02.11.2025 00:11
It was noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin walked without moving his right arm. It was claimed that the former KGB agent could not shake off the habit of keeping his right arm close to his body, a practice that KGB agents adopted to draw their weapons quickly.
The secret behind Russian President Vladimir Putin's strikingly asymmetric walking style is claimed to be rooted in his former role as a KGB agent.
PUTIN'S "GUNSLINGER'S GAIT" THAT DOESN'T MOVE HIS RIGHT ARM
According to observers, Putin hardly moves his right arm while walking, which is interpreted as a habit of an ex-KGB agent being ready to draw his weapon quickly. This behavior is referred to by experts as the "Gunslinger's Gait."
CLAIM OF "AN OLD HABIT FROM KGB DAYS"
This posture, thought to stem from KGB training manuals, is based on the principle of keeping the right hand close to the holster or body to enable agents to reach for their weapons within seconds in the event of a potential threat. Although Putin's walking style has raised some claims of neurological issues, it is noted that this lack of asymmetric arm swinging is largely a professional behavioral adaptation acquired in the KGB, essentially an extension of the agent reflex.
WHAT IS GUNSLINGER'S GAIT?
This behavior is associated with a walking style known as "Gunslinger's Gait," which is indeed believed to be connected to KGB training. The primary aim is to keep the shooting hand (usually the right hand for most agents) close to the holster or pocket, near the body, and less mobile to quickly draw the weapon in a moment of danger.
Some studies suggest that this walking style originates from the instructions outlined in KGB training manuals. According to these instructions, agents were told to keep their weapons close to their chests in their right hands and generally to turn their left sides towards the direction of movement. This posture is said to facilitate the quick drawing of the weapon in the event of an unexpected confrontation.
The asymmetric arm swinging (less swinging of the right arm) style has been distinctly observed in the walking of Russian President and former KGB agent Vladimir Putin. While this was initially associated with neurological issues such as Parkinson's disease, most subsequent studies have concluded that it is a behavioral adaptation acquired through KGB training.
Therefore, this habit is considered a training practice employed by KGB agents to enable them to draw their weapons quickly.