Ever since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February this year, several videos showing Russian President Vladimir Putin appearing “sick” have emerged on social media, giving rise to speculations about his health, with some unconfirmed reports also suggesting that he may have Parkinson’s disease. The rumours only got stronger when he missed an ice hockey game at the Night Hockey League National Festival in Sochi on Tuesday night, even though he was “expected” to participate in the league. Ahead of the game, he sent a video message while at the venue. In the clip, he was allegedly seen with dark blotches on his cheeks that may have been covered using makeup, New York Post reported. 

“I wish you good luck in your ice battles and all the best. And as they say: may the best win!” he said in the video.

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The league was established in 2011 and since then, Putin has only missed it once, which was in 2013 when he was photographed watching the match from the stands.

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Earlier this month, reports stated that Putin might undergo cancer surgery and will temporarily hand over power to hardline Security Council head and former Federal Security Service (FSB) commander Nikolai Patrushev. 

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Last month, a video of Putin’s meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu emerged on social media. Many noted that he did not look healthy. 

“Is this just me or Putin really looks less healthy and sound with each and every day of the war? I can see a drastic difference between now and late February,” Illia Ponomarenko, a reporter for the website The Kyiv Independent, tweeted.