Speculation surrounds Vladimir Putin’s health as the Kremlin rushed out a statement denying any problems.
It comes after the Russian dictator was admitted to undergo regular examinations at a top Moscow hospital.
Putin, 72, was speaking on television alongside his health minister Mikhail Murashko, aimed at encouraging people to have flu jabs.
“Doctors at the Central Clinical Hospital, where I undergo all sorts of regular examinations, also recommend getting vaccinated with domestically produced drugs,” said Putin.
This comment led to rumours about the president’s medical conditions, which his aides acted upon quickly to minimise.
His spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “He meant routine medical examinations.”
Russian news agency TASS later reported Putin “has no health problems”, emphasising his visits to the hospital known as the Kremlin Clinic were for basic check-ups.
Separately in another televised session on Wednesday 16, reports were fuelled when Putin appeared to be itching his face following rumours of undergoing repeated botox treatments.
The Russian leader’s health has been the subject of intense speculation for several years, particularly during the pandemic where COVID-19 rampantly spread across the world. He took extraordinary measures to keep safe against the virus, with officials routinely quarantining for two weeks or longer prior to seeing him.
This period also saw the infamous long-table where no one was allowed to sit close to the president.
There were numerous reports of him repeatedly coughing with his hands and feet making seemingly involuntary movements. On several occasions, he was also seen walking with a limp.
Leaked reports have suggested he regularly travelled with a cancer surgeon. Observers also noted lengthy and unaccounted-for absences from the public eye, with pre-recorded meetings broadcast to give the impression Putin was actively working.
The Kremlin has also in the past been forced to deny claims that Putin had died, being replaced by a younger and fitter body double. The rumour was reported by the Telegram channel General SVR and a Russian political analyst Dr Valery Solovey almost a year ago.
However, in recent months his health appears to be increasingly stronger as he undertakes a multitude of official engagements, travelling far more than he did several years ago.
Putin has long had an interest in anti-ageing, but new reports show there appears to be a new urgency to seek “active longevity”.
Last month it was revealed that Russian scientists had been ordered to hand over details of their latest research in fighting ageing in a suspected bid to rejuvenate Putin.