SICK Vladimir Putin was treated for advanced cancer in April, US spy chiefs have claimed.
The high-ranking officials reportedly said aides inside the Kremlin are "sensing that the end is near" for the 69-year-old Russian dictator.
The Russian leader has long been rumoured to be battling illnesses such as cancer and Parkinson's.
It's been claimed that Putin could already be using tricks such as pre-recorded appearances and even body doubles to stage manage his health.
The three US spy chiefs, who read the latest intelligence report on Putin's health at the end of May, said there are concerns Putin is increasingly paranoid about his hold on power.
One of the sources told Newsweek: "Putin's grip is strong but no longer absolute.
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"The jockeying inside the Kremlin has never been more intense during his rule, everyone sensing that the end is near."
All three officials – from the Director of National Intelligence, the US Air Force, and the Defense Intelligence Agency – warned Putin's isolation has made it difficult for US intelligence to assess his status and health.
But the DNI source said: "What we know is that there is an iceberg out there, albeit one covered in fog.
"One source of our best intelligence, which is contact with outsiders, largely dried up as a result of the Ukraine war.
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"Putin has had few meetings with foreign leaders… Putin's isolation has thus increased levels of speculation."
The retired US Air Force leader added: "Is Putin sick? Absolutely. But we shouldn't let waiting for his death drive proactive actions on our part.
"A power vacuum after Putin could be very dangerous for the world."
For the intelligence community, the long table and Putin's behaviour with French President Emmanuel Macron in February was "noted".
The DNI source told Newsweek: "There was no shaking of hands, no warm embrace, and we noticed that."
The Kremlin has not commented on the alleged cancer surgery but routinely insists Putin is in robust health, denying medical problems.
And Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed rumours of Putin's ill health in an interview on French TV last weekend.
He said: "I don't think that a sane person can suspect any signs of an illness or ailment in this man."
'CHAOS LIES AHEAD'
The intelligence officials said Putin's deteriorating health will make the prospects of nuclear war less likely – but his death will still "cause chaos".
The DIA leader said: "Putin being sick or dying is good for the world, not just because of the future of Russia or ending the Ukraine war, but in diminishing the mad man threat of nuclear war.
"A weakened Putin – an obviously declining leader, not one at the top of his game – has less influence over his advisors and subordinates, say, if he orders the use of nukes."
He added: "Putin is definitely sick… whether he's going to die soon is mere speculation.
"Still, we shouldn't rest assured. We shouldn't answer our own mail, if you will, believing only the intelligence that affirms our own desired outcome.
"He's still dangerous, and chaos does lie ahead if he does die. We need to focus on that. Be ready."
The intelligence sources also confirmed there was an assassination attempt on the Russian leader's life in March.
And if Putin died or was killed, British intelligence officials said Kremlin would have to keep his death a secret from the world for weeks – or even months, reports The Daily Star Sunday.
Western intelligence suggests the Russian president has serious health issues – and some of his recent public appearances sparked further rumours about his physical state.
He has appeared less mobile and his face has been bloated, with experts believing he is taking steroids or receiving cancer treatment.
CHANGING APPEARANCE
Putin's drastically changing appearance from strongman to sickly has aroused suspicions he is severely unwell.
Two weeks ago, a Russian oligarch with links to the Kremlin claimed Putin is "very ill with blood cancer" and had surgery before his shambolic invasion of Ukraine.
And Putin appeared to retch and splutter through a televised meeting last month – sparking fresh fears for his health.
Meanwhile, an MI6 agent said Putin's rumoured health woes are now causing him to lose his grip on power in the Kremlin.
Christopher Steele claimed the Kremlin is in "increasing disarray and chaos".
Steele, who previously worked the Russia desk at MI6, said Putin has to bow out of meetings to undergo treatment and he was "constantly" being followed around with doctors.
But even when he is present, the renowned control freak provides "no clear political leadership".
It was the Covid pandemic that really flagged up Putin's possible health concerns.
According to The New York Times, Putin imposed strict quarantine measures on anyone who was due to see him in person.
Visitors were forced to isolate for two weeks before their scheduled meeting, before being drenched in disinfectant on the way in.
A specially created tunnel would reportedly spray guests with a sterilising aerosol, while shining UV lights to further sanitise them.
And Putin's health has been subject to huge scrutiny in the wake of the war in Ukraine.
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Rumours continued to mount after recent military parade when he was seen with a blanket over his legs.
An oncologist said Putin may be suffering from "chemo brain", a cancer-related cognitive impairment brought on by treatment.
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