WARNING: This article contains images and footage some readers may find distressing
The man dubbed the 'Russian Popeye' because of his artificially pumped-up arms has left fans seriously concerned, with many urging him to seek medical attention. Take a look at his concerning physique below:
Kirill Tereshin, who goes by the name Ruki Bazuki on social media, has been likened to the cartoon character after injecting petroleum jelly into his arms to give himself gigantic 'muscles'.
While he’s proved popular online, amassing over 950,000 followers on TikTok, a number of fans have expressed concern over his health in recent clips.
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The 25-year-old from Russia has undergone numerous corrective surgeries, including one last year to remove lumps of hardened jelly and ‘dead muscle’ from his biceps.
After being warned by doctors that he could face amputation or even death, he said: "I bulked up my arms when I was 20 due to my own stupidity. I did not think about the consequences."
But despite the procedures, it appears as if his arms are still suffering the effects of the injections as his muscles continue to remain extremely swollen.
In recent clips, the internet sensation carries out dance routines with his partner, while in others he flexes his ‘muscles’ and appears to make light of his bulging biceps.
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Dozens of fans have since taken to the comments section to urge Tereshin to seek further medical help.
“Get some professional help before it's too late… SERIOUSLY!” wrote one, while another simply said: “Go to the hospital.”
A third chimed in: “Popeye the sailor man... On a serious note they really are gonna pop.”
Speaking after performing the initial corrective surgery in 2019, Dr Melnikov from Sechenov Moscow State Medical University, said: "Petroleum jelly is not designed for injection, only external application.
"Kirill injected about three litres into each arm. It saturated the muscle tissues, blocked blood flow.
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"As a result the tissue dies and gets replaced with a scar which is as tough as a tree, you can even knock on it and hear the usual sound.”
The doctor continued: "Petroleum jelly affects the whole body, kidneys in particular. I think Kirill did not fully realise the consequences of what he had been doing."
Although the surgeon removed some of this material, he was only able to operate on one arm.
Tereshin went in for a further procedure in 2021, and still faces more operations in the future.
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The TikToker expressed regret over the injections at the time, saying that he was ‘really worried’ about the operation on his arm.
"I should have thought about this earlier, I know,” he said, “I blame myself, I know I'm guilty."
Daisy Phillipson