Have you ever wondered if the Vladimir Putin you see on TV is truly the man himself? Speculation about Putin using body doubles has swirled for years, often alongside whispers of his ill health. Now, a former MI6 chief, Sir Richard Dearlove, has “certainly” confirmed the theory, stating it’s a “normal security measure” for someone as high-profile as Putin.
Ukrainian secret service agencies have long reported that doubles make many of Putin’s public appearances, especially due to growing assassination fears. With the war in Ukraine intensifying risks and demonstrating Kyiv’s ability to strike deep into Russian territory, the Kremlin is reportedly tightening security. Sir Richard suggests doubles are vital for outdoor events or places where security can’t be fully controlled, like a car factory visit or a children’s playground – scenarios vulnerable to drone attacks.
While close-contact diplomacy would likely feature the real Putin, less critical public outings are perfect for a stand-in. This isn’t unprecedented in history; despots like Stalin, Saddam Hussein, and Fidel Castro famously used decoys. Even wartime leaders like Winston Churchill and Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery employed doubles for propaganda or strategic deception.
Adding weight to these claims, a Japanese TV network (TBS) used AI facial recognition on Putin’s appearances. Their analysis found only a 53% match between the Putin at the Red Square parade and the one who inspected the Crimean Bridge, suggesting “not matching” in expert terms. Another appearance in Mariupol only scored a 40% match. These assessments strongly point to at least two body doubles being used. Moscow dismisses these claims as conspiracy theories, but the intelligence and technological analysis suggest otherwise. The question remains: who are we really seeing?
Source: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/15786961/putin-body-doubles-dodge-assassins/
