The Kremlin dismissed rumours about President Vladimir Putin’s health on Tuesday, claiming he was healthy and well.
In a routine call with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also disputed the president’s use of body doubles, calling it a “absurd hoax.”
Reporters questioned Peskov on Putin’s health after an unsourced story by a Russian Telegram channel, which was picked up by some Western media, that the president had a significant health crisis on Sunday evening.
Putin, a judo fanatic with a long history of projecting a “action man” image, turned 71 on October 7. He has a busy schedule of meetings and public engagements, many of which are televised.
His most recent itinerary includes a trip to China last week, with stops in two Russian towns along the route.
