Vladimir Putin BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.
Vladimir Putin continues to face mounting pressures both domestically and internationally as Russia's war in Ukraine grinds on into its fourth year. The 73-year-old Russian president has been at the center of several significant developments over the past week that paint a picture of a leader struggling with internal challenges and external scrutiny.
Starting with his health, fresh video footage from November 6th captured Putin at a sports hall in Samara where he appeared visibly uncomfortable, standing stiffly near a basketball hoop while discussing vaping restrictions. Multiple observers noted his right hand appeared swollen and sore with prominent bulging veins, while his fists remained tightly clenched throughout the appearance. Ukrainian commentators and social media users have seized on these images, fueling long-standing speculation about potential Parkinson's disease or other undisclosed illnesses, though the Kremlin has offered no official confirmation of any health concerns.
On the political front, Putin faces unprecedented internal instability. According to military analysis from recent reports, a Russian resistance group called the Freedom of Russia Legion, backed by Ukrainian intelligence, has launched devastating sabotage operations across Russian territory. In early November, the group claimed responsibility for destroying dozens of locomotives transporting weapons and ammunition to the front lines, directly crippling the Kremlin's war logistics. More significantly, Putin's inner circle appears to be fracturing. Since August, four of his closest allies, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, have faced demotion, disgrace, or outright hostility from the Kremlin itself, leading analysts to warn of potential larger-scale elite collapse.
Russia's economic situation continues deteriorating. The budget deficit is projected to reach 5.74 trillion rubles by year's end, forcing the government to implement unpopular measures including VAT increases and potential cuts to self-employment tax benefits that currently support 13 million Russians.
Meanwhile, Putin's administration continues pursuing international partnerships. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin recently completed a two-day visit to China, where leaders pledged deeper cooperation on energy, space, and various economic projects, highlighting Russia's strategic pivot eastward as Western sanctions intensify.
Additionally, investigations have revealed that Putin has placed at least 20 relatives in lucrative government positions and state-linked corporations, with findings suggesting nepotism levels potentially exceeding those of Tsarist Russia.
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