Putin health fears as ‘cancer-stricken’ Vlad retches and splutters through meeting amid ‘chemotherapy’ rumours

VLADIMIR Putin has appeared to retch and splutter throughout his meeting as he met with a close ally and defence aide. The Russian president’s face appeared bloated as he gripped the table in front of him during talks with Sergey Chemezov, head of state-owned defence giant Rostec. ReutersVladimir Putin appeared bloated and slumped in his latest TV appearance[/caption] ReutersThe Russian president gripped the table while seemingly struggling to breathe[/caption] ReutersSergey Chemezov has known Putin since their KGB days in the 1980s[/caption] Putin, 69, sat opposite Chemezov, whom he has known since they were both in the KGB in the 1980s, staring ahead with dull eyes. He seemed to retch several times and struggle to speak throughout the clip released by Russian state TV. It is the latest appearance by Putin to spark speculation about his health since the start of the war in Ukraine. Kremlin insiders have claimed that he may have cancer, which could explain his recent bloated appearance and erratic behaviour. Read more on Russia DEFIANT TO THE END Hero Ukrainians finally evacuated from besieged steelworks after 82 days WAR CRIMINAL Baby-faced Russian who shot civilian dead pleads GUILTY in 1st war crime trial Yesterday, it was reported that Putin had emergency surgery to drain fluid from his abdomen. The Russian president was seen hosting a virtual meeting of the country’s security council on Friday, sparking a number of comments about his bizarre appearance. An anti-Putin channel on the messaging app General SVR, which is reportedly run by a Kremlin insider, shared the allegations about Russia’s leader on Tuesday. It insisted in the post that “Vladimir Putin did not hold this meeting in real-time”. Most read in News DEATH PLUNGE Chinese airliner 'DELIBERATELY crashed by pilot or intruder in 350mph dive' PARK ATTACK Girl, 17, has face savaged by dog in park as she tried to help owner HOLIDAY HORROR Two Brits killed in motorbike crash in Vietnam LOOK OF YOU I'm having 'Ed Sheeran's' baby… but star's wife doesn't need to worry, says fan 'LEGENDARY' SPIRIT Sound of Music family's Rosmarie Trapp dies aged 93, family confirms MP RAPE ARREST Tory MP arrested for rape and sex assault spanning seven-year period The post went on: “The introduction was pre-recorded and the closed part was played using computer graphics and Deepfake technology to create the illusion of Putin’s presence.” Explaining the reason for Putin’s absence on Friday, it added: “On the night of Thursday, May 12 to Friday, May 13, Putin underwent a surgical procedure to remove fluid from his abdomen. It isn’t known whether this abdomen-draining procedure was part of cancer treatment. The abdomen naturally contains peritoneal fluid, but it can build up excessively as a result of certain conditions. These include cancer, cirrhosis, infection, or inflammation. While last week, it was reported that Putin is “very ill with blood cancer,” according to a Russian oligarch. The business leader who was secretly caught in an audio recording slammed the Russian president, adding: All you need to know about Russia's invasion of Ukraine Everything you need to know about Russia's invasion of Ukraine... Why is Russia invading Ukraine? Will the UK go to war? How can I join the Ukraine foreign legion? What can I do to help Ukraine? Who is Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky? How much gas does the UK get from Russia? Is Russia a part of Nato? Does Russia have nuclear weapons? Why is Ukraine not in Nato? How big is the Russian army? What is Article 5 of the Nato treaty? What is the Minsk agreement? Which countries were in the Soviet Union? What does the Z mean on Russian tanks? Meaning behind symbols explained When will the Russia-Ukraine war end? “He [Putin] absolutely ruined Russia’s economy, Ukraine’s economy, and many other economies – ruined absolutely. “The problem is with his head… One crazy guy can turn the world upside down.” In his TV appearance on Tuesday, Putin appeared fidgety and twitchy, slouching over as he gripped the arm of his chair. It follows claims that Putin’s chaotic invasion of Ukraine could be due to his receiving chemotherapy. An oncologist has alleged that Putin may be suffering from “chemo brain”, a cancer-related cognitive impairment brought on by treatment. Individuals suffering from chemo brain can make “crazy” decisions without thinking them through. Although the Kremlin insists that Putin is perfectly healthy, many have claimed that Russia’s leader has looked increasingly unwell in recent months. PUTIN’S FIGHTER JET In today’s meeting with Chemezov, the Rostec boss announced the upgrading of Putin’s new fighter jet. Russia’s new Tu-160M, due to be finally launched in 2027, is reportedly an improvement on the Tu-160 and was first announced in 2015. It will include a new Kuznetsov NK-32 engine, the Russian defence chief bragged. “The heavy upgrade of the Tu-160M missile-carrying bomber with the NK-32 engine has been completed,” he said. “We have actually created a new aircraft.” AFPChemezov’s £120m superyacht ‘Valerie’ was seized in March[/caption] Russia’s upgraded Tu-160M will only retain the external appearance of the original Tu-160. “Both the engine and the onboard equipment are new and all of the assemblies have been replaced,” Chemezov added. He said that serial production will begin in 2027 and that so far, a prototype version has been created. In March, just weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Chemezov’s £120m superyacht ‘Valerie’ was seized in Spain as part of sanctions against Putin’s regime and his cronies. The luxury vessel, which was used by Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez last summer for a romantic getaway, has been temporarily seized in Barcelona. Read More on The Sun READ IT AND WEEP My sister was charged £32 just for CRYING in front of the doctor at clinic RYAN-FAIR Ryanair passenger divides opinion after refusing to move seats for mum and baby Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on La Sexta television: “Today we seized – the technical term is provisionally immobilised – a yacht belonging to one of the principal oligarchs. “We are talking about a yacht that we estimate is worth $140 million.” Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine Fund PICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears. Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund. Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded. Donate here to help The Sun’s fund Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles £3 — text SUN£3£5 — text SUN£5£10 — text SUN£10 Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis. In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world. For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund