Vlad dodged Ukrainian assassination bid

Russian President Vladimir Putin survived an assassination attempt two months ago, a top Ukrainian military official said Monday.

Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, said an “unsuccessful attempt” on the Russian strongman’s life occurred in the Caucasus shortly after Russia invaded the nation on Feb. 24, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

“There was an attempt to assassinate Putin,” Budanov told the outlet. “He was even attacked, it is said, by representatives of the Caucasus,

not so long ago.”

The Caucasus is a region between the Black and Caspian seas comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and parts of southern Russia.

Budanov said the “absolutely unsuccessful” assassination attempt took place in an unspecific region about two months ago.

“I repeat, this attempt was unsuccessful,” Budanov continued. “There was no publicity about this event, but it took place.”

The interview with Budanov will be aired in full Tuesday, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

An oligarch close to the Kremlin has reportedly said Putin (inset) is “very ill with blood cancer” during an 11minute recording obtained by New Lines Magazine.

Budanov told Sky News earlier this month he was “optimistic” about turning the tide against Russia by mid-August, leading to Putin being removed from power by the end of the year in a Kremlin coup.

“It will eventually lead to the change of leadership of the Russian Federation,” Budanov said. “

The claim, which could not immediately be independently verified, comes amid reports that Putin, 69, has recently undergone surgery to remove fluid from his abdomen

as his health purportedly declines.