Kathrine Frich
For as long as there have been powerful rulers, the public has watched their health as a reflection of strength and stability.
When a leader appears weakened, speculation often spreads far beyond their borders.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin now finds himself under renewed scrutiny after new photographs showed his hands appearing swollen and veined.
Speculation over appearance
The images, which circulated widely online, led to new debate about the 73-year-old leader’s condition.
Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Gordon said Putin “clenches his hands into something resembling fists” and that they looked “swollen and sore.”
Security analyst Anton Gerashchenko also commented that “there’s something wrong with Putin’s hands,” though he added that such changes could be signs of normal aging.
The Kremlin has issued no statement in response to the speculation.
Observers have long noted that Putin’s physical appearance often becomes a subject of public interest.
He has been rumored to undergo cosmetic treatments to reduce visible signs of aging, though none of these reports have been confirmed.
Online reactions
The latest pictures were reportedly taken during a meeting with Yekaterina Leshchinskaya, a 22-year-old campaigner leading an initiative to ban vaping in Russia.
Photos from the event spread rapidly across social media, where users questioned whether the Russian president might be experiencing health problems or simply fatigue.
Commentators on Russian and Ukrainian channels discussed the images, while others dismissed the speculation as exaggerated.
The debate comes as Putin continues to project an image of strength through highly choreographed public appearances.
Echoes of past remarks
Two months earlier, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed advances in biotechnology and life extension during a bilateral meeting.
At the time, Putin remarked, “The longer you live, the younger you become,” while Xi replied that at seventy “you are still a child.”
Analysts noted that the exchange reflected both leaders’ interest in longevity and their efforts to present themselves as vigorous despite age.
Sources: Express, Kyiv Post, Nexta Channel, Reuters archive material.
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, who may have used AI in the preparation
