Kremlin refutes health speculations surrounding President Putin

The Kremlin has officially quashed recent online rumors concerning the health of President Vladimir Putin, asserting that he remains hale and hearty. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov firmly rebuffed claims of body doubles, branding them as an "absurd hoax."

Speculations surrounding President Putin's well-being emerged following an unverified report from a Russian Telegram channel, which subsequently garnered attention from certain Western media outlets, alleging a serious health incident on a recent Sunday evening.

Despite his 71st birthday on October 7th, Vladimir Putin is a judo fanatic and presents himself as a dynamic and vigorous leader. His calendar is full of meetings and public engagements, many of which are broadcast across the country.


Notably, he recently traveled to China, with brief visits in two Russian towns on the way back, displaying his unshakable commitment to his duties.

In a candid 2020 interview, President Putin directly addressed the long-standing rumors about the use of body doubles, asserting that he has never employed such a practice. He did acknowledge that he was once offered the option of employing body doubles for security reasons but declined.

As recently as this April, Dmitry Peskov adamantly declared that any discussions of body doubles were baseless and reiterated that President Putin enjoys enviable health. The Kremlin's unequivocal dismissal of these speculations and President Putin's energetic public appearances underscore that he is not only in good health but also unwavering in his dedication to his duties.