Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko missed a major state celebration as speculation mounts about his health.
Alexander Lukashenko missed a state event in Belarus
It has been claimed that Vladimir Putin's close ally "faces paralysis without back surgery in the West" and he was absent from the annual National Flag, Emblem and Anthem Day on Sunday (14.05.23).
Lukashenko usually speaks publicly at the celebration but his prime minister Roman Golovchenko read the message on his behalf at the event in Minsk.
The tyrant had been hobbling at Russia's annual Victory Parade in Moscow last week and appeared to ask Putin and his security team to provide transport to save him from walking during the parade.
It has been claimed that Lukashenko needs surgery in the West but is unable to travel for the procedure because of sanctions placed on him for his support of Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
Nobody from Lukashenko's office has commented publicly on the leader's health and the Belarusian people have not been informed of the president's condition.
Russian Telegram channels have suggested that Lukashenko is ill with a long-running but unspecified condition that requires surgery.
The Brief channel stated: "The Belarus leader is in the hospital, he is being prepared for an operation - and maybe the operation has already been performed."