Putin’s health sparks rumours after televised comments
Kremlin dismisses health rumours after Putin's televised comments
Rumours about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s health emerged after his comments during a televised event on Friday, which led the Kremlin to issue quick denials. The 72-year-old leader appeared with Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, urging citizens to get flu vaccinations. He mentioned having “regular examinations” at Moscow’s Central Clinical Hospital, sparking speculation about his health.
“Doctors at the Central Clinical Hospital, where I undergo all sorts of regular examinations, also recommend getting vaccinated with domestically produced drugs,” Putin said, aiming to promote flu vaccines.
Online speculation about underlying health issues followed, but Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov quickly dismissed the concerns. “He meant routine medical examinations,” Peskov told reporters, downplaying any worries about Putin’s condition.
#Putin's TV comments fuel health rumours, #Kremlin scrambles to quash concernshttps://t.co/fhfifFO8bz
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) October 18, 2024
This speculation comes after claims from Ukrainian intelligence officials that Putin uses body doubles at public events. In 2022, Major General Kyrylo Budanov of Ukraine’s military intelligence suggested that differences in Putin’s appearance, such as variations in his ears, indicated the use of stand-ins. The claims resurfaced this year when Andriy Yusov, another Ukrainian intelligence official, asserted that Putin’s visits to occupied Ukrainian regions were staged with doubles.
“Putin uses doubles,” Yusov told Ukrainska Pravda, adding that intelligence and expert analysis supported the claims. He pointed to a visit to southern Ukraine in March, describing it as “hastily organized” and noting discrepancies in Putin’s behaviour and appearance.
Despite these widely circulated theories, no evidence supports them, and the Kremlin has consistently denied any use of body doubles or health concerns regarding Putin.
What Other Media Are Saying
- AP News reports on the spread of misinformation about Putin’s health, highlighting a baseless claim from an unreliable Telegram account and its amplification by news outlets and social media, despite the Kremlin’s denial.(read more)
- NDTV reports that Moscow dismisses speculation about Putin’s health, calls heart attack rumors an absurd hoax, and asserts he is fit and not using body doubles.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Is Vladimir Putin’s health in question?
Rumours emerged after Putin mentioned regular check-ups, but the Kremlin dismissed concerns.
What did Putin say about his health?
Putin mentioned undergoing regular examinations at Moscow’s Central Clinical Hospital.
Does Putin use body doubles?
Ukrainian intelligence officials claim so, but there’s no evidence, and the Kremlin denies it.
Why did the Kremlin respond to health rumours about Putin?
The Kremlin wanted to clarify that Putin’s comments referred to routine medical examinations.
What sparked the recent speculation about Putin’s health?
Putin’s mention of regular medical examinations during a televised event led to speculation.
