Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Laura Sharman

Vladimir Putin seen with 'IV track marks' on hand amid rumours he has cancer

Vladimir Putin appears to have IV track marks on the back of his hand which is reigniting rumours that he is battling cancer.

The Russian president was spotted having the marks on his right hand in a recent propaganda video.

In the clip, released by the Russian Ministry of Defence, he is seen grasping a soldier's arm while visiting a boot camp in the Ryazan region.

The mysterious blemish is clearly seen on the Kremlin leader's hand in screenshots taken from the video, tweeted by Kyiv Post journalist Jason Jay Smart.

Referring to "Putin's health" in capital letters, the journalist goes on to suggest the Kremlin has been trying to cover up the marks.

"Videos released by Government news show what could be track marks, from IVs, on the hand of Putin," he wrote.

The footage was taken during Putin's recent visit to a military training ground in western Russia (Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

"For the same event, the Kremlin released two videos: One with tons of watermarks, making the hand harder to see, the other without any shot of his hand."

Putin, 70, inspected the training ground in western Russia where he put on a show of apparent strength by firing a sniper rifle at a target.

He was taken on a tour of their living quarters, observed new conscripts carrying out combat exercises, and asked if they had any concerns.

The video was shared by Zvezda, a Russian state-owned nationwide TV channel run by the Russian Ministry of Defence.

It has not been confirmed whether the marks on Putin's hand resulted from intravenous treatment.

The recruits were summoned into military service under a partial mobilisation (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The mark could be "just a weird angle of bulgy veins", according to another theory suggested by Tom Warner.

But the former Ukraine correspondent also highlighted Putin's "puffy" face and hands which he put down to a "long-term steroid use" without evidence.

Other recent cancer rumours claim Putin is weakening and that his nuclear threats stem from the pain he is facing.

While separate videos have shown the Kremlin leader with hand and leg tremors, sparking theories he has Parkinson's disease.

In his speech in Red Square, Putin said: "We have become stronger because we are together. Truth is behind us, and in truth is strength which means victory. Victory will be ours."

Putin meeting with the Governor of Magadan Region via a video conference last week (SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Further rumours claim Putin has already tried to detonate a nuke but that his plans were "sabotaged."

An insider speculated either Kremlin officials are "sabotaging" his plans to use atomic weapons or there are technical issues.

It follows a series of NOTAM messages (Notice to air missions) in recent days and warnings from linked Russian navigation indicating tests or live firing drills.

Meanwhile, further claims suggest Putin ordered two nuclear missile tests which ultimately did not take place.

“[Putin’s] decision on the use of tactical nuclear weapons [in the Ukraine conflict] would no doubt face resistance," expert Valery Solovey said.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.