Rumours regarding Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s health have surfaced, yet again, after his comments made during live TV broadcast went viral on social media. The Kremlin later had to issue a denial, brushing off concerns about the health of the 72-year-old leader.
What did Putin say?
Putin on Thursday (Oct 17) appeared on TV alongside health minister Mikhail Murashko, where the duo encouraged people to get flu vaccinations.
Putin casually talked about how he was undergoing “regular examination” at a Moscow hospital. However, his remark triggered speculation frenzy on social media, with people raising questions over Putin’s well-being.
“Doctors at the Central Clinical Hospital, where I undergo all sorts of regular examinations, also recommend getting vaccinated with domestically produced drugs,” said the Russian leader.
Kremlin issues denial
After the rumour went viral on social media, the Kremlin had to come to Putin’s rescue. In a statement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the Russian leader was referring to routine check-ups and was not facing any serious illness.
“He meant routine medical examinations,” Peskov said.
State news agency TASS was deployed to insist that Putin ‘has no health problems’ as it emphasised his visits to a hospital known as the Kremlin Clinic were for normal check-ups.
Rumours over Putin’s health
Putin’s health remains a subject of intense rumours and speculations in Ukrainian and Western media.
In 2022, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence Major General Kyrylo Budanov claimed that Putin was using body doubles due to serious illness.
He even pointed out alleged variations in Putin’s public appearances.
Earlier this year, Andriy Yusov, another Ukrainian intelligence official, claimed that Putin’s visit to occupied Ukrainian regions was staged with doubles.
“Putin uses doubles,” Yusov reportedly told Ukrainian media.
However, all these speculations about Putin’s health remain unproven to date, with Kremlin issuing denials time-to-time of such media and intelligence reports.
(With inputs from agencies)