Did Body Double Pose As Vladimir Putin In Iran? Ukraine Official Speculates

After looking healthier than what was presumed to be his condition during his trip to Tehran in Iran, Ukrainian military officials are accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of using body doubles to make himself look less sick in public.

After seemingly being in better health during his trip to Tehran to speak with the leaders of Iran and Turkey, Maj. Gen. Kyrylo O. Budanov claimed in a media interview in Ukraine that Putin was using body doubles to make himself seem healthier in public appearances, according to the New York Post.

“I will only hint,” he said. “Please look at the moment of Putin’s exit from the plane. Is it Putin at all?”

Putin has had mounting questions regarding his health for months since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, with anti-Putin Telegram channel General SVR claiming that he has hired body doubles and pre-recorded footage of himself at work to make himself seem healthy.

Putin’s first international trip comes as Russia has angered multiple countries and international bodies for the bombing of a seaport in Odesa just as they signed a U.N.-brokered deal to allow Ukrainian grains and foodstuff to be transported through the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, CNBC reported.

“The ink has not had time to dry out, yet there are two vile provocations: attack on a seaport in Odesa and a statement by Russia’s Defense Ministry that Ukraine ports are ‘dangerous for shipping,’” journalist Mykhailo Podolyak said.

“Outrageous. Russia strikes the port city of Odesa less than 24 hours after signing an agreement to allow shipments of agricultural exports. The Kremlin continues to weaponize food. Russia must be held to account,” U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said.

“Striking a target crucial for grain export a day after the signature of Istanbul agreements is particularly reprehensible again demonstrates Russia’s total disregard for international law and commitments,” E.U. foreign policy chief Josep Borrell tweeted.

In spite of such mounting criticism of weaponizing the world food supply for his benefit, Putin still went to Tehran, with many analysts claiming that he was also in the country to inspect drones that Iran would sell to Russia, a charge that Iran denies.