BIZARRE footage showing Vladimir Putin’s legs twitching wildly at a public event sparked new health rumours yesterday amid claims he has Parkinson’s Disease.
The 72-year-old Russian tyrant appeared unable to control movement in his legs and heels while standing at a podium in Astana, Kazakhstan.
5
5
5
Putin has been dogged by persistent health rumours for years – including suggestions he has Parkinson’s or cancer – which have all been denied by the Kremlin.
Ukraine’s internal affairs spokesman Anton Geraschenko highlighted what he claimed was the latest sign that Putin’s health is in serious decline.
Last week, Geraschenko shared footage – which he suggested had been manipulated – showing the despot with totally still hands while giving an eight-minute address from a desk.
Analysts suggested a campaign was being mounted to conceal the effects of Parkinson’s – an incurable disease which causes painful muscle tremors.
Gerashenko offered no evidence to back up his claim – but sharing the latest footage today, he commented: “I wasn’t sure about Putin’s hands.
“But these legs and feet are definitely his. And the heels, too. That’s clear.”
During the hour-long speech, the Russian president continually moved his legs and feet in a movement that seemed involuntary as his muscles appeared to twitch.
First, his right foot started moving from side to side then the bizarre movement appeared to affect more of his leg with his knee and his twitching and moving.
He then took on a wider stance and both knees twitched and he briefly rocked back onto his heels with both legs continuing to move.
At one point his left hand which had been resting on the lectern suddenly twitched before landing back where it was.
HEALTH CONCERNS
Other recent videos have shown Putin gripping tables tightly, tapping his foot, or displaying a slouched posture.
This latest clip comes just a week after his hands appeared not to move at all for almost 10 minutes, sparking claims that the video may have been heavily edited to hide health-related issues.
The eight-minute address given by the despot while he was sitting down was his first public appearance after a mysterious two-week public absence.
During this time, suspicions were raised that the Kremlin was pumping out pre-recorded meetings with Russian officials.
It was later claimed on the Telegram channel VChK-OGPU which has security service links that the President had been away from work to undergo a routine medical examination.
Putin’s rumoured health issues
DESPITE Putin’s cultivation of himself as an “action man” – questions have long been raised over his health.
Only a month earlier, the Kremlin rushed out an unprecedented statement insisting that the leader does not have health issues.
It came after Putin admitted in a televised meeting that he had been undergoing medical examinations at a top hospital in Moscow.
The Russian leader “has no health problems” state news agency TASS insisted while reiterating that Putin’s medical visits were routine appointments.
“He meant routine medical examinations,” Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
WEAK AND SHAKY
Concerns about Putin’s health have been raised for years after the president’s “strongman” image took a hit due to dramatic changes in his appearance.
Parkinson’s rumours first emerged more than two years ago when Vlad appeared bloated and shaky as he barked orders at defence chief Sergei Shoigu over the siege of Mariupol.
He has also been seen having difficulty walking, appearing out of breath, and pulling bizarre gurning faces.
The tyrant has also appeared to be in some kind of pain as he was previously filmed strongly gripping tables while in meetings.
Around the same time in 2022, experts started highlighting his “bloated” and “weakened” appearance as some suggested he could have had thyroid cancer.
It was also at this time that the despot’s twitching legs were first noticed.
In July of that year, the leader’s face twitched and his legs wobbled as he waited 48 seconds for a handshake with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Putin’s health has long been the source of rumour and speculation as Western intelligence analysts attempted to corroborate rumours that he is not a well man.
Kremlin officials have always denied there is anything wrong with their leader, who turned 72 in October.
5
5
