A man claiming to be Vladimir Putin was photographed swigging champagne and posing for cameras at a Kremlin reception celebrating Russia's Paralympic team this week, just days after their return from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games in Italy. The event on 19 March in Moscow has reignited longstanding conspiracy theories questioning whether the 73-year-old Russian president is even alive, with online sleuths scrutinising his puffy cheeks, unusual gestures and unusually jovial demeanour.
These rumours date back to late October 2023, when a Telegram channel called General SVR, allegedly run by Kremlin insiders, claimed Putin had suffered a fatal heart attack at his Valdai residence. The report alleged his body was stored in a freezer while a 'coup' installed doubles to maintain the facade.
