Russian President Vladimir Putin’s right hand appeared swollen and sore during a recent press event, reigniting a firestorm on the internet about his health.
The images from the event where Putin addressed a crowd of supporters on a basketball court sparked speculations with many eagle-eyed viewers claiming that the Russian President is suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
For context, Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement, causing symptoms like tremor, stiffness, slowness of movement, and postural instability.
Putin’s hand has long been a subject of health rumours and latest pictures show swollen right hand covered in bulging veins.
The rumours about the 73-year-old Russian president’s health first surfaced during the first year of war against Ukraine, when a black spot was seen on his right hand during a military visit.
Former advisor to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry, Anton Gerashchenko, claimed: “There is something wrong with Putin’s hand”.
Putin is not the only world leader whose hand sparked health concerns as previously the United States President’s hand also faced scrutiny over dark bruises.
The Kremlin has never commented on Putin’s health, reports New York Post.
However, White House Press Secretary Karline Leavitt quickly dismissed rumours regarding Trump’s health, stating, “Bruising was caused due to the president's frequent handshaking.”
The news regarding the Russian President’s health comes after a hot mic moment caught him and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing immortality while attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China.