‘Cancer stricken’ Vladimir Putin has been ill for FIVE years as he’s surrounded by team of doctors monitoring his health

VLADIMIR Putin has reportedly been ill for five years and is constantly surrounded by a team of doctors monitoring his health. The Russian tyrant has routinely disappeared from the public eye and been accompanied by over a dozen top medics since 2017. Putin has reportedly been sick and surrounded by doctors for the last five yearsGetty His sturdy persona has been slashed by reports he is suffering from cancer and Parkinson’s Disease, with pictures showing his bloated face. It seems his indestructible image could have been part of an elaborate ruse to keep his health conditions out of the limelight. His drastically changing appearance from strongman to sickly has also aroused suspicions he is severely unwell. Putin, 69, has had a string of strange hiatuses over the last five years, as well as hush-hush doctor visits. READ MORE ON VLADIMIR PUTIN VLAD TO WORSE Putin's descent from Judo strongman to feeble ‘cancer victim’ in 3 years WHAT'S IN A NAME? Putin’s daughter secretly living in Germany with man called ZELENSKY Independent Russian media outlet Proekt analysed his large bout of absences and found he was constantly followed by an army of medics. They compared doctors’ check-in dates with Putin’s schedule and calculated that between five and 13 doctors were shadowing the warmonger at all times during 2016 and 2017. These medics reportedly included an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist, an infectious disease specialist, a neurosurgeon and an oncologist, among others. Putin then took some time out of the public eye in November 2016 for around six days, only appearing in pre-recorded meetings. Most read in The Sun LVIV AT FIRST SIGHT I dumped partner for Ukrainian refugee days after she moved in with us AISLE BE DAMNED Cause of Sainsbury’s panic revealed as shoppers faint in ‘horror scene' COOK UP A STORM Woman lists air-fryer for sale on eBay - but the pics have everyone talking VIRAL SPREAD Monkeypox outbreak doubles as a further 11 cases identified, Javid confirms WHAT A PAD Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan reveal mirrored bedroom claiming 'it's the nuts' SHAPE OF TWO Ed Sheeran secretly becomes dad for second time after wife Cherry gives birth The Proekt probe found that 12 specialist doctors checked into Sochi hospital, situated close to one of the Russian President’s residences. Neurosurgeons, his personal doctor and a rehabilitation specialist were all on hand, fuelling rumours he had been unwell. Putin then vanished in August 2017, before Proekt claim top oncologist-surgeon Evgeny Selivanov began visiting him. They said the expert cancer-doctor saw him a whopping 35 times in four years, with only ENT specialists seeing him more often. Selivanov’s thesis is entitled: “Peculiarities of diagnostics and surgical treatment of elderly and senile patients with thyroid cancer”. Putin also suffered a nasty fall in 2017 during a game of ice hockey, seeing him get checked over by his orthopaedic traumatologist. The following year in February 2018, the warlord again disappeared. But the Kremlin brushed off his winter break, claiming that the Russian leader “had caught a cold”. COVID FEARS By 2019, Proekt claims he had an average of nine doctors accompanying him. However, it was the Covid pandemic that really flagged up Putin’s possible health concerns. According to The New York Times, Putin imposed strict quarantine measures on anyone who was due to see him in person. Visitors were forced to isolate for two weeks before their scheduled meeting, before being drenched in disinfectant on the way. The specially created tunnel would reportedly spray guests with a sterilising aerosol, while shining UV lights on guests to further sanitise them. Putin’s health has been subject to huge scrutiny in the wake of the war in Ukraine, and rumours continued to mount in the wake of last week’s military parade when the tyrant was seen with a blanket over his legs. In his latest video appearance, the 69-year-old appeared to sport a swollen face while fidgeting and tightly gripping the arm of his chair. An oncologist has alleged that Putin may be suffering from “chemo brain”, a cancer-related cognitive impairment brought on by treatment. Read More on The Sun FASHION QUEEN Slimmer than ever Martine McCutcheon, 46, stuns in skinny cropped jeans DEAL DO'S AND DON'TS 3 things you should always buy at Wilko - and 2 items to get elsewhere A Brit ex-spy claimed his alleged mystery illness is now taking a significant toll, forcing him to take breaks during meeting for treatment. Christopher Steele, who previously worked the Russia desk at MI6,  said Putin was “constantly” being followed around with doctors. The 69-year-old’s tired appearance has fuelled rumours his health is decliningAP