Putin’s Signature Walk: Why Russian President Putin’s Right Hand Remains Still While Walking

Russian President Vladimir Putin is one of the most scrutinised political figures in the world today. From his tenure as a KGB intelligence officer to his controversial decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Putin’s actions have captivated global attention. International sanctions, reports about his health, and his defiance of Western criticism have only amplified public curiosity about his every move. Among the many peculiarities noted by observers is his unusual walking style, a gait where his right arm remains mostly still while his left swings freely.

The “Gunslinger’s Gait”

Experts attribute Putin’s distinctive walk to his past KGB training. Dubbed the “gunslinger’s gait,” this asymmetrical arm movement is widely understood as a product of weapons training. A 2015 study published in the British Medical Journal cited former Soviet KGB manuals instructing operatives to keep their weapon in the right hand, close to the chest or side, ready to fire immediately if threatened. This posture, repeated over the years, can become an ingrained behavioural habit.

Researchers note that several other high-ranking Russian officials with KGB or military backgrounds, including former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, display a similar reduced right-arm swing, suggesting the walk may also have been emulated within Russia’s elite circles.

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Ruling Out Medical Explanations

Speculation has occasionally suggested that Putin’s unusual gait could be a symptom of Parkinson’s disease, which often causes diminished arm swing. However, medical experts largely dismiss this theory. Putin demonstrates remarkable motor skills: he is a judo black belt, an accomplished swimmer, and maintains fast, tremor-free handwriting. Moreover, the consistency of his gait over decades argues against a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.

A Habit Forged In KGB

Before entering politics, Putin joined the KGB in 1975, receiving intensive weapons and combat training. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel before the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991. During training, operatives were taught to remain constantly alert and ready to draw a weapon, a lesson that, according to experts, manifests today in Putin’s signature arm swing. Observers have noted that Putin has walked in this distinctive style since at least April 2000, during his tenure as Acting President of Russia.

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