Speculation surrounding the rumored death of Vladimir Putin has taken a perplexing turn, as his top security aide, Nikolai Patrushev, and the individual anticipated to succeed the Russian President, made enigmatic references to him entirely in the past tense during a peculiar speech.
The rumors gained momentum when General SVR, a Telegram channel believed to be linked to a Kremlin insider, asserted that Putin had succumbed to a heart attack, further claiming that body doubles had been strategically employed. The Kremlin vehemently refuted these rumors, as reported by Express, UK.
In a recent video that surfaced on Friday, Nikolai Patrushev, a former head of the FSB security service and a figure endorsed as a potential successor to Putin, delivered an address dressed entirely in black. Patrushev's speech contained unusual allusions to the Russian President, adding an air of mystery to the already circulating rumors.
The situation continues to fuel speculation and intrigue as observers attempt to decipher the significance of these statements and their potential implications for the political landscape in Russia. The Kremlin's persistent denial of Putin's alleged demise further deepens the uncertainty surrounding this unfolding narrative.
The Secretary of Russia’s Security Council said: "Tired of the dashing 1990s, [Russian] society was waiting for the solution of social and economic problems and strengthening of national security.
"It required a leader who could put the welfare of the population at the top of the agenda, display the highest human and organisational qualities, will, and dedication.
"Such a leader was Putin, who first served as Prime Minister, then was elected President and, in accordance with the Constitution, became Chairman of the Russian Security Council.
"He knew in detail the state of affairs in the country, had a clear programme of action, saw the goal, imagined the tasks that should be solved to achieve it, the sequence of steps, as well as the necessary forces, means and resources.
"At the same time, he realised the critical importance of an evolutionary approach as opposed to revolutionary leaps, always weakening the Russian state.
"He believed in people and the reliability of their support and backing, realised and consciously assumed all responsibility for the salvation of the Fatherland."
Gennady Gudkov, an opposition politician and former FSB colonel, reacted to the bizarre video on X, writing to his 250,000 followers, "Patrushev, dressed in black, makes a speech about the great comrade Putin in the past tense: He was, he became, he led, he inspired," Express, UK reported.
"Has the memorial service begun? Is it 'Vasilyevich' on the throne? Have Valery Solovey’s predictions come true?"
The latest statement follows earlier assertions made by Russian political analyst Solovney, a former professor at Moscow's Institute of International Relations, renowned for training spies and diplomats. According to Solovney, who has put forth a claim that Vladimir Putin passed away on the evening of October 26, the unfolding situation has heightened speculation about the Russian President's alleged demise, as reported by Express, UK.
The comments from Solovney, coupled with the cryptic references made by Nikolai Patrushev, contribute to the ongoing uncertainty and intrigue surrounding Putin's rumored death. The Kremlin, however, continues to vehemently deny these claims, intensifying the enigma surrounding the political landscape in Russia.
(With Agency Inputs)
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