Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly been struck down by a "sharp sickness" and required "urgent medical assistance" this week.
Putin allegedly felt a "sharp sickness, weakness and dizziness", while getting up from his desk following a 90-minute virtual session talking to military chiefs, according to the General SVR channel on messaging app Telegram, which is said to be run by someone with inside knowledge of the Kremlin.
The Russian President has been advised by doctors not to make any "lengthy" public appearances following the mystery illness.
According to the General SVR channel, the sudden illness is the reason why Putin's annual 'Direct Line' live broadcast has been postponed.
The 'Direct Line' - which would see Putin take questions from Russian citizens - was scheduled for late June or early July but it's now not clear if it'll happen at all.
"The postponement of the live [Direct Line] with the President indefinitely is due to the unstable health of Vladimir Putin," General SVR said.
"A week ago, the President was preparing to answer the questions of the Russian citizens in late June-early July. But his doctors advised him not to make any lengthy public appearances in the near future."
Despite the claims, Putin made a rare public appearance in Moscow on Thursday (local time) at an event marking the 350th anniversary of the birth of Peter the Great and a meeting at the same venue with young entrepreneurs, engineers and scientists.
At the meeting with young entrepreneurs, engineers and scientists, he was asked: "So will we live better in 10 years' time?"
He replied: "Yes, in the end, this… will lead to a better life quality."
The latest claims come after recent speculation Putin's health has been declining, with footage showing him shaking uncontrollably - sparking Parkinson's rumours.
There have also been reports he underwent surgery to remove fluid from his abdomen, while rumours also circulated he has abdominal cancer.
