A mysterious man by Russian President Vladimir Putin's side during the 77th annual Victory Day has many questioning if Putin has hand-picked his successor.
At Victory Day celebrations on Monday, footage of Putin sat huddled with a man and then filmed later speaking to him during the parade is circulating worldwide.
For a leader that likes his personal space, a mere close conversation is enough to spark successor speculations - and coupled with the fact his public appearances are filled with symbolism, is this a sign the ruler's almost 20-year reign is nearing its end?
Victory Day commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II - with this year's military parade tradition being a chilling parallel to the military operation in Ukraine.
An air force of 77 aircrafts was expected to fly over the Red Square in Moscow in a Z formation - the Russian pro-war symbol of the military invasion of Ukraine - but was cancelled due to bad weather conditions.
But what caught people's eyes instead was 36-year-old Dmitry Kovalev. The pair reportedly sat together and were later seen on a stroll in deep conversation.
"The young man with whom Putin had a long and frank conversation on Red Square is the head of the presidential administration department, Dmitry Kovalev," American race car driver Igor Sushko tweeted. "Rumors immediately began to swirl that he could be Putin's hand-picked successor."
Putin has openly said he's always thinking about who his successor would be, and would do "everything" to make sure the right person gets Russia's support.
"You know, I have linked my entire life, my entire fate, to the fate of my country to such an extent that there isn't a more meaningful goal in my life than the strengthening of Russia," Putin said in a television interview with NBC News.
"If anybody else, and if I see that person - even if that person is critical of some areas of what I have been doing - if I can see that this is an individual who has constructive views, that he or she is committed to this country and is prepared to sacrifice his entire life to this country, not just some years, no matter his personal attitude to me, I will make sure I will do everything to make sure that such people will get support."
Speculation over Putin's potential new successor comes amidst widespread reports Putin is suffering from health problems.
There have numerous reports that Putin has cancer, and claims he has been visited by a thyroid cancer specialist 35 times.
Recent footage of the president shaking uncontrollably has emerged with allegations Putin has Parkinson's disease.
