Vladimir Putin: Here’s why the Russian leader baths in antler blood

Since the invasion of Ukraine, there has been renewed interest in the many eccentricities of the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin. Now, reports claim he soaks in the blood of antlers for health reasons.

Blood baths

A report by Russian investigative news outlet, Proekt, reveals that the unusual bath ritual was introduced to Putin by his defence minister Sergei Shoigu. Although not scientifically proven, the Russian leader is said to engage in this weird ritual to improve his cardiovascular system.

According to the report, antler baths, which have become popular among the country’s elites, also helps to rejuvenate the skin while boosting male potency as well.

Unsubstantiated reports claim Shoigu accompanied the Russian president to the Siberian town of Altai - home to the red deer, whose antlers are purported to be therapeutic.

DailyMail cites one farm in the Atlai mountain as stating on its website that:

Extract from red deer antlers acts as a strong tonic, especially for men's potency. It strengthens the body's bones, muscles, teeth, eyesight and hearing, cures pleurisy, pneumonia, asthma, joint pain, osteoporosis, and problems with the spine.

Animal rights activists say extract antlers from deer is as painful as pulling out a human finger.

Putin’s health

The investigative piece also casts doubts over Putin’s health, with claims that he may be hiding a cancer diagnosis. Proekt, which operates outside Russian after being banned in the country, claims the Putin travels with an average of nine medics, with a thyroid cancer specialist always part of the entourage. According to the report:

There is indeed talk in medical circles about the president's health problems.

The report also suggested that Putin has disappeared from public view for at least five times in recent years on medically related absences.

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