Putin’s Puffy Face at Victory Day Parade Revives Health Rumors as Event Shrinks

Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared at Russia’s Victory Day military parade with a noticeably puffy face, fueling fresh speculation about his health.

The New York Post reported on May 11 that Putin’s swollen face and gaunt appearance drew attention when he attended the May 9 parade in Moscow’s Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II.

Victory Day is Russia’s biggest state commemoration of the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. In a speech at the event, Putin sought to boost troop morale. He did not mention the war in Ukraine directly, but said soldiers carrying out what Russia calls a “special military operation” were fighting forces backed by the entire NATO alliance.

Online reaction after the parade centered on Putin’s altered appearance. Some pro-Ukraine social media accounts said his face looked different than usual and raised the possibility of health problems. One user questioned what had happened to his face. Another shared a video capture of Putin frowning and wrote that it could be his “last parade.”

Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with the president of Laos at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 9. Photo: AFP

Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with the president of Laos at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 9. Photo: AFP

Questions about Putin’s health have surfaced repeatedly in the past. In 2022, Russian independent media reported allegations that he had received treatment for a thyroid-related illness. Since then, speculation has persisted over his gait, facial expressions and hand movements at public appearances. The Russian government has denied claims about problems with his health. Putin is 73 this year and has remained in power through a lengthy rule.

This year’s Victory Day parade was also scaled back sharply from previous years. Reuters reported that Russia staged one of its most pared-down Victory Day parades in recent years as it faced the threat of Ukrainian attacks. The Guardian said the event had long been used to showcase heavy military equipment and nuclear missiles, but no tanks rolled through Red Square this year. The newspaper also noted that the parade lasted about 45 minutes, significantly shorter than in past years.

Security was tightened in Moscow during the parade. The New York Post said internet service was disrupted in the city, while online claims circulated that Putin had used an armored vehicle.

In his speech, Putin described the war in Ukraine as a “special military operation” and said Russia would win. Russia has been at war for more than four years since launching its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Russia’s Victory Day events coincided with a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine from May 9 to May 11. Even so, foreign media reported that fighting, including drone attacks, continued during the truce. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticized Russia, saying it had no intention of ending the war.

Park Su-bin, Hankyung.com reporter waterbean@hankyung.com