Putin Seen Covering Legs With Blanket, Coughing, Limping At Russia's Victory Day Parade: Report
Recently, a US media report claimed that Vladimir Putin might undergo cancer surgery and could temporarily hand over his powers to someone else.
New Delhi: Amid rumours over his health problems, Russian President Vladimir Putin was seen sitting with a thick blanket over his lap during the Victory Day celebrations on Monday, a report in Independent said. Putin was the only one using the covering as he watched the military parade in Moscow's famous Red Square sitting amongst elderly World War II veterans.
The temperature was also relatively mild at around 9 degrees Celsius in Moscow on Monday. Moreover, Putin, who appeared bloated, was also seen coughing and walking with a limp at the event that commemorates Nazi Germany's surrender in 1945.
Atleast on two occassions -- when he left the podium after giving a speech and when he went to the Tomb of the Unknown Solider to lay a wreath -- Putin appeared to be walking with a heavy step, as if trying to disguise a limp, a report in The Daily Mail said.
The development has spearked more rumours around Putin's health, with reports suggesting that the Russian President could have Parkinson's or cancer. However, the Kremlin has never commented on reports of Putin's alleged ill-health.
In his nearly 11-minute speech on Monday, Putin claimed that Russia was fighting Nazis in Ukraine, and accused the West of planning to invade Crimea.
READ | Russian President Putin To Undergo Cancer Treatment, Hand Over Power: Report
Last month, a video footage emerged showing Putin slouching and tightly holding a table during a meeting with Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu. The 69-year-old was seen holding onto the corner of the table for the entire 12 minute meeting.
Days before Russia invaded Ukraine, Putin had hosted close ally and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in Moscow. During that meeting, Putin was seen with his hand clutched to his chest and shaking.
Recently, a US media report claimed that Putin might undergo cancer surgery and could temporarily hand over his powers to someone else. A report by US's New York Post claimed that Putin might hand over his power to the secretary of the country's Security Council Nikolai Patrushev.
It is being said that after the surgery Putin would be incapacitated for "a short time".
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