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Concerns about Vladimir Putin’s health have resurfaced following a bold declaration by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who asserted the Russian leader “will die soon.” Zelensky’s pronouncements have amplified existing speculation surrounding Putin’s condition, as rumors of ill health have trailed the 72-year-old leader for years.
Speculation Surrounds Putin’s Health
Zelensky’s Claim
While offering no concrete evidence, Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent statement that Vladimir Putin’s death is imminent adds fuel to the long-standing discourse on the Russian president’s health. This pronouncement should be viewed within the context of ongoing conjecture about Putin’s well-being.
Physical Appearance and Conjecture
Putin’s physical condition has increasingly become a topic of public discussion. Earlier this year, images depicting him with reddened eyes and an unexplained bruise sparked heightened curiosity and conjecture about his deteriorating health.
Neck Scar Theories
Intriguing photographs from recent years have also brought attention to a noticeable scar on Putin’s neck, igniting theories suggesting he may have undergone surgery, potentially for thyroid cancer.
Reports and Allegations of Medical Issues
Cancer Specialist and Chemotherapy Rumors
At the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, numerous reports circulated alleging that Putin was consistently accompanied by a cancer specialist. Furthermore, a purported leak from US intelligence sources appeared to lend credence to claims that he was receiving chemotherapy treatments.
Observable Physical Indicators
Instances of apparent instability, such as buckling legs, and video clips showing him tightly gripping tables or tapping his foot, have been cited as additional signs of potential health issues.
Parkinson’s Disease Speculation
Multiple experts have posited that Putin might be afflicted with Parkinson’s disease. This theory was bolstered by remarks from a former British intelligence chief, who stated that his contacts indicated a ‘fundamentally wrong’ medical condition affecting the Russian head of state.
Kremlin’s Denial of Incontinence Claims
In 2022, the Kremlin faced the need to refute rumors that Putin had soiled himself after a fall down stairs. Reports suggested involuntary defecation, allegedly linked to ‘cancer affecting his stomach and bowels.’
Official Denials and Public Image
Moscow’s Stance
Moscow has consistently asserted that its leader is healthy and in good shape. Despite visible signs of aging and episodes of appearing unwell, Putin has persisted in efforts to project an image of robust strength and power.
Strange footage shows Vladimir Putin’s legs twitching uncontrollably at a public event in November amid rumours he has Parkinson’s disease
It is not known why the 72-year-old Russian leader has this bruise, but he is believed to have long been in ailing health
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a candle during an Orthodox Easter service at the Christ the Saviour cathedral in Moscow early on April 16, 2023. A prominent ‘scar’ is seen on his neck
Rumours have been circling for years that Putin (pictured gripping table during a meeting last month) has health problems, and they have intensified since he launched invasion of Ukraine
Hospital Visits and Subsequent Clarifications
In October, Moscow issued a swift denial of Putin’s health problems after he acknowledged undergoing regular examinations at a prominent Moscow hospital.
During a televised discussion with Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, ostensibly aimed at promoting flu vaccinations, Putin stated, ‘Doctors at the Central Clinical Hospital, where I undergo all sorts of regular examinations, also recommend getting vaccinated with domestically produced drugs.’
This statement immediately triggered speculation about the leader’s medical condition, prompting a rapid response from his aides to downplay any concerns.
State news agency TASS insisted that Putin ‘has no health problems,’ emphasizing that his visits to the hospital, known as the Kremlin Clinic, were for routine check-ups.
His spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, clarified that Putin was referring to ‘routine medical examinations.’
November Public Event Incident
However, in November, perplexing video footage emerged showing Putin’s legs twitching uncontrollably during a public appearance, further fueling Parkinson’s disease rumors.
During an hour-long speech in Astana, Kazakhstan, he appeared to struggle to control his movements.
The clip indicates that the twitching began in his left foot before affecting both legs and feet.
Putin then adopted a wider stance but continued to sway back onto his heels and shift his legs.
A bloated Vladimir Putin has been seen gripping a table whilst slouching in his chair during a televised meeting with his then-defence minister Sergei Shoigu in 2022
Expert Opinions and Intelligence Leaks
Sir Richard Dearlove’s Parkinson’s Claim
Last year, Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of MI6, the British Secret Intelligence Service, suggested that Putin ‘probably’ suffers from Parkinson’s disease.
