Next News Network

People spotted unusual blotches on the cheeks of Russian President Vladimir Putin after he skipped an annual hockey game that he usually attends.

The blotches appeared to be masked with make up and the pictures come as rumors swirl around his health. Watch the clip below and see for yourself.

The Kremlin has denied all rumors surrounding the Russian Leader’s health.

“I wish you good luck in your ice battles and all the best,” Putin said before the event. “And as they say, ‘May the best win.’”

Putin has been well known to like the annual game and has even played in it, but this year he skipped it. The Night Hockey League that hosts it was set up in 2011 and is played by former NHL stars, oligarchs, and politicians.

A regional Russian news site, Kuban News reported that “it had been expected that Vladimir Putin would also play for Legends of Hockey, but in early May, the press secretary of the president of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Peskov, announced that the head of state would not take part in the game.”

“It is only the second time in the history of the gala matches since 2012 that the president is missing this game,” the outlet continued. “In 2013, he held a symbolic face-off and watched the match from the stands.”

Many believe that him missing the game is because of reported recent health issues and others point to security concerns.

Putin is a fan of ice hockey and often pointed to his love and participation in the sport as a reason for his longevity.

“You extend your life, you make it of better quality and deeper meaning,” he said, according to East2West.

Putin’s health has become the target of speculation in recent months as he was seen strangely grabbing a table in a video from his meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. You can watch the clip below.

The White House has not yet commented on the rumors of Putin’s health.

In a video that seems to mirror something we would see Biden do, Putin appears to hold his hand to his chest after shaking someone’s hand that isn’t there.

Former UK Member of Parliament Louise Mensch has said previously that “Putin has Parkinson’s” and there have been other stories of Putin meeting with cancer doctors.

The Next News Network previously reported on the money the U.S. is sending to Ukraine to help them against Russia. You can read that here.

Do you think Putin is in good health?