Putin Health Scare: Kremlin Leaked Video Shows Russian President Coughing Uncontrollably

Vladimir Putin's health status has received an unexpected and troubling update from the most unlikely source. A leaked Kremlin video shows the Russian president coughing uncontrollably on camera, fuelling fresh speculation about just how ill he might really be. The footage emerged only days after Putin was seen in another secret recording where he appears extremely sick and exhausted.

Putin Caught Coughing Uncontrollably in Leaked Kremlin Video

The now-deleted video was aired on 8 March as part of Vladimir Putin's tribute for International Women's Day. In the footage, the Russian leader clearly struggles as he tries to finish his speech, covering his face as he erupts in a series of shaky coughs.

At one point, he turns to the camera crew and tells them that he has 'a tickle in my throat' and that he 'almost coughed' in the early part of the speech. Putin even admits that he had to speak 'a lot today' before erupting in a series of coughs. It sounded serious enough for someone off-screen to ask if he needed a glass of water.

However, Putin is clearly determined to finish. He brushes aside the crew's concern and says that they should 'continue' and 'get to work'. The leader then resumes reading his remarks for all women and says he is 'sincerely happy to congratulate you on International Women's Day'.

The video was initially aired on official state channels and social media platforms before being pulled by censors, who quickly replaced it with a sanitised and edited version. Although censors were quick to act, the first video still made its rounds on social media and had people wondering about Putin's health status.

Rumours, 'Death Mask' Footage And A Fragile Public Image

This isn't the first time that Putin has appeared sickly and unwell in social media. Back in 2022, there were rumours that the Russian president might be suffering from Parkinson's disease after he was repeatedly seen struggling to stay still in multiple public engagements. Most notably, he appeared to be swaying back and forth while presenting filmmaker Nikola Mikhalkov with a State Prize at the Kremlin.

Several more recent appearances seemed to show Putin's fragile state. In August 2025, the Russian president was seen limping while walking down the stairs of his presidential aeroplane as he met U.S. President Donald Trump for peace talks. He also appeared to have large, swollen veins on his hand during a public event in Russia, leading to speculations that Putin might be suffering from high blood pressure.

Earlier this week, leaked footage from the Kremlin also features Putin appearing more sickly, to the point that his appearance is being referred to as a 'death mask'. In the footage, the leader looks exhausted and haggard, with sagging facial features and tired eyes that make him appear much older than he truly is.

For now, Putin has not addressed his health status, considering that the world leader wants to present himself as a strong, healthy man who is still very much capable of leading a country. Nevertheless, the leaked footage has once again ignited concerns about the president's true health status.