Russian President Vladimir Putin is recognized for so many things, from politics to lifestyle, but there’s something about his walking style that has got many talking for years.

He is widely known for his association with Russian oligarchs, extravagant and cool lifestyle, however, his right arm catches attention anytime he walks or is seen performing his presidential and diplomatic duties.

He has been in the news for the past weeks following his invasion of his sister country, Ukraine.

Putin claimed his actions were necessary to defend the Russian-speakers in Ukraine, especially those in the two self-declared republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, which left Ukrainian control in 2014.

Even though his actions have cost many lives and have forced millions of citizens out of the country, his military is still in the country, rubbing more salt to their sore.

The entire world (except his allies) has condemned his actions, including powerful leaders like President Joe Bident, Emmanuel Macron, and Justin Trudeau. Justin recently described Putin’s actions as neocolonialism.

But Putin is still adamant and hell-bent on achieving his purpose in Ukraine, even if it will cost more lives.

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What happened to Vladimir Putin’s right arm?

Now, moving away from his recent controversy, what is wrong with Putin’s right arm? Many people have repeatedly asked this question.

A new video that recently went viral on YouTube has got people dissection the issue with his arms. But two major issues were raised.

The majority think it’s either the start of Parkinson’s disease or has something to do with his KGB background.

Another user thinks Putin has had a stroke. “He’s had a stroke, and it’s likely he has vision loss in the opposite eye, damage to the brain in the left frontal cortex. So approach him on the left when you remove him,” BigBandLittleClub claimed.

Parkinson’s disease

Many YouTube commentators linked his walking balance to Parkinson’s disease.

For those who are unaware of this disease, it is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Its symptoms start gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand.

But some suggested that it isn’t a sign of Parkinson’s and that it could be something else.

“Not only his right arm but also the muscles of his right lips and right leg show weaker than those on the left. He has unsteady walking gait. Two fingers on his right hand are stucked and can’t naturally be straight without his attention.

If he is taking Parkinson’s drugs, he must check with his doctors for the right drugs and right doses to avoid side effects such as paranoia and other serious adverse effects,” YouTube user Hien Nga Nguyen said.

Josh explains: “As someone with a Parkinsonian syndrome, I very much doubt it’s related to PD. The amount of movement that’s there betrays it, as with PD your arm just kind of hangs ‘dead’ while in movement but he appears to be restraining the movement.

There’s also no telltale tremor in his hand, nor dyskenesia of the muscles causing spasms or ticks. IMHO, he’s forcing the behavior, probably because he’s strapped, as a result of KGB training.”

User Benny Hill suggested: “Arms swinging in rhytm of a walking is natural and the way it is ment to be. One or both arms not swinging in such a rhytm reveales impaired or damaged neuro system.

Whether it is neuro impairement or result of former injury in his case I don`t know, however I noticed this in some people in work and friends around me and yes, you can clearly say that they motorics is impaired.

One girl even have a slight difficulty to operate mouth and toungue muscle resulting in very mildly impaired speech, while her intelect abilities remain functioning normally. Also, lets not forget that Putin is 69 years old and for his age he is still in great physical and mental state.”

KGB Background

Other users suggested that his KGB background could be the cause.

“The most likely explanation to me is that he does it because he thinks it makes him look like a badass. KGB training called for armed agents to keep their firing hand close to their side when walking, so many assume that it’s because of his time in the KGB, but Putin doesn’t always walk like this.

Additionally, there are a few people in Putin’s circle that also walk like this sometimes, and some of them weren’t even in the KGB. I think it just comes back to him thinking it looks cool, which is why he often has himself filmed walking at length. It’s the same reason he often has himself filmed “winning” judo matches, riding horses without a shirt, and doing other things that he perceives as badass,” Mark said.

TheYizuman wrote: “No, it’s no disease. He’s KGB trained and he keeps a hidden sidearm with him at all times ready to whip it out at a moment’s notice in order to defend himself or commit an offense action if need be.”

“If i recall it correctly, it’s not that he has some damn parkinson’s disease, he has been trained to keep his right arms to not move at all as if the situation turned upside down his right arm is much closer to his pocket to which he can quickly grab a firearm compare to those that swings both of their arms when walking,” DANVXT added his voice.

Meanwhile, a commentator shared his experience on how he has a similar issue with Putin.

Narrating how he ended up walking like Putin, Vindaven wrote: “I have the same exact issue from a rotator cuff issue. I had my right shoulder dislocate and tear from behind (from a fall backwards. Injured once from soccer, and again from Jiujitsu).

Now when I walk my right arm does not move. It is also difficult keeping my right arm lifted for long periods of time (short amount of time is fine, it just fatigues quickly… like if I am shaving my head I will eventually have to switch hands or support my right arm with my left).

When not wearing a sports jacket you may see the same feature I have if it is the same issue. His right shoulder would slump downwards more than his left. It would not be noticeable while he wears a sports jacket.

But, like him, I always blame it on wanting to keep my gun safe from being grabbed (law enforcement) and nearby in case I need it quickly.”

Another user claimed Putin’s right arm was caused by an injury sustained from football.

“It’s a football injury from 1994 in Turku, Finland. Caused by the former Archbishop of Turku, John Vikström, 90yo. Happened during a friendship town match between Turku and St. Petersburg while Putin was the Mayor of St. Petersburg,” user lumi hanki claimed.

In your opinion, what could be the issue with Putin’s right arm? Watch the full video below.