Putin health concerns are growing after the Russian President appeared increasingly frail at recent public appearances, with claims Putin suffered a stroke.

01:16, Fri, Jun 19, 2026 Updated: 01:27, Fri, Jun 19, 2026

Putin's health concerns soar after Kremlin leader appears frailer and frailer

Vladimir Putin has "lost his chance" to bring the conflict to a close by declining to participate in fresh peace negotiations, according to Ukraine's foreign minister.Sybiha said: "By refusing President Zelensky's offer for direct peace talks, Putin lost his chance to get out of his failed war. Things will only get worse for Russia. Battlefield losses will continue to grow. Failures will get more humiliating." (Image: MBN)

Russian President Vladimir Putin's physical condition has come under scrutiny after the Kremlin leader cut a noticeably frail figure across a series of recent public appearances.

Concerns over Putin's health were first raised earlier this month when he was seen slurring his words during a major address at the Kremlin, following what some have described as a "mini-stroke."

A former speechwriter has claimed that the 73 year old suffered a stroke back in 2022.

"Basically, the first time I noticed these [stroke-like] symptoms in Putin was in 2022, a few months after the war began, when it became clear that a quick, dashing cavalry charge hadn't won the war, and it was a very serious psychological blow to him," he told Anyway News, a Ukrainian media project.

"Then he started having tremors - you know, his hand would shake, his leg would shake."

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends an official reception held at the Galyasgar Kemal Tattar St

Putin's health has been called into question after a series of incidents, including slurred speech, swollen hands, and other issues. (Image: Russian President official/APAImages/Shutterstock)

Rumors about a body double intensify

Rumors that the Russian president has been using a body double have spread like wildfire (Image: MBN)

A further indication of the Russian leader's declining condition emerged during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, when he appeared to stumble while stepping out of his limousine in Beijing to be greeted by the Chinese leader. One observer remarked: "Putin shuffles forward with an awkward stooped gait as he greets Xi in Beijing."

Russian leader Vladimir Putin is currently attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, where he praised his country's relationship with the bloc.

"It is a strategic partnership that serves as an essential stabilizing factor in the Asia-Pacific amidst geopolitical turbulence, contributing to the formation of a balanced security architecture and equitable mutually beneficial cooperation," a visibly weakened-looking Putin declared.