MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin may undergo surgery as part of cancer treatment, claimed a report by a US daily.

However, the report has not been officially verified. Putin has been reportedly told by doctors to undergo a surgery. The media has cited aTelegram channel, purportedly run by a former Russian Foreign Intelligence Service lieutenant general, as the basis for the report. It is expected that Putin will undergo surgery by temporarily handing over power to the secretary of the country's Security Council Nikolai Patrushev.

According to the report, the anticipated surgery and recovery are expected to incapacitate Putin for a short time. Recently, unnatural changes were observed in Putin’s appearance and behaviour. This had led to rumours that he was suffering from serious health issues such as cancer and Parkinson’s disease. Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that the media report could not be confirmed. "I have seen nothing that could help us corroborate that”, he said.

The report also states that Putin has had a two-hour conversation with Nikolai Patrushev, a few days ago. “Additionally, the president promised that if his health takes a turn for the worse, actual control of the country will temporarily pass into Patrushev's hands”, said the report.