Vladimir Putin Utilizing Body Double In Public Engagements Following Wagner Group Rebellion

Amidst the aftermath of the Wagner Group armed rebellion, an expert has made a startling revelation that Russian President Vladimir Putin is utilizing a body double during his public appearances. After the failed military uprising by the mercenaries, Putin was seen engaging with crowds in the southern Russian republic of Dagestan, shaking hands with the public, meeting a schoolgirl, and posing for photos. However, Western journalists and Russian military bloggers, including Igor Girkin, expressed skepticism about the behavior displayed in video clips, prompting Matthew Wyman, a senior lecturer at the UK's Keele University, to assert that the person seen in the footage was not Vladimir Putin but a body double.

Wyman described the departure from Putin's usual patterns as "extraordinary" and emphasized that it was "totally inconceivable" for the Russian leader to personally attend such engagements. He stated, "You are not going to put yourself in any groups of unfamiliar people at all," citing Putin's highly cautious approach in selecting individuals allowed near him. The expert further pointed out that Putin's body language did not align with his past behavior as someone who refrains from displaying public emotions, according to Hindustan Times.

The reports of Putin employing body doubles were previously dismissed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as "yet another lie" back in April. However, the expert's claims raise questions about the authenticity of Putin's recent public appearances, considering his reported strict quarantine measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.