Russian President Putin underwent treatment in April for advanced stage cancer. There was also an attempt on his life. This was reported by NewsWeek, citing U.S. intelligence data.
A secret U.S. report notes that Putin appeared to have undergone treatment for advanced cancer in April," the newspaper said, citing three U.S. intelligence officials who read the document. They also claim that an attempt was made on Putin's life in March.
These individuals, representing three separate intelligence agencies, are concerned that Putin is becoming increasingly paranoid when it comes to holding power, status.
This condition of the Russian dictator only exacerbates the complex and unpredictable developments in Ukraine. But this, experts say, is one factor that makes the prospect of a nuclear war less likely.
Newsweek's sources also complain that Putin's isolation is not conducive to getting the right information about possible changes in the Kremlin's strategy.
"He (Putin, - ed.) is as dangerous as ever, and if he does die, chaos awaits us. We need to focus on that. Be prepared," emphasized an official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
"The source of our best intelligence information, namely contact with outsiders, has been largely lost as a result of the war in Ukraine," one official said, adding that Putin has had several meetings with foreign leaders, making it clear that the information we need can sometimes be obtained during face-to-face meetings.
"Thus, Putin's isolation has increased the level of speculation," the official stressed.
"We must remember to mistake wishful thinking for reality. We learned - or didn't learn - that lesson from the bitter experiences with Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein," the retired U.S. Air Force commander cautioned.
U.S. intelligence believed Hussein had a serious mental disorder and bin Laden was dying of kidney disease.
However, according to the same expert, "someone once thought to be all-powerful is now mostly struggling with the future, particularly his own."
"Putin's power is strong, but no longer absolute. The violent struggle within the Kremlin has never been more intense during his rule, everyone feels that the end is near," a senior intelligence officer added.
U.S. intelligence officials are skeptical that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be influenced by Russian public opinion about the war in Ukraine, and officials also doubt that the war in Ukraine will lead to Putin's removal from power.
