‘Bloated’ Vadimir Putin Appears To Fall Asleep During Meeting At Kremlin Amid Health Rumors

Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be looking quite bloated in a recent meeting with his defense minister firing up even more rumors about his state of health. In a circulating footage of his televised meeting with Sergei Shoigu Monday, the leader sat across from his defense minister slumped on a chair and hunched over his desk as he gave off what seemed to be a fuzzy gaze. The video caught him somewhat drifting off to a snooze but the clip cut at that point of the meeting and the camera focused on Shoigu.

According to Mirror, Putin’s appearance may be indicative of thyroid related issues suspected to be related to cancer treatment or Parkinson’s disease. The 69-year-old tyrant sat with Shoigu to congratulate him and his troops on the liberation of Luhansk. He went on to discuss how important it was for Russian forces to capture the strategic region and for them to concentrate on developing their combat capabilities. Putin appeared to make an effort to stay alert during the meeting giving even more fire to rumors that he is on steroids to treat speculated thyroid cancer.

The meeting was a staged broadcast yet analysts observed Putin’s congratulatory remarks were rather unenthusiastic with bits of him looking as if he was about to nod off and then the camera suddenly pans over to Shoigu. During the entirety of the televised meeting, the camera remained mostly focused on the defense minister.

"Other military units, including the East group and the West group, must carry out their tasks according to previously approved plans,” Putin mumbles.

Some medical experts believe his rash and aggressive decisions were brought on by his intake of high-dosage steroids. It has been said that this was how his decision to invade Ukraine came to be. An intelligence alliance made up of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US cited sources from the Kremlin laying claim on a psychological explanation for Putin’s decision to launch an offensive against Ukraine. They call this reaction as a “roid-rage”, a side effect caused by the prolonged treatment with steroids

Professor Angus Dalgleish of St George's, University of London said the Russian leader’s quick temper and elevated levels of frustration are clear signs of anabolic steroid side effects. He described Putin as a narcissist brute who likes to indulge in egomaniac stunts such as his bare-chested display while riding horses. The professor said these are likely signs of someone taking opiates, noting how the Kremlin leader also suffers from back pain.