Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrates his 74th birthday today (Wednesday, October 7) but his last few years have been beset by rumours of health issues. The dictator has faced claims he was suffering from a "severe and rapidly progressing cancer". Putin has also faced accusations he is suffering from Parkinson's disease or other neurological issues while his public appearances have brought cause for concern.
Recently one commentator said Putin's rambling speech suggested he was going "senile" and "was not with it". The Kremlin has denied rumours surrounding the president's health, but videos showing his swollen appearance and images seeming to show "IV track marks" have done little to quell the chatter.
Rambling speech and 'grandpa' comments
The dictator sparked fresh health fears when he delivered a rambling speech in front of Russian journalists. The Daily Beast's Allison Quinn spent almost a decade in Moscow and Kyiv reporting on the region, and came to a worrying conclusion. She accused him of being "senile" and "not with it."
Putin's stuttering speech before the Russian media was evidence, according to Russian expert Allison Quinn, that he "knows he's screwed" if Russia doesn't win the Ukraine war. She also accused him of sounding like "someone's grandpa".
Physical signs and public incidents
Putin sparked health fears as early as four years ago when he tightly gripped a table during a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. It happened shortly after the invasion of Ukraine, with some putting it down to his deteriorating health. One comment suggests "that the rumours of his heart attack are likely".
The dictator appears bloated, with this image taken as recently as yesterday (October 6). Commentators put his swollen appearance down to side effects from medication, cosmetic procedures like Botox or natural ageing.
As well his swollen face, onlookers have picked up on his swollen hands. This worrying picture, taken just under a year ago, sparked a fresh tranche of rumours. He was seen trembling in pain and his hands appeared to be covered in bulging veins, with some putting it down to injections for unspecific health issues.
Putin was seen to grimace during a wreath laying ceremony in Russia last year. His hands once again appeared swollen which only reinforced suggestions his health is deteriorating.
Putin appeared to shake during a meeting with ally Alexander Lukashenko back in 2022. He has been dogged by rumours he is suffering from Parkinson's for years. Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of M16, previously suggested Putin could be suffering from the degenerative condition.
Mini stroke and coughing fit claims
Among the rumours surrounding the dictator is that he "suffered a mini stroke". His former speechwriter Abbas Gallyamov, told the Daily Express in 2025 that Putin "definitely has some problems", potentially even having had a mini-stroke. He said: "Journalists are writing about cancer, but what we saw back in 2022 looked more like the consequences of a mini-stroke."
Putin sparked fresh health fears with a prolonged public "coughing fit" earlier this year. During a speech, the politician clutched his throat and coughed for approximately 30 seconds before regaining his composure. The clip was uploaded to his official Telegram account before it was promptly deleted and replaced by an edited version.
During a meeting with another world leader accused of hiding his health issues, Putin's legs this time got people talking. Footage appeared to capture his legs twitching during the Alaska summit with Donald Trump last year.
