Putin's Public Appearance Reignites Health Debate
The physical appearance of Russian President Vladimir Putin during a recent meeting has sparked renewed and intense speculation regarding his health. Observers noted significant changes to the 73-year-old leader's hands, which he held in an unusually clenched position.
Details of the Concerning Physical Signs
During an encounter with the chair of a Russian youth sports programme, viewers were quick to spot what they described as 'bulging veins' and a 'swollen' look on Putin's fists. The skin on his hands also appeared markedly more wrinkled and discoloured compared to the skin on other parts of his body, a detail that did not go unnoticed.
Footage from the event quickly circulated on social media, with many users suggesting the symptoms could point to an underlying neurological condition such as Parkinson's disease. Ukrainian TV host Dmytro Gordon commented on the appearance, stating, 'Putin clenches his hands into something resembling fists. They look swollen and sore, with veins bulging prominently on one hand.'
Adding to the commentary, former Ukrainian interior ministry adviser Anton Gerashchenko posted on social media, 'There's something wrong with Putin's hands.' In a pointed remark referencing the war in Ukraine, he added, 'Apart from the fact that they're covered in blood up to the elbows, his veins are bulging too.' Some online commentators observed that the state of his hands looked 'extremely painful', though others argued it could simply be a normal part of the ageing process.
A Pattern of Incidents and Official Denials
This is not the first time questions have been raised about the Russian president's wellbeing. Over the past year, he has been seen wobbling or swaying during public events and has been observed gripping onto objects to steady himself. A significant incident occurred during a televised podium speech in Astana, Kazakhstan, where his legs began to jerk around involuntarily.
These episodes have led medical professionals in the West to theorise that Putin could be suffering from a number of ailments, though there is no unanimous agreement on a specific diagnosis. The Kremlin has consistently dismissed any suggestion that their leader is in anything less than perfect health, labelling such claims as 'hoaxes'.
Beyond physical health, some analysts point to potential mental deterioration. Andrey Pertsev, a special correspondent with the Russian anti-war investigative group Meduza, has argued that Putin's public appearances in recent months have regularly featured strange and sometimes inappropriate pronouncements. Pertsev wrote in August, 'He tries to make jokes, indulges in reminiscing and embarks on long, entirely unnecessary historical digressions.' One noted gaffe saw Putin pause an address on global warming to tell an anecdote about drinking sake and a discussion on the quality of Japanese sperm.
Pertsev is among commentators who believe Putin 'clearly undergoes regular plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures', adding another layer to the ongoing speculation about the true state of the long-serving leader's health.
