Since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in late February, speculation about Russian President Vladimir Putin's health has implied that he is battling an array of illnesses, including cancer and Parkinson's disease.
The most recent rumor, posted by the General SVR's Telegram channel, alleges after a difficult day of leadership earlier this week, Putin fell down five steps on a staircase and landed on his coccyx, or tailbone. The jarring fall caused the Russian leader to then "defecate involuntarily," according to the Telegram channel.
In an email, Putin's press office told Newsweek that none of General SVR's claims were true.
General SVR has repeatedly touted claims that Putin is sick, with many media outlets citing its Telegram channel as people worldwide look for proof that Putin's leadership is cracking. Previous General SVR Telegram posts have been widely reported in Europe and the United States, with organizations like the New York Post, United Kingdom's daily newspaper The Mirror and various other media organizations citing the channel's claims in articles.
What Caused the Fall?
General SVR is reportedly operated by a former Russian Foreign Intelligence Service official with inside access to Putin and his staff, although the channel's owner has not been named, according to a fact check report by Newsweek. Many of the claims made by the channel are not substantiated with proof, and fact-checking journalists such as those at Snopes and Newsweek have urged caution when using the channel as a source for truth.
Most recently, the channel started its post about Putin's failing health by saying the president had engaged with leadership about the state of Russia's economy. Although the alleged meeting can't be proven, it is true that the country's economy has suffered a devastating blow from Western sanctions imposed against Russian products, such as oil, in response to the Russia-Ukraine war.
General SVR also said as a result of the discussion and of Russia's difficulties on the battlefield, Putin was "upset" and alleged that nerves caused Putin to slip down the "safe" stairs even while wearing his non-slip shoes.
Past Allegations That Putin Is Sick
Rumors have previously circulated online that the Russian leader is battling pancreatic cancer and has received surgery for it. However, Telegram offers anonymity to its public channels, which makes it prone to misinformation from both pro- and anti-Kremlin channels.
In May, General SVR posted on Telegram that Putin had undergone surgery, possibly for his alleged cancer diagnosis. Putin and his leadership have repeatedly said that the president is not sick, but media outlets such as one article by the New York Post have started sharing photos of Putin with alleged IV marks on his hand as he gripped a Russian soldier's arm and clips of his foot shaking during meetings.
Newsweek previously reported that some medical experts have examined clips of the president and provided conflicting opinions on whether or not he suffers from Parkinson's disease or not.
Other insider information alleges in addition to Parkinson's disease, Putin suffers from prostate cancer, according to an article from The Mirror. According to the newspaper, General SVR has also claimed Putin suffers from a mental health illness called schizoaffective disorder, which can affect one's thoughts, mood and behavior.
According to the General SVR Telegram, Putin's anti-slip shoes didn't prevent his fall on Wednesday, and that his security officers rushed to his aid and called for medics on duty at Putin's residence.
"Putin suffers from [cancer] of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, as a result of which he is already experiencing serious digestive problems, and as a result of the fall, ... the main blow fell on the coccyx, probably causing sharp pain, provoking involuntary defection," an English translation of the post said, which added that Putin suffered a bruised tailbone as a result of the fall.
Update 12/06/22, 10:42 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Putin's press office.
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