Kirill Tereshin, 'Russian Popeye' Warned Of Losing Chemical-Filled Arms To Amputation

A 21-year-old Russian bodybuilder and ex-soldier Kirill Tereshin was warned to stop injecting a chemical solution, which he claims is homemade that he injects to make his arms look bigger. He drew attention on social media in recent months as a result of his already unusually large biceps, which he claims are the product of self-applied injections of a site enhancement oil called synthol, reports said Saturday.

While the size of his biceps has led people to refer to him as the "Russian Popeye," doctors have raised concerns that he might one day end up losing his arms if he keeps using the chemical. After he left the army this summer, he started the procedure and in just ten days the size of his biceps increased by about ten inches.

Tereshin recently took to Instagram to admit that his "bazooka arms are about to fall off," and that he was warned by doctors about the risk of becoming paralyzed and eventually having his arms amputated.

He shared several Instagram photos showing his biceps which appeared to be discolored, a possible consequence of his usage of homemade synthol which he claimed he makes using olive oil, lidocaine, and benzyl alcohol.

Despite the warnings from doctors, Tereshin reportedly has no immediate intention of stopping his regular synthol injections, and plans only to stop using the substance on his arms once his currently 23-inch biceps reach their target size of 27 inches, Pulse Headlines reported.

The Daily Mail cited a statement from a leading Russian medical professional who warned of even more grave risks that go beyond amputation and paralysis.

"Not immediately but he very likely faces amputation in the future," said professor Evgeny Lilin, the Daily Mail reported.

"One day abscesses will develop, then inflammation, and he [will be at risk of] a stroke. The bad thing is that already-injected synthol or its equivalent will remain in his muscles for the next five to seven years, even if he stops adding more now," the professor added.

Synthol is said to be a substance manufactured by experts and sold to people who want to do the same as the Russian bodybuilder — increase the size of some part of their bodies. There are several other formulas that not only achieve it, but are also said to make the muscles stronger. However, this liquid, synthol, is not one of them, especially when it is homemade.

The manufacturers commonly prepare the liquid with 85 percent of oil, 7.5 percent lidocaine, and 7.5 percent alcohol. But Tereshin claims he makes his homemade formula with unidentified-amounts of olive oil, lidocaine and benzyl alcohol.

"In order to reach such a size, you need to inject liters into your arms," Tereshin explained.

"I was doing it and getting a fever of up to 40 degrees, I was lying in bed, feeling like I was dying, but then it all turned out fine," he added, according to the Inquistr.

"I would like to get more than one million subscribers on Instagram and to stop working," the 21-year-old bodybuilder said, adding that somebody also reportedly offered to make him an adult film actor and that he was thinking about it.