There have been claims that Vladimir Putin could be seriously ill and that is among the reasons behind his sudden invasion of Ukraine.
UK and US spies have reportedly claimed that the Russian President may have terminal bowel cancer.
One ex-military officer working at the Pentagon in the US told the Daily Star that analysts are studying the 69-year-old and his “puffy face” may be a sign that he could be taking chemotherapy or steroid drugs.
A source told the newspaper: “In the past we have seen him smile, but in 2022 there are few pictures of him looking happy.
"His look suggests he is in pain and our people suggest his angry look is most likely as a result of him being in agony.
“Our people are confident he is ill – he is concerned about Covid as he keeps his staff at a distance.”
Bizarre photos taken in recent weeks show Putin meeting world leaders across comically long tables.
He reportedly uses the massive, five-metre long tables, due to Covid concerns.
A senior Royal Navy admiral, who was hosting an online debate with schoolchildren in Hampshire on Friday, suggested the long tables could be sign of ill health.
Chris Parry told the youngsters: “He has been using these very long tables to interview people.
“I think his immune system might be suppressed at the moment. So he is a man in a hurry.”
Meanwhile, pictures posted on social media by the Kremlin showing Putin at such meetings have sparked social media commentary about his looks and health.
Putin, who is said to be obsessed with fitness and once posed shirtless on a horse, has been dubbed “ashen and bloated” by Twitter users.
One person replied: “So I thought Putin’s face looked like that from Botox and filler but today someone who’s more of an expert on faces than I am told me it looks like long-term steroid use because of a serious health problem.”
Another said: “Vladimir is looking a little puffy in the face. Steroids to treat a disease, perhaps. Or is he just getting fat?”
A third said: “Putin doesn’t look well and hasn’t for weeks. He looks tired, puffy.”
There has been no official confirmation about the state of Putin’s health.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has entered its 12th day, claiming the lives of innocent people and destroying entire towns and cities.
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