Sir Richard, who led MI6 when Putin initially assumed power in 2000, informed LBC that his contacts believe the Russian President has the condition, which can significantly reduce life expectancy.
The former intelligence chief also proposed that paranoia, a potential symptom of Parkinson’s, might have contributed to Putin’s decision to eliminate opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
He explained that Parkinson’s ‘of course has different representations, different variations, different seriousness,’ but added, ‘If the man is paranoid – and I think the murder of Navalny might suggest a certain paranoia – that is one of the symptoms.’
Vladimir Putin (pictured) seen calling a 15-year-old girl from Ukraine’s Donetsk region called Arina Porkhal as part of the New Year Tree of Wishes nationwide charity campaign in January
Putin was seen with red eyes during a phone call in January and appeared to be wearing makeup
FSB Officer’s Terminal Illness Claim
In May 2022, leaked communications attributed to an FSB officer indicated that the Russian president had ‘no more than two to three years’ remaining to live.
This assertion, reportedly part of a confidential message from a Russian agent to Boris Karpichkov, a former FSB agent in exile, suggested Putin was battling a ‘severe form of rapidly progressing cancer’ and experiencing deteriorating eyesight.
The message further claimed Putin was refusing to wear glasses, fearing it would project weakness, and was reacting to subordinates with ‘uncontrolled fury.’
Ukrainian Intelligence Assessment
Subsequently, in June of that year, Ukrainian intelligence chief Major General Kyrylo Budanov stated that Kyiv’s intelligence operatives within the Kremlin had determined that the dictator was suffering from multiple ‘grave’ illnesses.
Budanov asserted, ‘Putin doesn’t have a long life ahead of him,’ estimating his remaining lifespan to be at most two more years.
These pronouncements coincided with an episode where the president was observed slouching in his chair, gripping a table, and slurring his speech during a meeting with then-Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Pandemic Precautions and Health Focus
Stringent Security Measures
Putin’s health became particularly prominent during the pandemic, marked by extraordinary security protocols. Officials were routinely subjected to quarantine periods of two weeks or longer before being permitted to meet with him.
The Kremlin was forced to deny Vladimir Putin, 72, has health issues after he said he undergoes ‘all sorts of regular examinations’ at Moscow’s elite Central Clinical Hospital
The Long Table and Isolation
This period also saw the introduction of his now-infamous long table, ostensibly employed to maintain extreme distance from guests.
Other Reported Symptoms
Reports emerged detailing incidents of incessant coughing, seemingly involuntary jerky movements of his hands and feet, and instances where he appeared to walk with a limp.
Absences and Pre-recorded Meetings
Leaks indicated the regular presence of a cancer surgeon during his travels. Observers also noted extended, unexplained absences from public view, with ‘canned’—pre-recorded—meetings broadcast to create the illusion of ongoing active work.
Cardiac Arrest Allegation
Last October, the General SVR Telegram channel, which frequently alleges Putin is terminally ill with cancer, claimed he had suffered a ‘cardiac arrest.’
Vladimir Putin was caught on camera repeatedly itching his face on a visit to Ufa’s new fencing center
The channel asserted that all recent public appearances by the Russian leader, including foreign visits, were performed by body doubles.
It further claimed that doctors successfully resuscitated Putin and transferred him to an intensive care facility at his official residence.
‘Doctors performed resuscitation, having previously determined that the president was in cardiac arrest,’ the channel reported. ‘Help was provided on time, the heart was started and Putin regained consciousness.’
Kremlin’s Rebuttal
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed these claims, stating, ‘Everything is fine with him, this is absolutely another fake [rumor].’
‘These [kinds of stories] belong to the category of fake news, discussed with enviable tenacity by a number of media outlets. This brings nothing but a smile [in the Kremlin].’
Cosmetic Procedures and Appearance
Botox Rumors
Beyond allegations of serious illness, Putin is also rumored to have undergone repeated botox treatments in an effort to maintain a youthful appearance. He has been observed apparently itching his face in discomfort on several occasions, potentially linked to such procedures.