Is Putin hiding a major health problem? Russian President’s swollen and sore hand sparks renewed global speculation about his health

Videos and images of Russian President Vladimir Putin circulating on social media displaying a “swollen and sore” hand with prominent bulging veins during a recent public appearance have reignited speculation about the 73-year-old leader’s health.

According to New York Post website, the Russian president was observed clenching his right hand tightly in apparent discomfort while addressing a crowd of loyalists on a basketball court. Over the years, Putin’s hands have been a focal point of health rumors, ranging from Parkinson’s disease to cancer.

Putin’s health has attracted additional attention after a leaked conversation with China’s President Xi Jinping, in which the Russian leader discussed potential pathways to longevity through organ transplants and biotechnology.





According to Anton Gerashchenko, a former adviser to the Ukrainian interior ministry, “There’s something wrong with Putin’s hands.”

“Apart from the fact that they’re covered in blood up to the elbows, his veins are bulging too,” he added.

Media personality Dmytro Gordon also weighed in, describing the Russian leader’s hand as “swollen and sore, with veins bulging prominently on one hand.”

Many online observers have drawn attention to previous images of Putin’s hands, noting black spots, IV marks, and occasional twitching while holding tables, signs that some interpret as evidence of serious illness.

The Kremlin has consistently dismissed any speculation regarding Putin’s health, refusing to comment on reports circulating in international media.

Putin is not the first world leader to face scrutiny over visible bruising or hand anomalies. Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump was photographed with dark hand bruises, prompting speculation about his health. The White House quickly clarified that the marks were the result of frequent handshaking.