As Vladimir Putin's health deteriorates due to cancer, intelligence sources reveal that the Russian leader is employing a team of body doubles for public appearances he cannot miss, National Enquirer claimed in its latest issue.
Former KGB agent Sergei Zhirnov, who attended the Red Flag Institute with the beleaguered leader, believes Putin recently utilized a stand-in.
Zhirnov claims that on February 21, a frail and coughing Putin, 70, delivered a speech. However, just one day later in Moscow, a healthier-looking doppelganger with a "different voice" appeared. Zhirnov highlights the fact that the substitute had a noticeably wider face, as if he had suddenly bloated within 24 hours.
General SVR, a TV station, reported that another double was seen at an aviation plant in Eastern Siberia. This stand-in exhibited "emotions" uncharacteristic of Putin, who is reportedly suffering from both pancreatic cancer and rapidly progressing Parkinson's disease as his invasion of Ukraine continues into its second year.
Earlobe analysis of the men impersonating Putin suggests at least three different body doubles are being used. Ukrainian government advisor Anton Gerashchenko maintains that photos of Putin making unexpected visits to the Ukrainian city of Mariupol and Sevastopol in Crimea feature different individuals.
Gerashchenko points out discrepancies in the neck and chin areas of the men presented as Putin. Another analyst remarks, "Evidently the weakest double was sent to Mariupol. They forgot to put in his jaw."