Vladimir Putin’s latest appearance sparks speculation over health concerns once again

Just a day after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, he headed to occupied Crimeato celebrate the ninth anniversary of its annexation from Ukraine.

But the visit sparkednew speculationsover the Russian leader’s health as he was reported ‘limping’ on arrival to the peninsula’s largest city Sevastopol.

Vladimir Putin visited the annexed Crimea

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Crimea on Saturday to celebrate the ninth anniversary of its annexation from Ukraine despite being issued an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday over alleged war crimes in the Eastern European country.

Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, wrote on Twitter:

A visibly limping Putin arrived in occupied Crimea Russian sources report Putin's visit to Sevastopol to 'celebrate' the anniversary of the annexation of Crimea. Which, by the way, will be one of the items on Putin's list of accusations at The Hague Court.

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Meanwhile, Ukrainian media has recently reported that Russian forces in the annexed Crimean peninsula could be ‘preparing for a possible so-called forced evacuation’.

Since its annexation, Crimea has seen human rights violations and a crackdown on dissent by Russian authorities, according to a report by Amnesty International.

Vladimir Putin was allegedly limping during his Crimea visit

Gerashchenko’s claim that Vladimir Putin was ‘visibly limping’ during his visit sparked new speculations about the Russian President’s heath.

His condition has been questioned in recent months, with armchair diagnoses of the Russian leader gaining traction since the war began last year.

In the past, social media users and analysts have tried to interpret footage that showed him apparently limping across Red Square, clinging to his desk, and displaying a listless right arm.

Still, Putin's alleged health conditions didn't seem to hinder or impact the course of the war in Ukraine, where the battle between his forces and Ukrainian troops extended throughout major cities, including Kyiv, Odessa, and Kherson.

Most recently, the fight has intensified in Bakhmut in Ukraine's Donetsk region, which has been the site of a months-long battle between Russian and paramilitary forces against Ukrainian troops.

Kyiv also has recently reiterated its commitment to take back Crimea, which was ‘violently and illegally’ annexed by Moscow in 2014.

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Sources used:

- Newsweek: ''Visibly Limping' Putin Visits Crimea Amid ICC Warrant: Ukraine Official'