Putin is said to be seriously ill and to resign in...

The rumor mill in Moscow has been simmering for weeks. Russian President Vladimir Putin is said to be seriously ill – from Parkinson’s or cancer or even both. That is why Putin will resign his office next year at the insistence of his family. The succession has already been determined, it is said.

The rumors were also fired when the 68-year-old hockey fan did not take part in the “Nocturnal Hockey League” about a week ago, but only sent best regards. The nation had only just recovered from the publicly broadcast coughing fit that Putin had over a public video link with government officials in mid-November.

“Putin will announce his plans in January”

All of the guesswork began with interviews Valery Solovei gave. The historian, Putin critic and former professor at the Moscow diplomatic school MGIMO was once considered a well-informed insider. Today, however, many doubt his statements.

The British media, but also the broadcaster Echo Moskvy, had told Solowei that “Vladimir Putin wanted to announce his plans for the transit of power in January”. An extensive change in management will go hand in hand with Putin’s resignation.

Putin had promised his family to resign, Solowei claimed. Because the president is seriously ill. Solowei referred to the Telegram channel “General SWR”, which is supposedly run by ex-secret service agents. There is an entry there that says that President Putin is being treated with drugs for Parkinson’s and cancer. However, not only critics of Soloweis doubt the truthfulness of his statements. This is primarily about media attention.

Evidence and official denial

Rumors about the state of health of the top Russian have been making the rounds for years, and remote diagnostics are being carried out as far as possible: Putin has suffered from vertebral damage, Asperger’s syndrome and pancreatic cancer in the past. Then again: when Putin actually sustained a back injury in 2012 and had visible problems sitting and walking, the Kremlin kept silent about it for months. The president’s health is and will remain a well-kept secret in the Kremlin.

The Russia correspondent of the German “Tagesschau” seems to attach little importance to the speculation – but nevertheless mentions “the other indications” that could indicate Putin’s departure: For example, that state television has been looking back on Putin’s years in power for weeks as well as rare pictures his private archive show. Or the proposal accompanying the constitutional reform for total immunity for the president and his family even after his term in office, as well as new draft laws that could keep possible opponents and critics in check during the political transition period.

The rumors about Putin’s health persist. So tenacious that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov felt compelled to deny it decisively. That is all nonsense. The president is doing well, he is in top shape and has no plans to resign.

It remains to be seen whether the guesswork about Putin’s health will pick up again after December 17th. Then the big annual press conference with hundreds of media representatives takes place. Because of the epidemiological situation, Putin is connected from his suburban residence in Novo-Ogaryovo, where he has been staying for months. The Russians are likely to watch their president’s appearance with eagle eyes.