Vladimir Putin’s powerful grip can ‘break your hand,’ spokesman says to quell health rumors

President Vladimir Putin is so healthy that his grip can crush bones, a Russian spokesman said Thursday to quell rumors that he is not well.

Mr. Putin will miss an upcoming Federal Security Service meeting and he recently postponed a trip to Kazakhstan, which prompted rumors to circulate online that he is in poor health.

Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a radio station that Mr. Putin was “absolutely” in good health and that his handshake could “break your hand,” The Associated Press reported.

Mr. Putin was last seen publicly during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in Moscow on March 5, AP reported.