Yeltsin, 62, is in hospital with a condition technically known as ischemia, which restricts the supply of blood to the heart. Symptoms include breathing difficulties and chest pains. When a similar condition laid him out for two weeks four months ago, the government claimed it was a ‘routine’ check-up. It took days of media speculation before news of his ‘actual’ condition was released. Later, a photograph showing the president diligently clearing files from the hospital bed was released. The picture, unfortunately, turned out be one taken long before he was admitted to hospital.