Russian Regime Change: Putin’s Inner Circle Reportedly Chooses Successor in Advance of Leader’s ‘Imminent’ Death

The health of Russian President Vladimir Putin is rumored to be in decline, and now sources claim the dictator's confidants have selected his successor.

As Front Page Detectives previously reported, the deteriorating health of the Russian leader has been a major concern, and he is believed to possibly be suffering from advanced cancer or Parkinson's disease.

Putin has also reportedly used doppelgangers amid concern his death is “imminent," according to a new report.

According to the Daily Star, the General SVR Telegram channel alleges that Putin’s closest allies are plotting to use these doppelgangers to “continue the regime” after Putin’s death.

"There is a general understanding that for some time it has been possible to use a double of the president after the death or removal from power of the real Vladimir Putin," the General SVR channel said. "Almost all interested parties are ready to rally around a double who can be controlled; the only problem is who will control the double, and this requires mutual trust, which simply does not exist."

The “inner circle” for Putin is reportedly working to come up with a plan for the “continuation of the Putin regime after Putin,” the Daily Star reported.

Sources claim Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev could become the new leader.

However, the Russian constitution states Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin would temporarily take control if Putin dies while holding office, officials said.

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Putin reportedly prefers Mishustin as a potential successor, according to General SRV. However, he hasn’t talked about his own death and he hasn’t mentioned what he wants to happen if and when it occurs.

General SRV added, "Putin himself refused to leave any instructions or covenants on what to do after him, preferring to withdraw into himself, and perhaps deciding that the chaos after him is the best legacy.”

Putin recently turned 71.