Vladimir Putin’s Odd Appearance In New Year’s Speech Sparks More Online Speculation About His Health

Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s annual New Year’s speech, a customary event in Russia, has sparked discussions on social media in regard to the authenticity of the Russian leader’s appearance. Online commentators questioned whether there might have been some digital manipulation involved in Putin’s televised address.

The tradition of the president’s New Year’s Eve speech, observed across Russia, was initiated by former Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and is broadcast before midnight in each of the country’s 11 time zones.

In his statement on Sunday, Putin expressed that “we can solve the most difficult problems” and emphasized the unified power of the Russian people, stating that “there is no force that can separate us.”

Soon after the speech, online speculation reached a fevered pitch over his appearance.

X user Mykhaïlo Golub posted a video of Putin with a blue circle that highlighted his neck and suggested an anomaly in the alignment of his head and the rest of his body.

User RASSEL, in a post shared by pro-Ukrainian Estonian user Regina Bauer, commented on Putin’s neck and questioned whether he was too lazy to wear a suit or if it was an AI-generated image.

These posts appear to be light-hearted jabs at Putin, and there is currently no evidence to support the claim that Putin did not deliver the speech himself.

In a peculiar moment at his annual televised Q&A session with the nation in December, Putin engaged with an AI version of himself created by a student from St. Petersburg. The AI-generated image and voice of Putin asked the real Russian leader about the existence of his doubles, as reported in Western media, and his stance on artificial intelligence.

Although Putin did not directly mention the conflict in Ukraine in his New Year’s speech, he commended the Russian army and called for unity. The backdrop for his address was the Kremlin, in contrast to the previous year when he was accompanied by soldiers.

Putin asserted that Russia remains resolute in the defense of its national interests, freedom, security, and values. He has announced his intention to run for another presidential term in the future March election, and it is widely anticipated that he will secure victory, which would extend his tenure until 2036.

Leaked U.S. military cables showed that intelligence officials believe that Putin has been battling cancer for years.