New Delhi: Amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a US media report has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin might go through cancer surgery and can temporarily hand over his powers to someone else.
An unverified report by US's New York Post has claimed that Putin might hand over his power to the secretary of the country's Security Council Nikolai Patrushev as he has to undergo cancer surgery.
Putin has reportedly been told by doctors that he must undergo an operation, the New York Post reported citing a Telegram channel purportedly run by a former Russian Foreign Intelligence Service lieutenant general, reported news agency ANI.
It is being said that after the surgery Putike is likely to be incapacitated for "a short time".
Referring to Putin's supposedly "sickly appearance and uncharacteristically fidgety behaviour in public" in recent times, the New York Post report said that the Russian President has been rumoured to suffer from cancer and a host of other serious maladies, including Parkinson's disease.
However, a US official said that the media reports could not be verified with Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby saying on Monday that "I have seen nothing that could help us corroborate that," New York Post reported.
A few days ago, Putin allegedly had a two-hour "heart-to-heart" conversation with Nikolai Patrushev, the New York Post report said citing a Telegram post.
Putin likely to hand over his power to Patrushev
"We know that Putin signalled to Patrushev that he considers him to be practically his only trusted ally and friend in the government," the post claimed. "Additionally, the president promised that if his health takes a turn for the worse, actual control of the country will temporarily pass into Patrushev's hands."
"Patrushev is an outright villain. He is no better than Vladimir Putin. Moreover, he is a more cunning, and I would say, more insidious person than Vladimir Putin. If he comes to power, Russians' problems will only multiply," the owner of the Telegram channel which claimed about Putin's cancer surgery said.
The channel further claimed that Putin will not agree to hand over his power for a long duration and Patrushev may lead Russia only for short span of time which is likely to just two-three days, mentioned the New York Post.
Russia's Security Council, of which Patruchev is the secretary is an influential body that answers directly to Putin and issues guidance on military and security issues within Russia, the New York Post reported, adding, that, most of the council's power is vested in Patrushev, who is widely seen as a staunch Putin ally.
Like Putin, Patrushev is a career Russian intelligence agent, first with the Soviet KGB, then later with the Russian FSB, the report said citing Moscow Times.
Questions over the Russian President's health have been raised in recent weeks, especially after he was seen tightly gripping a desk during his meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu last month.