"A hamster with puffed out cheeks": Putin is said to be going downhill physically
Created: 07/21/2022, 05:15
By: Nail Akkoyun
There are numerous rumors about Vladimir Putin's health.
An author now offers a possible explanation for Putin's changed appearance.
Moscow – The rumors about Vladimir Putin's state of health continue.
It has been suspected for some time that the Russian President is suffering from cancer or is shaken by Parkinson's disease.
Sometimes the allegations can be traced back to Putin's public appearances, during which the head of state clung to tables or wrapped a woolen blanket around his legs.
Ultimately, even in the Kremlin, hardly anyone will know what the rumors are about.
But even if Moscow has so far not confirmed a single illness or serious illness on the part of Putin, new assumptions about his state of health keep appearing.
British investigative journalist John Sweeney has now joined the ranks of speculators.
In his new book, Killer in the Kremlin, he writes that Vladimir Putin looks "seriously ill."
The US news magazine
newsweek.com
reports on this .
While Vladimir Putin's face was once adorned with distinctive features, the Russian president now seems rather bloated - author John Sweeney therefore compares him to a hamster.
(Archive photo) © Mikhail Klimentyev/Imago
Vladimir Putin falls from his horse: the beginning of a drug addiction?
Sweeney has been dealing with the Russian prime minister for years and describes changes that "terrify" him.
Unlike many others, the journalist does not commit himself to one illness, but suspects that the President is suffering from the effects of years of steroid abuse.
According to several sources, Putin started taking medication to treat a back injury a few years ago.
As the Kremlin confirmed at the time, Putin fell off a horse while riding.
According to the science
magazine pektrum.de
, steroid abuse can lead to a number of health problems, including serious organ damage, tumors and excessive weight gain.
Sweeney therefore believes that Putin could suffer from the consequences of frequent anabolic use.
That would explain why the swollen cheeks have made the Russian president look like a "hamster," the journalist writes.
In 2014, while working for the
BBC
, Sweeney met the Kremlin boss and in his book recalls a "skinny" face reminiscent of "a ferret or a reptile" - eight years later, however, Putin looks "like." a hamster, with puffed out cheeks, unhealthy”.
In contrast to today, the Russian head of state appeared “subtle and supple”, whereas he is currently physically declining.
Vladimir Putin: The political career of the Russian head of state in pictures
View photo gallery
also read
Putin's view of Ukraine "very exaggerated": military expert sees "first signs" of a radical step
Putin threatens "catastrophe": Now the ordeal in Germany begins
Vladimir Putin: It's possible 'he's taking high doses of steroids'
John Sweeney argues that Vladimir Putin's "hyperaggressive" attitude would also point to anabolic abuse.
Increased aggressiveness, mood swings and irritability are among the undesirable side effects or consequences of abuse, according to an article by
pektrum.de
.
Russia expert Fiona Hill, who has worked for several US governments, also told the US daily
Politico
that Vladimir Putin has repeatedly complained of pain since his back injury.
She also thinks it's possible "that he's taking high doses of steroids."
"A rather bloated face" would speak for this.
According to Hill, deteriorating health combined with a “sense of urgency” may even have been the reason why Putin ordered the attack on Ukraine in February of all days.
(nak)
