An astonishing claim has come to light after the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence suggested Vladimir Putin had three body doubles and ‘may even be dead’ as he questions where the Russian President is. Major General Kyrylo Budanov further claimed the body doubles had undergone plastic surgery to look more like the Russian President. Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, he said the Ukraininan secret service had previously detected body doubles standing in for Putin on a number of “special occasions”.
But he now claims the use of body doubles has increased, with it becoming “usual practice” for the Russian leader.
“We know specifically about three people that keep appearing, but how many there are, we don’t know,” Major General Budanov said.
They all had plastic surgery to look alike,” he said.
However, Mr Budanov claims the one thing “that gives them away” is their height.
“It’s visible in videos and pictures. Also gesturing, body language and earlobes, since they are unique for every person,” he added.
“The big question is whether the real Putin still exists?”
Rumours the Russian President may be using a body double first began swirling in July, after the 69-year-old arrived in Tehran for a summit looking more awkward, energetic, and animated than usual.
“Please look at the moment of Putin’s exit from the plane. Is it Putin at all?” Major General Kyrylo Budanov told 1+1.
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There have been recent rumours that Putin, who is said to have lost 8kg in recent months, may have terminal cancer or Parkinson’s disease.
The 69-year-old is said to be suffering from “constant nausea and coughing fits”, according to the Telegram channel General SVR which monitors the leader’s health.
“Both Putin himself and his relatives, as well as doctors, are worried about the president’s coughing fits, as well as constant nausea and lack of appetite due to medication and a specific diet (for) oncology,” the website stated.
“In the past few months, Putin has lost 8kg, and those around the president are worried the thinness and persistent cough that is noticeable in progress will be regarded by the elites as a sign of the leader’s rapidly deteriorating health.”
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General SVR reported: “Both Putin himself and his relatives, as well as doctors, are worried about the president’s coughing fits, as well as constant nausea and lack of appetite due to medication and a specific diet [for] oncology.
“In the past few months, Putin has lost eight kilograms, and those around the president are worried that the thinness and persistent cough that is noticeable in progress will be regarded by the elites as a sign of the leader’s rapidly deteriorating health.”
They also claimed that the Russian leader had “an attack of severe coughing” during a video conference with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.
They said: “After Shoigu was disconnected from participating in the video conference, Putin started talking to other representatives of the leadership of the military bloc, but could not continue due to an attack of severe coughing, so much so that the meeting had to be stopped, and the president needed medical help.”