Fresh questions have emerged over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s health after recent photographs and videos showed his hands appearing swollen and veiny during a meeting at the Kremlin. The 73-year-old leader, long known for projecting an image of physical strength, has faced recurring speculation about his condition in recent years, though the Kremlin continues to deny any reports of illness.

What sparked the latest rumors about Putin’s health?

Images distributed by Russia’s state-run Sputnik news agency showed Putin attending a meeting with the CEO of Sberbank, Russia’s largest lender, on November 10, 2025. In the photos, his hands appeared bloated with visible veins, prompting social media users and observers to question whether the president might be suffering from a medical condition.

A video clip, circulated by pro-Ukrainian outlet Nexta, showed Putin standing beside a basketball hoop with what appeared to be clenched and trembling hands. His right hand, in particular, looked tense and discolored. Nexta posted the footage with the caption: “Social media users are puzzled by what happened to the hands of the Russian dictator, they look extremely painful.”

Anton Gerashchenko, a former Ukrainian deputy interior minister, also shared the video on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “What’s with Putin’s hands in this video?” The posts quickly gained traction online, adding fuel to long-running theories about Putin’s health.

What has the Kremlin said about Putin’s health?

The Kremlin has consistently dismissed rumors about Putin’s deteriorating health as “nonsense.” Officials have described the Russian leader as being in excellent physical condition, often emphasizing his athletic hobbies such as judo, ice hockey, and horseback riding as proof of vitality.

In response to previous claims of illness, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the state news agency Tass that Putin undergoes “regular medical check-ups” and that reports suggesting otherwise are “fabricated.”

Despite these denials, observers continue to scrutinize his public appearances. Instances such as Putin gripping tables tightly, sitting rigidly for extended periods, or disappearing from public view for days have added to the speculation.

Previous reports linking Putin to Parkinson’s or cancer

Health rumours about Vladimir Putin first began circulating in 2020 and have resurfaced periodically since. In 2024, former British MP and author Louise Mensch claimed that Putin was suffering from Parkinson’s disease, citing unnamed sources who allegedly knew about his condition. Mensch also suggested that the disease was “progressing rapidly” and that Putin required frequent medical consultations.

While these claims remain unverified, they echoed earlier reports alleging that the Russian president was receiving treatment for cancer, reports the Kremlin also denied.

In October 2024, Putin reportedly disappeared from public events for about two weeks, with speculation mounting about his health status. Officials later said he had undergone “routine medical examinations” at Moscow Central Clinical Hospital.

Why Putin’s image of strength matters politically

For over two decades, Putin has carefully cultivated an image of stamina and toughness, a leader seen fishing shirtless, flying fighter jets, and practicing judo. This cultivated image has been central to his domestic and international persona, reinforcing his narrative as a strongman capable of steering Russia through conflict and crisis.

Any sign of frailty or illness, analysts say, could undermine that image at a time when the Kremlin faces both internal political challenges and prolonged military engagement in Ukraine. The renewed wave of online speculation, while unverified, illustrates how closely the Russian leader’s physical condition is tied to perceptions of his power and control.

Why unverified health claims persist

In authoritarian systems where state secrecy is the norm, leaders’ health often becomes a matter of speculation. Russia’s limited transparency and controlled media environment make it difficult to confirm or refute such claims.

Experts note that the absence of reliable information fuels the spread of conjecture, especially on social media platforms where visual evidence, such as close-up images of Putin’s hands, can easily go viral and shape narratives regardless of verification.

For now, no official medical report or credible independent confirmation supports claims that Putin suffers from any chronic illness. However, the recurring nature of these rumors indicates that questions about his health and their political implications are unlikely to fade soon.

TL;DR

• Vladimir Putin’s recent photos show swollen, veiny hands, prompting fresh speculation about his health.
• A viral video shared by Ukrainian sources shows him trembling and appearing in pain.
• The Kremlin insists Putin remains healthy and dismisses all reports of illness as unfounded.
• Rumors of Parkinson’s and cancer have circulated for years but remain unverified.
• Analysts say Putin’s image of vitality is crucial to his leadership image.