--- title: "Russia Says That Vladimir Putin Definitely Does NOT Have a Terminal Illness, Thank You Very Much!" description: "The Russian government is clearly fed up with speculation about the state of often-shirtless president Vladimir Putin's health." date: "2022-06-04" modified: "2022-06-04" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/neoscope/vladimir-putin-health-rumors" categories: - "Developments" - "Health & Medicine" tags: - "health" - "putin" - "Russia" - "the digest" --- # Russia Says That Vladimir Putin Definitely Does NOT Have a Terminal Illness, Thank You Very Much! ![The Russian government is clearly fed up with speculation about the state of often-shirtless president Vladimir Putin's health.]() *MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MAY,16 (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin seen during the Summit of Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) at the Grand Kremlin Palace, May,16,2022, in Moscow, Russia. Leaders of post-Soviet states have gathered at the Kremlin for the summit of CSTO marking its 30th anniversary this year. (Photo by Contributor/Getty Images) \Image: Getty Images\* ## Health Is Wealth The Russian government is clearly fed up with intensifying speculation surrounding president Vladimir Putin's health — so much so that this week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov felt the need to speak up about it. "I don’t think sane people can discern any sort of symptom of disease in this man," Lavrov [told French ]()[television network ]()[*TF1*](), citing daily appearances in public and presidential speeches as proof of health. According [to *Politico*](), the Russian official's remarks come as a response to recent claims that Putin's face has appeared extra "puffy" as of late, which [tabloids]() have hypothesized to be a sign of anything from plastic surgery and steroids to serious diseases like Parkinson or cancer. Despite even a recent investigation by [Russian outlet *Proekt*]() revealing that Putin speaks to several doctors a day, and even has a [cancer specialist on permanent call,]() US intelligence are still officially holding the line that they've [seen no hard proof]() that the longtime leader is ill — although [*Newsweek* is now reporting]() that US intelligence sources are saying privately that Putin was treated for cancer in April, months after the start of the invasion. ## Body Positivity The question of Putin's health is particular fraught in the context of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, but also because the president has been extremely intentional about maintaining a hyper-masculine public image, which he has spent decades diligently curating by way of [rugged shirtless pics]() and [grand displays of athleticism](). A few years ago, when asked by an Austrian journalist about the reason for so many topless photos in particular, the [accidental body-positivity]() influencer responded that he saw "no need to hide" his physique when "on vacation." Given the clear time and attention dedicated to his macho image — and the time taken by the Kremlin to combat supposed ailments — we're sure this latest rumor is an annoyance for the Russian leader, who, again, is DEFINITELY NOT even SORT OF sick, okay? **More on Putin paranoia:** [*Vladimir Putin is Reportedly Terrified of Gene-Hacking Experiments*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()