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re: Unsteady & Distracted Putin Fuels Parkinsons' Rumours
Is Putin ILL? - 5 Signs Russian President is Sick - From Rage to Cancer Claims
As Vladimir Putin's unjust war appears to be waging on longer than he planned, questions have arisen over his health, both from a physical perspective and a mental capacity
Putin vows to rid Russia of 'scum and traitors'
BBC News 22 MAR 2022.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin's health has been under speculation over the past few years.
Now that he's invaded Ukraine in what has been widely criticised as an unjust war, the speculation continues to run rife.
Putin, 69, has been in the Kremlin since 2000 and public statements about his health are few and far between.
As the Ukraine war appears to be waging longer than Putin planned, more questions have arisen over his health, from a physical perspective to mental capacity.
Any statements from the Kremlin have dismissed all claims - but they've remained tight-lipped on Putin's health since the invasion began on February 24.
Here are some of the signs that explain why many suspect the former KGB agent is ill.
Is Vladimir Putin seriously ill?
Many have speculated that Putin could be taking steroids as part of a treatment to a conditionmage
'Steroids'
Recent photos of Putin have appeared to show him with a more bloated face, which some suggest mean he might be under a steroid treatment for a condition.
It has been speculated that steroids could be part of a treatment for potential back issues.
The side effects of steroids include mood swings and behavioural changes.
A high dose of steroids can even cause confusion or changes in thinking, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.
The charity says: "This can include having strange or frightening thoughts."
Fiona Hill, the British former senior White House expert on Russia, told Politico : "Putin’s not looking so great, he’s been rather puffy-faced.
Some highlighted that Putin could be in ill health because he reportedly limped off stage at the rally in Moscow
"We know that he has complained about having back issues.
"Even if it’s not something worse than that, it could be that he’s taking high doses of steroids, or there may be something else.
"There seems to be an urgency for this that may be also driven by personal factors."
She added: "He may have a sense that time is marching on - it’s 22 years (in power), after all, and the likelihood after that kind of time of a Russian leader leaving voluntarily or through elections is pretty slim.
"Most leaders leave either like Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko thought that he might leave, as the result of massive protests, or they die in office."
If those claims are true, former foreign secretary and medical doctor Lord Owen said taking steroids can make you more vulnerable to Covid.
Lord Owen told Times Radio: "Look at his face, see how that has changed - he now has an oval face.
"People who said, oh, it's plastic surgery or Botox, I don't believe that at all.
"He's on either anabolic steroids as a bodybuilder - and he's very proud of his muscles and strips to the waist and everything like that - or he's on corticosteroids.
"If you're on these drugs, this gives you this face. It reduces your immunity and makes you more vulnerable to Covid."
He added: "This man has been in complete isolation, quite extraordinary, won't see anybody, stays miles away, tremendous pressures.
"Which indicates he's on a steroid and probably, maybe, a combination of both.
"And we ought to fess up to it, that carries with it, particularly anabolic steroids, bodybuilders, aggressiveness that comes through.
"I think his personality has changed, but don't believe he's mad.
"He's a very clever and able, and somebody who you don't want as an enemy, and he's ruthless."
Cancer Claims
Some have speculated that Putin could be suffering from cancer
Political scientist Valery Solovei has previously claimed Putin has cancer as well as symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.
He also claimed Putin underwent emergency surgery in February 2020.
In 2020, Prof Solovei said of Putin's twin health traumas: “One is of psycho-neurological nature, the other is a cancer problem.
“If anyone is interested in the exact diagnosis, I'm not a doctor, and I have no ethical right to reveal these problems.
”The second diagnosis is a lot, lot more dangerous than the first named diagnosis as Parkinson’s does not threaten physical state, but just limits public appearances.
“But there is a fatal diagnosis.
“Based on this information people will be able to make a conclusion about his life horizon, which wouldn’t even require specialist medical education.”
Parkinson's Speculation
Last week, Putin held a pro-war rally in Moscow where many speculated he limped off stage.
Footage of his limp added to growing speculation the leader may be suffering from Parkinson’s disease, which could be influencing his behaviour.
And Prof Solovei isn't the only one to speculate that Putin may have Parkinson's.
Sir Richard Dearlove, an ex-MI6 boss, has recently told GB news there is often a link between the disease and a “loss of restraint”.
The Kremlin hasn't commented on Putin's health since the invasion began
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