The network is talking again about Putin's 'double': the reason was one detail

Social media users are discussing a video of Vladimir Putin's arrival in India for the BRICS summit, seeing signs of a body double in his behavior. The trigger was an episode where the 73-year-old visitor held onto the handrail while descending the stairs. Proponents of the theory considered this 'proof,' also noting changes in his gait and the immobility of one arm. Skeptics pointed out that a double would have been taught to descend correctly, and diplomatic protocol does not require the Indian Prime Minister to greet a guest at the stairs.

Online discussions have resumed about the theory that Russian leader Vladimir Putin uses body doubles. The trigger was a video of his arrival in India for the BRICS summit. Users noticed that the 73-year-old visitor held onto the handrail while descending the airplane stairs in New Delhi. Proponents of the theory considered this 'proof' — one commenter claimed this was already the tenth double, as the original supposedly never holds onto the railing. Others noticed changes in his gait and the immobility of one arm, and also found it suspicious that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not personally greet the guest at the stairs. However, as the article notes, diplomatic protocol does not obligate the head of government to meet at the plane, and skeptics rightly pointed out that a double would certainly be taught to descend the stairs correctly. Rumors about the use of doubles have surrounded Russia's leadership for many years, especially intensifying after the invasion of Ukraine. In March 2025, similar discussions arose after a trip to the Kursk region, and in May, suspicions were fueled by an episode at a meeting with a former teacher. Ukrainian intelligence previously stated that there are prepared doubles, but no direct evidence was presented, and the Kremlin denied these claims. The article concludes that there is no real confirmation of a substitution in India.