Russian President Vladimir Putin has been missing for an extended period, according to Ukraine's intelligence service. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's intelligence, questions Putin's very existence in an interview with Radio Svoboda according to Dagens.se.
In the interview, Budanov states,
"Either he is not alive, or he is in a really bad health condition."
He also speculates that there could be multiple reasons for Putin's absence, including the possibility of him being replaced by a body double.
Budanov refers to a recently published video where Putin looked at his watch on his left wrist and appeared confused when it wasn't there.
Historically, Putin has always worn his watch on his right wrist. "Is this the real Putin?" asks the interviewer, adding another question about Putin's life. "I don't know what to answer you," responds Budanov.
Claims of Body Doubles
This isn't the first time Ukraine has questioned Putin's existence. In another interview, Budanov claimed that it's "common practice" for body doubles to replace the Russian dictator.
"We have identified three individuals who usually appear," said Budanov in an interview with Daily Mail last autumn.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky also questions whether Putin is alive.
"Today, I find it difficult to understand who I should actually turn to and talk to. I am not sure if it's Russia's president who occasionally appears on a screen. I am not sure if he is alive or who is making decisions in Russia," Zelensky told Ukrainian Pravda.
This development has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and speculation, not only in Ukraine but also internationally, about who is actually in charge in Russia and whether Putin is still alive.
