Putin health fears - from coughing fit to leaked Kremlin video

 Vladimir Putin has been spotted bursting into an uncontrollable coughing fit in leaked video - marking the latest in a string of health fears about the Russian despot.

Accidentally leaked footage shows the 73-year-old having to redo a speech for International Women's Day after being overcome by a 30-second bout of coughing, which sees his face turn red and the Russian president in apparent discomfort. After pointing to his throat multiple times, being offered water by an aide, and rubbing his nose, a flustered Putin then asks to film the video address again.

The clip clearly wasn't meant to be shared with the public - but a mishap by the Kremlin's social media team meant it was left into the final cut, before being swiftly deleted.

It's only the latest incident to spark frenzied speculation about Putin's health, as we list some of the most memorable incidents in recent times:

Limping from plane before big Donald Trump meeting

As he met Donald Trump on the runway for talks over a peace plan in Alaska last August, Putin appeared to limp as he walked down the stairs of his presidential plane.

His steps appeared uneven, and he was even forced to take a pause halfway down the stairs of his plane, a Ilyushin Il-96-300PU often nicknamed the 'Flying Kremlin', to regain his composure.

Putin was given a warm reception - including a chummy pat on the back - when he eventually met Trump on the red carpet.

Parkinson's disease theory

In April 2022, it was rumoured that Vladimir Putin might be suffering from Parkinson's disease after he appeared unable to stand still during multiple public engagements.

Footage showed the Russian President repeatedly twisting his feet and shaking his legs, and he was also seen swaying back and forth and shifting his weight while presenting a State Prize to filmmaker Nikita Mikhalkov at the Kremlin.

Speaking to the Mirror about the footage at the time, Professor Angus Dalgleish from St George's, University of London, said that the physical tics were a classic symptoms of the condition. "Tremors would be consistent with Parkinson's, and certainly the tremors he has in his hands are all consistent with the disease," he said, adding: "I would put my money on the fact that he's got Parkinson's."

Cancer rumours denied by CIA

In 2022, mounting speculation that Vladimir Putin had been undergoing chemotherapy were rebuffed - not by the Kremlin, but by the CIA.

Director William Burns said there was no evidence to suggest that he was suffering from cancer, joking that he appeared "too healthy".

'Bulging veins' spotted on thin hand

In November 2025, Putin appeared to have large, swollen veins on the back of his hand during a public event in Russia.

Some speculated this could be signs of an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure.

Dmytro Gordon, a prominent Ukranian interviewer and media personality, said: "There’s something wrong with Putin’s hands. Apart from the fact that he's covered in blood up to the elbows, his veins are bulging too."

Mini stroke claims after Putin spotted 'shaking'

Last March, it was reported that Putin had experienced a mini stroke after he was seen shaking "uncontrollably" during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Speaking of his doubts over Putin's well-being, former Kremlin speechwriter Abbas Gallyamov, who worked as his speechwriter during his first two presidential terms, said he appeared to be showing "the consequences of a mini-stroke."