Kathrine Frich
Putin didn’t take kindly to the suggestion.
Putin didn’t take kindly to the suggestion.
Suggested He Needs Glasses
Vladimir Putin lashed out at an eminent eye surgeon who dared suggest the Russian president might need glasses, rejecting the claim with a curt:
“It works!” even though he’s often seen squinting at giant-print scripts during public events.
“Even the Best Car Needs Inspection”
At a lavish ceremony honouring “Heroes of Labour,” ophthalmologist Dr. Georgy Stolyarenko diplomatically nudged the 72-year-old leader, saying, “Even the best car needs a technical inspection.”
Putin didn’t take kindly to the metaphor.
Putin’s Excuse for Not Wearing Them
Putin admitted he tried prescription glasses five or six years ago, but ditched them immediately after feeling “dizzy.”
He claimed his vision is “somewhere between 0.9 and 0.8,” implying it’s still within good range.
Large Fonts and Covered Pages
Despite his denials, Putin is frequently spotted reading from oversized briefing notes.
Kremlin handlers reportedly go to great lengths to obscure the visible large print, though not always successfully.
“I Pass Inspection Every Year”
In a defensive tone, Putin told attendees he undergoes annual checkups and dedicates “two afternoons” a year to health screenings.
Still, observers point to the contrast between these claims and his heavily managed public appearances.
Putin Travels with a Mini Army of Doctors
A 2022 investigation by independent outlet Proekt revealed that Putin is often accompanied by a medical team of up to nine doctors.
This includes oncologists and ear, nose, and throat specialists, that accompany him on both domestic and international trips.
Hidden Hospital Wings in Putin’s Private Palaces
Reports say Putin’s residences, including the opulent Valdai estate and cliffside Gelendzhik palace, feature private hospital facilities to ensure instant medical care, reinforcing speculation about his true health status.
Deer Antler Therapy for Vitality
Sources claim Putin favours Siberian “alternative treatments,” including bathing in deer blood extracted from antlers.
This is an alleged tradition believed to enhance strength, virility, and youth, though widely dismissed as pseudoscience.
Putin Health Rumours Refuse to Die
Conspiracy theories about Putin’s health reached fever pitch in 2023 when Telegram channel “General SVR” claimed he died and had been replaced by a body double.
The Kremlin publicly denied the bizarre claim, calling it “nonsense.”
Signs the Real Putin May Be Slowing Down
Once fond of high-profile stunts like Epiphany ice dips, Putin has reportedly stopped performing such feats in recent years.
Some reports even suggest that stand-ins may now appear in his place during certain regional visits.
