CIA Director Responds to Claims Putin Is in Poor Health or Dying

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to winners of the Leaders of Russia Competition, the flagship project of the Russia—Land of Opportunity presidential platform in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on July 7, 2022. Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

The head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) responded to frequent claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin is in poor health amid the conflict in Ukraine.

CIA Director William Burns told an audience that Putin was “entirely too healthy” and made note of the rumors, which are often featured in UK tabloids. Earlier this year, there was speculation and anonymously sourced reports that alleged Putin, 69, was suffering from some form of cancer and even was allegedly bathing in the blood of deer antlers to deal with the ailment—a rumor that has never been officially confirmed.