Coughing Fit Forces Putin To Delay TV Address For 12 Hours

Doctors were called to Russian President Vladimir Putin's aid amid behind-the-scenes chaos as he prepared to issue his doomsday nuclear threats in a national broadcast, Kremlin rumors have claimed, Will Stewart reported for UK’s MailOnline.

Photo Insert: Russian President Vladimir addresses the nation.

The Russian tyrant allegedly suffered coughing fits and chest pains in the lead-up to his TV address, which was delayed for 13 hours, in which he ordered a “partial military mobilization” and warned he is “not bluffing” over nuclear weapons.

Putin bragged that Russia has 25 million military reservists but seeks to only deploy 300,000 to Ukraine, the Associated Press (AP) reported. In his speech, Putin announced that reservists, numbering 25 million, will be banned from fleeing Russia, in a move which deeply shocked many loyalist officials.

One account said: Putin was informed about the unrest in the elites and "quiet panic" in most of the establishment' over his mobilization move.

The General SVR Telegram channel, believed to be run by a former Kremlin insider which had predicted the mobilization move, said Putin's speech had to be re-recorded multiple times because of his ill health.

They also claimed that three key figures threatened to resign over the president's dramatic escalation, including the respected Elvira Nabiullina, the head of the Russian central bank who has kept the economy afloat amid Western sanctions. No less than 1,300 people were arrested for protesting the mobilization, with more than 100 nabbed in Moscow alone, Reuters also reported.

The Telegram channel said: Shutting himself down to write the text of the appeal, Putin lingered by the time the recording began. When the president came out and preparations for filming began, he began to cough frequently.

Several attempts to start recording an appeal were frustrated due to coughing. After the fourth unsuccessful attempt to record an appeal, doctors were called to the president, to whom Putin also complained of chest pains.

The doctors advised to postpone the shooting and leave with them for examination, which was done. There is an opinion of people from the president's inner circle that Putin feigned a health problem in order to reschedule filming and rethink his decision-making.

People close to the president know his pathological indecision and uncertainty in making decisions, especially key ones.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic