Rumours continue to circulate regarding Vladimir Putin’s health

WorldPolitics
11 Mar 2026 • 2:21 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • A recent video showing Russian president Vladimir Putin having a coughing fit during an address, subsequently deleted by the Kremlin, has reignited speculation about his health.
  • For years, unconfirmed rumours have circulated regarding Putin's health, including suggestions of Parkinson's disease and various forms of cancer.
  • Public appearances have sometimes shown Putin appearing frail or tense, leading to observations such as him tightly clutching a table or experiencing tremors; former MI6 head Sir Richard Dearlove also suggested in 2024 that something “fundamentally wrong” might be affecting him.
  • Reports from investigative outlets and claims from former insiders have detailed Putin's alleged travel with cancer specialists and suggested conditions ranging from rapidly progressing cancer to a mini-stroke.
  • The Kremlin has consistently dismissed all health-related speculation as “gossip” or “absolute nonsense”, maintaining that the Russian president is in good health.

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