The Kremlin has denied that Vladimir Putin uses body doubles.
The Kremlin had denied claims that Vladimir Putin uses body doubles
The tyrant's mouthpiece Dmitry Peskov has rubbished speculation that Putin is in poor health and spends his days hiding in nuclear bunkers after a spate of rumours.
It has been claimed that Putin is suffering from cancer as well as the early symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Speaking to children and teenagers at an educational event screened on state TV, Peskov said: "Perhaps you had heard that Putin has multiple doubles, who work instead of him while he is sitting inside a bunker.
"This is yet more lies. This is one more lie.
"You see our president. He is just as he used to be - mega-active."
The spokesman added: "Those who work next to him struggle to keep up. One might only feel envious about his level of energy.
"His health - you can only wish it for yourself. Of course, he never sat in any bunker - this is lies, too. And you see it, this is obvious."
A number of figures have claimed that Putin uses body doubles and former spy Sergei Zhirnov - who claims to have served alongside the despot in the KGB - is convinced that the doppelgangers are being used to hide his weakening control in the Kremlin.
Zhirnov - who is now exiled in France - said: "He has a totally different shape of eye orbits, a totally different head, absolutely different wrinkles, a different voice."