Vladimir Putin’s “inner circle” has reportedly chosen his successor as rumors swirl about the Russian president’s serious ill health and claims his death could be “imminent”.
Russia’s warmongering leader has suffered a “sharp deterioration in his health” and body doubles could be used to impersonate him after he dies or is removed from power, Telegram General SVR claimed.
But in a dramatic new twist, his “inner circle” is reportedly trying to agree on the idea of the “continuation of the Putin regime after Putin”, according to Newsweek.
The Russian president has never publicly voiced an opinion of his possible replacement, but the top candidate is said to be Federal Security Service chief and top aide Nikolai Patrushev.
The Telegram channel – without providing any solid proof – also claims those close to Putin favour Patrushev.
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But a bitter row could soon erupt over Putin’s possible replacement, with some senior players understood to be seeking “guarantees” on their future under a new regime.
Historically, the constitutional stance is if Putin were to die in office, then he would be replaced by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin for a three-month period – making him the acting president.
The Telegram channel continued: “Putin himself refused to leave any instructions or covenants on what to do after him, preferring to withdraw into himself, and perhaps deciding that the chaos after him is the best legacy.
“Be that as it may, the end will come very soon. Power in Russia in a crisis situation traditionally goes to the one who turns out to be the most daring.”
Telegram General SVR has also claimed death is “imminent” after a “sharp deterioration in his health” and body doubles could be used to impersonate him after he dies or is removed from power.
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But there are also rumours of a row that has broken out between his aides over who should control these body doubles.
It claimed: “The attending doctors predict Putin’s imminent death amid a sharp deterioration in his health.
“In the inner circle of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a fuss began with an attempt to create a consensus around the idea of the continuation of the existence of the Putin regime after Putin.
“There is a general understanding that for some time it has been possible to use a double of the president after the death or removal from power of the real Vladimir Putin.
“Almost all interested parties are ready to rally around a double who can be controlled. The only problem is who will control the double, and this requires mutual trust, which simply does not exist.”
Speculation around Putin’s ill health has been gathering pace for several months, with the Russian president only making a handful of public appearances and speeches since the Ukraine war began.
But last week, he appeared on camera in front of the world’s media to suggest Russia could broker a peace deal between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group in their ongoing conflict.
Earlier today, he was also pictured arriving in Beijing, China, before he was greeted by the country’s president, Xi Jinping.
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