A Russian bodybuilder known as “Russian Popeye” has been warned he may lose both arms after years of injecting a petroleum-jelly-based substance into his biceps to make them appear massive. Medical experts say the ongoing damage caused by those injections has led to dangerous complications — raising the prospect of surgical amputation if the condition cannot be reversed.
The man, 29-year-old Kirill Tereshin, became famous several years ago for his unusually large arms, which he achieved not through traditional weight training but by repeatedly injecting a substance often referred to as synthol. The effect produced dramatic, cartoonish biceps that even earned him the nickname “Russian Popeye.” Over time, however, the injections reportedly led to severe health problems. According to recent reports he now suffers from serious infections and tissue damage — conditions that threaten the viability of his limbs.
Sources close to the case say doctors believe the structural damage to Tereshin’s arms may now be too extensive to repair. Surgeons have reportedly told him that the window for effective intervention may already have passed. The delay in treating the injuries is said to stem from the severity of the infection and the risk associated with operating on tissue that has been compromised for years.
Public reaction has been intense. Images circulating online show Tereshin’s arms in a visibly deteriorated state. Some followers have expressed disgust and horror, while others warn that his condition is a grim example of the dangers of body modification and unregulated cosmetic procedures. The story has resonated far beyond bodybuilding circles as a cautionary tale about the long-term risks associated with appearance-driven choices.
In recent months the narrative around Tereshin has shifted. While in earlier years he flaunted his unnaturally large biceps as a badge of fame, now doctors describe his limbs as “rotting” and “dangerously infected.” Medical professionals involved in the case reportedly face difficult decisions: any attempt at reconstructive surgery would require skin grafts plus vascular, plastic, and reconstructive surgeons working in coordination — but only once the infection is completely under control. Given the progression of damage, it remains unclear whether such a procedure could ever succeed.
Tereshin first drew global attention in 2017, when images and videos of his enlarged arms began circulating online. His appearance was widely compared to the fictional cartoon character known for exaggerated forearms. At the time he presented synthol injections as a quick way to achieve muscular size without extensive gym training or discipline. But over several years the repeated injections caused what doctors call fibrosis — a thickening and scarring of tissue — followed by necrosis, a process where cells die and bodily tissue decays.
In 2019, medical professionals performed surgery to remove some damaged tissue after complications began surfacing. Surgeons reportedly extracted several pounds of scarred muscle and the petroleum-based oil he had injected. Despite that intervention, the underlying damage persisted, and according to insiders the current infection has worsened to the point that the arms are now considered at high risk of being lost entirely.
This turn of events has triggered concern among physicians, body-modification critics, and medical advocates. Experts warn that Tereshin’s case is not an isolated instance of cosmetic surgery or modification gone wrong. They emphasise the importance of awareness and caution, particularly in situations where chemicals are injected into the body and long-term consequences are uncertain.
For his part, Tereshin has reportedly reacted to the news with a mixture of defiance and perhaps denial. As recently as a few days ago he posted a video online claiming that reports of near-fatal necrosis and potential amputation were false. He said that medical tests had “gone really well,” that his arms were “well enough for skin graft surgery,” and urged people not to believe what he called “false information.” He reportedly promised that a skin graft operation would take place soon, casting doubt on media reports claiming he faces imminent amputation.
Even so, medical professionals involved in his treatment warn that the risk to his arms remains severe. The longer the infection and tissue decay go untreated, the less likely it is that surgical repair can restore function. Some doctors suggest that preventative amputation may become the only safe way to stop further spread of infection, particularly if blood circulation cannot be restored.
The story has sparked broader debate over the role of social media, influencer culture and body-modification trends. Critics note that Tereshin’s dramatic appearance once drew international attention, likes, followers, and even admiration — but now those same visuals have become warnings. Some medical commentators argue that unregulated cosmetic enhancements, especially those relying on injections of foreign substances, should be subject to stricter regulation or outright prohibition.
What remains uncertain is what Tereshin himself will decide. If he chooses to proceed with reconstructive surgery, medical experts say it will be a long, painful, and uncertain road. If not, the prospect of losing both arms looms increasingly likely. Either way, the case sends a stark message about the risks of chasing extreme physical ideals — and the potentially devastating price.
