of various illnesses or injuries .
The claim that Putin had a cardiac arrest has not been verified by any independent sources or confirmed by any official authorities. It remains unclear whether it is true or false, and what implications it could have for Russia and the world. As of now, Putin’s health status and location are still unknown.