Vladimir Putin was caught on leaked video suffering from a severe coughing fit, raising concerns about his health. The footage, accidentally shared, showed the 73-year-old struggling through a speech for International Women’s Day, visibly uncomfortable as he battled a 30-second coughing spell. After gesturing to his throat, receiving water from an aide, and displaying signs of distress, Putin requested a reshoot of the address.
This incident adds to a series of health-related speculations surrounding the Russian leader. Notably, in a past encounter with Donald Trump, Putin appeared to limp while descending the stairs of his plane, needing a moment to compose himself. Furthermore, rumors surfaced in April 2022 suggesting Putin might have Parkinson’s disease, as he displayed involuntary movements during public events.
Despite various health concerns, the CIA dismissed claims of Putin undergoing chemotherapy in 2022, citing his apparent good health. However, in November 2025, observations of prominent veins on Putin’s hand during a public event sparked further speculation about his well-being, with some suggesting it could indicate underlying conditions like high blood pressure.
In a separate instance, reports emerged that Putin had a minor stroke after being seen shaking uncontrollably during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. These incidents have led to public scrutiny and debate over Putin’s physical condition, with former Kremlin speechwriter Abbas Gallyamov expressing doubts about Putin’s health status.