Unconfirmed reports about Vladimir Putin's health continue to circulate, with speculation ranging from cancer and Parkinson's disease to claims that he has survived a coup attempt or been replaced by a body double. However, analysts caution that such rumours may be driven by wishful thinking among critics of the Russian leader.
Video footage of Putin meeting top aides has been scrutinised for signs of illness. In late April, observers noted him gripping a table during a meeting with defence minister Sergei Shoigu, while former foreign secretary Lord Owen claimed in March that Putin's puffy face indicated steroid use. Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, denied the speculation in an interview on Sunday, stating that Putin appears in public daily and that 'sane people' would not see signs of poor health.
Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov claimed last week that Putin has several serious illnesses, including cancer, and that he survived a recent coup attempt by individuals from the Caucasus region. Budanov added that a coup 'will eventually lead to the change of leadership of the Russian Federation'. These claims have not been independently verified.
Other reports, including one from the investigative website Proekt, suggest Putin may have thyroid cancer, based on leaked travel documents showing regular visits from an oncologist and otolaryngologists. The Kremlin has dismissed such reports as 'fabrication and untruth', insisting that Putin is in excellent health. Rumours about Putin's health have persisted for over two decades, partly due to the Kremlin's tight control over information about his health and whereabouts.
