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VLADIMIR Putin might already be dead, Volodymyr Zelensky suggested today in a bizarre speech.

Ukraine's president also told world leaders he is not sure who makes decisions in the Kremlin following claims Putin's recent appearances have been faked using TV special effects.

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Rumours have been swirling for months about Vladimir Putin's healthCredit: Rex
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Volodymyr Zelensky speaking during the World Economic Forum in DavosCredit: Getty

Rumours have swirled for months about the 70-year-old Russian tyrant's failing health - fuelled by his bloated face and trembling legs.

Bombshell spy documents leaked to The Sun appeared to confirm he has pancreatic cancer and early-stage Parkinson's disease.

Ukraine previously suggested Russia is using body doubles to stand in for Putin - and earlier this month, the country's spy chief claimed he will "die very soon of cancer".

Now Ukrainian leader Zelensky has repeated previous claims Putin has used a "chroma key" green screen to fake meetings that he did not really attend.

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His comments to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, may have been intended as as flippant reference to his frustration at failed peace talks with Russia.

He said via video call: "I don't quite understand who to talk to and about what.

"I'm not sure that the Russian president - who sometimes appears against the chroma key - is really him.

"I don't quite understand if he is alive or whether he makes decisions, or who makes decisions there."

He added: "I just don't quite understand who we are dealing with."

Zelensky also heaped pressure on Western allies to give Kyiv more heavy weapons to fight Putin's troops.

The Kremlin hit back at the Ukrainian's comments about Putin - saying the tyrant "does and will exist".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "It is clear that both Russia and Putin are a big problem for Ukraine and for Zelensky.

"And it is clear that purely psychologically, Mr Zelensky would prefer that neither Russia nor Putin existed."

According to Pravda, he said Ukraine should "realise that Russia and Putin does and will exist".

Peskov also addressed speculation about Putin's absence from Russia's annual tradition of plunging into freezing waters to mark Orthodox Epiphany.

The Russian leader has previously joined the yearly dip - with the Kremlin releasing pictures of the occasion.

Yet no images of Putin taking part in the bone-chilling ritual have emerged this year - fuelling further rumours about his failing health.

But Peskov later said: "Today is Epiphany and the president took part in Epiphany bathing in the Moscow region.

"This time there are no photo or video materials, but we are informing you that he followed his tradition."

It comes days after a so-called Kremlin insider claimed Putin could lash out with more nuke threats as his cancer worsens.

Telegram channel General SVR - which claims to be fed information by a Kremlin insider - said Putin has become "withdrawn and laconic".

It also alleged the Russian president is suffering from "weakness, dizziness and lack of appetite" as he is "undergoing therapy with the use of drugs".

According to the reported insider, treatment is having a detrimental effect on his "psycho-emotional state" - which could prompt him to unleash more terrifying threats.

The General SVR previously claimed Putin's doctor had noted a "significant deterioration" in his health.

The channel bases its claims on having sources in Putin’s entourage without offering more proof.

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A senior spy official from Denmark also claimed Putin is suffering from megalomania caused by cancer drugs.

Just last week, the tyrant appeared in pain as he repeatedly rubbed his hand while blasting his deputy prime minister over Russia's humiliation in Ukraine.

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Putin meets with workers at a steel plant in St Petersburg on WednesdayCredit: Getty
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Putin also attended a wreath laying ceremony marking the anniversary of the Siege of Leningrad on WednesdayCredit: Getty
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Zelensky spoke to world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos via video linkCredit: Alamy
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People jump into freezing lakes and rivers to mark Orthodox EpiphanyCredit: Reuters
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A woman bathes in freezing water during a traditional Epiphany celebrationCredit: AP
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