EDITOR’S PICK
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Vladimir Putin’s top commanders would ignore an order to unleash nuclear weapons against Ukraine or the West, because they think he is dying or ill.
According to Christo Grozev, who is associated with the Bellingcat open source research group, said many leading military and security officials, as well as oligarch cronies, believe the Russian president to be dying or gravely ill.
Fearing he may not be around for much longer, Putin’s inner circle would not run the risk of being dragged before a modern equivalent of the Nuremberg trials.
Putin placed the country’s nuclear forces on high alert shortly after launching his invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
As Western nations rallied to arm Ukraine’s military with the means to repel the assault, the Kremlin leader made a series of thinly veiled threats hinting at his willingness to press the button.
Russia’s Defence Ministry has now revealed that Monday’s Victory Day parade in Red Square will feature an appearance by the Il-80 ‘doomsday’ command plane, which would carry the top brass in the event of a nuclear war.
In that scenario, the Il-80 is designed to become an airborne command centre for the Russian president.
Asked in an online TV interview whether Putin’s health is in decline, Dmitry Gordon asked Mr Grozev: ‘We watch [Putin] spasmodically clutching the corner of the table with his right arm during a meeting with [Defence Minister Sergei] Shoigu.
“And his jacket being too high and tight around his neck, his stumbling, limping gait… Is he sick, or do we just so much want him to be sick?”
Mr Grozev replied: “I can’t speak without information, but we know that oligarchs from his closest circle claim it.
“We also know that the Lubyanka [FSB secret service] sent a letter about a month ago to all regional FSB chiefs.
FURTHER READING:
It said, “If you hear about him having a very serious illness, we insist you do not pay attention”.
“So they all thought this means the exact opposite.”
Click to watch our video of the week:
Deborah Elufisan, an Anchor University Student becomes a chartered accountant She has aced her ICAN…
Hudson Meek, a young actor in "Baby Driver," tragically died at 16. He succumbed to…
Asake, known by fans as "Mr. Money," has swiftly ascended the ranks within the Nigerian…