Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the Security Council via video link at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia October 20, 2023.
Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMOSCOW, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The Kremlin on Tuesday denied a report that President Vladimir Putin was ill, and laughed off persistent rumours that he used body doubles to cover for him in public appearances.
The spokesman laughed in response to a further question about body doubles, and denied that Putin had any.
Putin, a judo enthusiast who has long cultivated an "action man" image, turned 71 on Oct. 7.
In a 2020 interview, Putin denied longstanding rumours that he uses body doubles, although he said he had been offered the chance to use one in the past for security reasons.
Persons:
Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov, Putin, Peskov, Mark Trevelyan, Gareth Jones
Organizations:
Security, Kremlin, Sputnik, Rights, Russian Telegram, Thomson
Locations:
Moscow, Russia, China