Vladimir Putin’s new 2026 calendar has hit the shelves, but this time, one signature element is missing.
The Russian leader, known for previous calendars where he bared his chest in carefully staged displays of strength and masculinity, has chosen to keep his shirt on this year.
A Shift in Image Amid Health Rumors
In past years, the topless photographs were meant to project virility, power, and a larger-than-life persona.
Fiona Hill, senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, told the New York Times that these images positioned Putin as “this iconic figure, reminding everybody how cool he is, how much in charge he is, how much he’s kind of the living symbol and embodiment of literally everybody’s days.”
But the new calendar reflects a different tone, possibly influenced by persistent rumors surrounding Putin’s health.
Inside the 2026 Calendar
The 12-month calendar features a series of images paired with quotes from Putin’s speeches over the past year.
January depicts him on a snowmobile in a parka with the phrase, “Russia’s border never ends.”
February shows Putin flipping a judo opponent, accompanied by the words, “I am a dove, but I have very powerful iron wings.”
Despite the change in imagery, the calendars are priced affordably—around £2.65—and are widely distributed throughout Russia, from classrooms and post offices to government offices and private homes.
Public Concern Over Putin’s Health
At 73, Putin’s health has become the subject of intense speculation.
Earlier this month, a handshake with Yekaterina Leshchinskaya, a 22-year-old chair of the Russian Healthy Fatherland movement, sparked viral attention.
Observers noted bulging veins and unusual fist-clenching in his right hand as he met her to discuss potential e-cigarette bans.
Footage of the encounter circulated on social media platforms and later in Polish media.
Ukrainian commentators suggested that the visible tension in his hands might indicate pain, while media personality Dmytro Gordon remarked, “Putin clenches his hands into something resembling fists.
They look swollen and sore, with veins bulging prominently on one hand.”
Other analysts argue these could simply be normal signs of aging, potentially masked by cosmetic procedures to maintain a youthful appearance after more than 25 years in power.
The Kremlin, however, has dismissed all speculation about Putin’s health as “hoaxes.”
Contrast With Previous Calendar Editions
The 2026 calendar stands in stark contrast to prior years.
The 2024 veterans’ calendar, for instance, famously featured a drawing of a shirtless Putin with rippling biceps in a black ‘Z’ T-shirt, alongside images of Russian special forces attacking the U.S. Capitol in Washington for November.
The illustrations also showed soldiers comforting women, children, and pets—an attempt to portray Russian troops as protectors.
The calendar, created by Moscow illustrator Tatyana Kazantseva, carried a recommended retail price of £40 (4,500 rubles), though it was often sold at a discounted rate of £8.70 (986 rubles) in some stores.
A Changing Symbolism
While past calendars emphasized brute strength and militaristic prowess, the 2026 edition reflects a subtler presentation of Putin.
The shift raises questions about the image he wants to project, especially against the backdrop of ongoing rumors about his health and his continued grip on power until at least 2036.
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