Dark Mark on Putin’s Hand Raises Questions

During a video address to schoolchildren and students marking the start of the school year, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared with a distinct dark spot on his left hand. According to three doctors interviewed by The Moscow Times, it is most likely a bruise resulting from an intravenous injection.

The doctors explained that an injection into a vein on the hand, rather than the standard elbow crease, may be performed when the elbow veins have been overused during long term therapy, are inflamed following catheterization or when an urgent procedure is required.

Furthermore, an analysis of footage released by the Kremlin Press Service suggests that some of the videos were recorded in advance. The same mark was also visible in a greeting to miners released two days earlier.

In contrast, the mark was not visible in footage from Putin’s meeting with Kazakh President Kassym Jomart Tokayev on 1 September or his meeting with teachers on 29 August.

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