…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
Images and clips have emerged of Russian President Vladimir Putin limping during a visit to military headquarters in Ukraine.
Putin was seen walking uneasily with a stiffness in his step through occupied territories, where he visited to chat with top military officials.
According to Metro, the lack of security during his visit was noticeable as he made small strides.
The 70-year-old leader paid a surprise visit to the Oblast of Kherson, one of the front-line regions invaded by Russia, where he received updates from leaders of the Dnieper army group and airborne forces.
He then went to Luhansk to visit a national guard base and meet with a top general.
Claims of Putin’s Visit to Mariupol and the Use of a Body Double
There are also claims that Putin visited Mariupol on the Sea of Azov, although there were counters regarding the use of a body double for the visit.
Russian channel General SVR reported that Putin used a stunt double for the visit, as a man resembling the president of Russia continues to travel through the occupied territories of Ukraine.
The channel claimed that the recent visits by the doppelgänger to Crimea and Mariupol pleased Putin and his entourage so much that it was decided to continue such events.
The use of a body double is meant to convince the Russians that Putin visits the front line under bullets and with personal courage, and raises the morale of soldiers and disgraced generals before the upcoming counteroffensive of Ukrainian troops.
Commentary
The health of political leaders is always a topic of concern, particularly when they are heads of state. In Putin’s case, there have been previous questions regarding his health, with some reports speculating that he may have Parkinson’s disease.
These recent images and clips of him limping during a visit to military headquarters in Ukraine have once again raised concerns about his health.
However, it is important to note that the dates of the photographs have not been disclosed by the Kremlin, and there is no verification that the claims of his health problems are genuine.
As for the claims of his visit to Mariupol and the use of a body double, these are serious allegations that raise questions about the authenticity of Putin’s public appearances and the information being presented to the Russian public.