Putin’s fat face raises serious health concerns as he grips the table

Reports have long circulated that Russia’s president is concealing a serious illness, including rumours that he has cancer and has been seen by doctors on a regular basis. In a rare public appearance and video, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin claims that his forces have “liberated” the beleaguered city of Mariupol on Ukraine’s Black Sea coast.

Putin’s poor posture, on the other hand, has fueled speculation that his health is deteriorating, as a weakening posture and visible bloating in his face and neck hint that all is not well with the Russian leader.

During the video, Putin complimented Mr. Shoigu on the current “special operation” in Ukraine, but said an operation to assault an industrial sector in Mariupol had been cancelled because to concerns about losing additional soldiers and equipment.

However, a close examination of the footage reveals an uneasy Putin who can be heard slurring his sentences at points.

The president is also seen holding the table and tapping his foot as though he is uncomfortable.

Although the cancer rumours have yet to be substantiated, one adverse effect of combining steroids and chemotherapy is water retention and bloating, which might explain Putin’s face and neck swelling.

According to reports, Putin is “always” accompanied by a doctor who specialises in thyroid cancer.

Surgeon Yevgeny Selivanov of Moscow’s Central Clinical Hospital has flown to Russian President Vladimir Putin 35 times in Sochi, his favourite vacation spot on the Black Sea.

Rumors are also circulating that the defence minister’s health is deteriorating.

Mr Shoigu was also observed slurring his speech amid reports that he had a heart attack.

Several commentators have weighed in on the footage.

The footage showed both Putin and Shoigu “depressed and evidently in ill health,” according to Anders Aslund, a Swedish economist and former consultant to Ukraine and Russia.

“Shoigu has to read his words to Putin and speaks horribly,” he said, implying that the rumours of his heart attack are true.

“He has a terrible sitting posture. “Unacceptable performance.”

“It’s an unbelievably weaker Putin compared to the man we witnessed even a few years ago,” Texas Tech University body language specialist Erik Bucy told The Sun.

“An able-bodied president would not be concerned about having both feet planted on the ground or supported up with a hand stretched out for leverage.”

“This isn’t a picture of a robust Putin; rather, it’s a picture of a man who is becoming progressively frail, hardly able to stand at a tiny conference table.”

In light of Putin’s alleged health concern, Ukrainian journalists have also leapt on the footage.

“Is it just me or does Putin truly appear less powerful?” said Illia Ponomarenko, a correspondent for the website The Kyiv Independent, on Twitter.