Could Vladimir Putin have been targeted by an assassination attempt? This is what the head of the Ukrainian intelligence services, Kyrylo Budanov, said on Monday. According to him, the “failed attempt” would have taken place in the Caucasus, a region located in the extreme south-east of Europe and western Asia.
“It was not public information.“, he declared in an interview given to the media “Pravda” of Ukraine. “The assassination attempt failed, but it really happened. It was regarding two months ago.”
“Vladimir Putin will emerge from this war more loser than winner”
The full interview is due to air in full this Tuesday, May 24.
Besides the failed assassination attempt, the health of the Russian leader has been the subject of debate in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Kyrylo Budanov said Vladimir Putin was “seriously ill”. Rumors regarding his health are also circulating. Recently, the Russian head of state was recorded vomiting in the middle of a meeting with Sergey Chemezov.
Who will replace him ?
If Vladimir Putin were to die, it would be Mikhail Mishustin who would take control of the Russian state, Prime Minister of the country since January 2020. He would be the one who would take control of the Russian government if Putin died or was incapacitated for 90 days or until an election is held to replace him. This 56-year-old man would be considered “bland” and “without power or great ambitions”, report several media. This is why another name is circulating, that of Nikolai Patrushev, current secretary of the Russian Security Council since 2008.
