Russian minister pet Putin has not been seen in public for ten days . Speculation of a government coup and even sudden death has been rife . Sources say he is holed up in a retreat after coming down with flu . In a pre - recorded interview due to air tonight he talks of Crimea conflict . In it he says that Russia was ready to put nuclear weapons on alert . reportedly amid rumours that he has fathered a child with 31-year - old ' baby '
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not been seen in public for ten days . Speculation of a government coup and even sudden death has been rife . Sources say he is holed up in country retreat after coming down with flu . In a pre-recorded interview due to air tonight he talks of Crimea conflict . In it he admits that Russia was ready to put nuclear weapons on alert . Comes amid rumours that he has fathered a child with 31-year-old 'lover '