On Sunday 16 April, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a midnight Orthodox Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. He was filmed and photographed at the event with what looks like a mark on his neck, sparking even more rumours about the state of his health.
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There has long been speculation that Putin is suffering from cancer or Parkinson’s disease. However, the Kremlin denies these allegations, insisting that he’s healthy.
Vladimir Putin has an 'extensive scar' on his neck
According to Ukrainian news outlet Dialog.ua, a photo taken by the TASS news agency showed 'a strange mark' on his neck, 'resembling an extensive scar'. Ukrainian journalist Denis Kazansky pointed it out in a Telegram post, writing next to the photo 'what's up with Volodya?'
He added, 'I think I figured out where Z came from', referring to the letter that has become the symbol for Putin's war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian politician Oleksiy Goncharenko also addressed Putin’s appearance at the church service, saying that 'talk about his health flared up with renewed vigor'. He said in Russian:
He didn't look very good in church yesterday. He moved with difficulty. And in the photographs, a scar is clearly visible on his neck. Most likely, he has undergone some kind of medical procedure.
Read more ⋙ Vladimir Putin allegedly facing a 'sharp deterioration' in health: 'Those closest to him are tense'
Scar on Vladimir Putin's neck sparks health rumors https://t.co/R9HSCYiZQ9
— Jen La Boda 🇺🇦 (@J_La_Boda) April 19, 2023
Goncharenko added:
I don't know what they did there. Maybe they did some kind of artificial ventilation of the lungs or something else.
Read more:
⋙ Vladimir Putin is using 'powerful stimulant drugs', claims Russian political scientist
⋙ Vladimir Putin’s latest appearance sparks speculation over health concerns once again
Did Vladimir Putin have thyroid cancer?
In 2022, the independent investigative outlet Proekt reported that according to leaked travel documents, Putin had thyroid cancer or another disease.
According to the NHS, the thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, just in front of the windpipe (trachea), which is where Putin’s 'scar' seems to be. However, it doesn't appear in all photos of the head of the Kremlin.
Thus, what the mark is or what health conditions he has, if any, remains unconfirmed.
Sources used:
Newsweek: ''Scar' on Putin's Neck During Church Service Sparks Health Rumors'
Daily Mail: ''Scar' spotted on Putin's neck heightens speculation that the Russian leader has undergone treatment for thyroid cancer'
TASS: 'Putin attends Easter service at Christ the Savior Cathedral'
