Vladimir Putin appears to have IV track marks on the back of his hand which is reigniting rumours that he is battling cancer.
The Russian president was spotted having the marks on his right hand in a recent propaganda video.
In the clip, released by the Russian Ministry of Defence, he is seen grasping a soldier's arm while visiting a boot camp in the Ryazan region.
The mysterious blemish is clearly seen on the Kremlin leader's hand in screenshots taken from the video, tweeted by Kyiv Post journalist Jason Jay Smart.
Referring to "Putin's health" in capital letters, the journalist goes on to suggest the Kremlin has been trying to cover up the marks.
"Videos released by Government news show what could be track marks, from IVs, on the hand of Putin," he wrote.
"For the same event, the Kremlin released two videos: One with tons of watermarks, making the hand harder to see, the other without any shot of his hand."
Putin, 70, inspected the training ground in western Russia where he put on a show of apparent strength by firing a sniper rifle at a target.
He was taken on a tour of their living quarters, observed new conscripts carrying out combat exercises, and asked if they had any concerns.
The video was shared by Zvezda, a Russian state-owned nationwide TV channel run by the Russian Ministry of Defence.
It has not been confirmed whether the marks on Putin's hand resulted from intravenous treatment.
The mark could be "just a weird angle of bulgy veins", according to another theory suggested by Tom Warner.
But the former Ukraine correspondent also highlighted Putin's "puffy" face and hands which he put down to a "long-term steroid use" without evidence.
Other recent cancer rumours claim Putin is weakening and that his nuclear threats stem from the pain he is facing.
While separate videos have shown the Kremlin leader with hand and leg tremors, sparking theories he has Parkinson's disease.
In his speech in Red Square, Putin said: "We have become stronger because we are together. Truth is behind us, and in truth is strength which means victory. Victory will be ours."
Further rumours claim Putin has already tried to detonate a nuke but that his plans were "sabotaged."
An insider speculated either Kremlin officials are "sabotaging" his plans to use atomic weapons or there are technical issues.
It follows a series of NOTAM messages (Notice to air missions) in recent days and warnings from linked Russian navigation indicating tests or live firing drills.
Meanwhile, further claims suggest Putin ordered two nuclear missile tests which ultimately did not take place.
“[Putin’s] decision on the use of tactical nuclear weapons [in the Ukraine conflict] would no doubt face resistance," expert Valery Solovey said.
