Bizarre rumour: Putin long dead?

MI6 sources claim Vladimir Putin may already be dead amid speculation over the Russian leader's health.

The Daily Star reports that recent performances may have involved the use of a double as Kremlin cronies want to cover up his death to stay in power.

There have been rumors that the warmonger's health has deteriorated in recent months. His face looked puffy and observers wondered if the 69-year-old might have blood cancer.

Senior MI6 bosses say the Russian president has been seriously ill recently but his death is likely to be covered up.

Recent media appearances were most likely pre-taped, a source said, speculating that his appearance at Moscow's Victory Day parade earlier this month may have been a body double.

An intelligence source: "Putin is very ill and when he dies his death will be kept secret for weeks if not months."

"There's also the possibility that he's already dead. It's impossible to know."

"Putin is suspected to have used body doubles in the past when he was down, and the Kremlin may be doing the same now."

"Putin is the head of a small group of senior officials who are absolutely loyal to him."

"The real fear (for his cronies) is that after the announcement of his death, there could be a Kremlin coup and Russian generals want to pull out of Ukraine.

"Putin's death will leave them powerless and vulnerable, so they have a keen interest in claiming that Putin is alive - when the opposite might be true.

It is widely believed that Putin is on steroids or undergoing cancer treatment that has left his face puffy.

Two weeks ago, a Russian oligarch with close ties to the Kremlin said Putin was "very ill with blood cancer" and had undergone an operation before invading Ukraine.