Has Putin Died? What we know, what we don't
Rumors spread online that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had died.
www.newsweek.com
Rumors surrounding Russian President Vladimir Putin's health have doggedly followed him throughout his time in power, often without evidence to support them.
Earlier this week, a story that he had suffered a cardiac arrest led to headlines around the world. The Kremlin denied the claims saying "everything was fine with him."
Now, however, this reported slide in health has allegedly reached its nadir, if the newest rumor is to be believed.
A Telegram post by Russian gossip channel General SVR, on October 26, 2023, stated that Putin died at his residence in Valdai at "20.42 p.m Moscow time" on Thursday, sparking "a coup d'état in Russia!"
"Now the doctors are blocked in the room with Putin's corpse, they are being held by employees of the presidential security service on the personal order of Dmitry Kochnev, who is in touch and receives instructions from the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Nikolai Patrushev," the post added.
"The security of the president's double has been strengthened. Active negotiations are underway. Any attempt to pass off a double as president after Putin's death is a coup d'état."