Source from Kremlin Claims: Putin's Relatives Are Concerned About His Health

Vladimir Putin's relatives are concerned about coughing fits, constant nausea and a lack of appetite, it is claimed, after the Russian leader allegedly underwent a medical examination over the weekend.

His circle is worried that his 'thinness and persistent cough' is becoming noticeable and will be seen by the elites in Russia as a 'sign of the leader's rapidly deteriorating health', according to Telegram channel General SVR, which has long claimed he is suffering from cancer despite the Kremlin insistence he is in good health.

Despite appearing considerably bloated and puffy in the face, the Russian president has lost 18lbs in recent months, said the channel which purports to have sources inside the Kremlin.

Today Putin sounded uncomfortable, stifling coughs while speaking in quiet, laboured tones during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

He let slip one cough during a discussion about sporting provision in Ukrainian regions he annexed from Ukraine, and hurriedly continued speaking as if trying to cover and move on as quickly as possible.

The Telegram channel - which cited no proof for its claims of Putin's ill health - reported: 'Both Putin himself and his relatives, as well as doctors, are worried about the president's coughing fits, as well as constant nausea and lack of appetite due to medication and a specific diet [for] oncology.

'In the past few months, Putin has lost eight kilograms, and those around the president are worried that the thinness and persistent cough that is noticeable in progress will be regarded by the elites as a sign of the leader's rapidly deteriorating health.'