Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a gathering with members of the Safety Council through video hyperlink on the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia October 20, 2023. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool through REUTERS/File Photograph Acquire Licensing Rights
MOSCOW, Oct 24 (Reuters) – The Kremlin on Tuesday denied a report that President Vladimir Putin was unwell, and laughed off persistent rumours that he used physique doubles to cowl for him in public appearances.
“All the things is ok with him, that is completely one other pretend,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated when requested about an unsourced report by a Russian Telegram channel, picked up by some Western media, that the president had suffered a critical well being episode on Sunday night.
The spokesman laughed in response to an extra query about physique doubles, and denied that Putin had any.
“This belongs to the class of absurd info hoaxes that a complete collection of media focus on with enviable tenacity. This evokes nothing however a smile,” Peskov stated.
Putin, a judo fanatic who has lengthy cultivated an “motion man” picture, turned 71 on Oct. 7. He maintains an intensive schedule of conferences and public appearances, lots of them televised.
His current programme included a go to to China final week, with stop-offs in two Russian cities on the best way again.
In a 2020 interview, Putin denied longstanding rumours that he makes use of physique doubles, though he stated he had been provided the possibility to make use of one previously for safety causes.
Reporting by Reuters
Writing by Mark Trevelyan
Modifying by Gareth Jones
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
