Realistically we should be skeptical of anything being published in Reuters, but there are explanations for how embarrassing gossip can leak to the press. Leaks can come from disgruntled employees who are trying to embarrass their superiors, competing factions within the state looking to weaken their rivals, and even the occasional attack of good conscience that government workers can sometimes suffer when the contradictions are high enough.

But, ultimately, we don't really know what's going on. Hope for the best, assume the worst, etc etc.