Vladimir Putin’s “swollen and sore” hands have sparked speculation that the ageing leader could be suffering from a myriad of health complaints. The Russian president, whose disastrous invasion of Ukraine has been raging for more than three years, addressed loyal supporters at a recent public event.

The 73-year-old displayed bulging veins beneath thin, wrinkled skin on his hands, which he kept firmly clenched at his side as he spoke. The swollen veins could be a sign of phlebitis, which, according to the NHS, is inflammation of a vein near the surface of the skin – a condition that often affects the elderly. As well as old age, other reasons for the condition can be cancer or being overweight.

It is not known if Putin is suffering from any medical complaints, but there have been previous reports that he may have undergone steroid therapy during treatment for cancer.

The Kremlin has never said the president is suffering from any specific health issue. However, it acknowledged in October that he was hospitalised in Moscow following a two-week absence from public life.

Commenting on Putin’s latest appearance, Kyiv’s former interior ministry adviser Anton Gerashchenko questioned the state of Putin’s hands in a social media post, asking: “What’s with Putin’s hands in this video?”

“They look swollen and sore, with veins bulging prominently on one hand,” journalist Dmytro Gordon observed.

Mr Gerashchenko also noted an earlier appearance by the president where he appeared to have two odd points jutting out from the top of his suit.

Putin has also been filmed gripping tables while speaking, with his hands displaying involuntary movements that some interpreted as potential symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

The Russian leader has been rumoured to have undergone cancer treatment several times in 2014, 2020, and 2022.

He is also said to travel with an entourage of doctors to assist him in case of a medical emergency.

“If you watch Putin closely, it’s hard to avoid the suspicion that often some of the appearances you’re seeing are not, in fact, the same person,” Russia expert Keir Giles said.

The Sun reports the expert also noted the stark differences in Putin’s appearance, from looking healthy at one event to looking sick at the next.

He added: “There are some times when he looks really quite frail, bloated, puffy, shaking, having to grip onto the table and only giving very short five-minute speeches even on major public events.

“And then there are times when he appears to bounce back as a much healthier individual who is standing up and speaking for 40 minutes.”