Photo Proof: Cyber Sleuths Claim Images Show Russia Sent Putin Body Double to Meet with North Korean Dictator

Images of Vladimir Putin landing in North Korea have emerged, stirring controversy among critics who claim that the autocrat is being impersonated by a body double.

Knewz.com reported that cyber sleuths have suggested, similar to the Chinese Belt and Road summit in 2023, that the person photographed embracing North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un was one of three Putin look-alikes.

Several photos showing the supposed Russian president and the North Korean leader in an embrace have circulated, leading some to question if the man who disembarked from the presidential plane was indeed Putin.

“Not sure Putin actually went to NK,” one netizen commented on X. “The videos I saw of him today showed that friendly, swollen-headed hugger double he uses to meet civilians.”

Putin has a known aversion to physical contact, a habit highlighted during a 2023 ceremony where he stood 60 feet away from his guests for "sanitary" reasons.

“Wait until the world hears the truth about Putin's double, who has been the face of this failing Kremlin regime since last fall,” another netizen remarked.

In March 2023, Knewz.com reported that Putin allegedly "ordered hundreds" of body doubles following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Since this warrant, Putin’s international visits have significantly decreased.

In August 2023, Putin was reported to attend China’s Belt Road Summit with Xi Jinping. This followed his absence from several international meetings, including the BRICS consortium in South Africa.

Never miss a story — sign up for the Front Page Detectives newsletter. Be on the scene the moment news breaks.

When Putin did appear in China, online sleuths and supposed experts claimed a conspiracy. One source alleged that Putin was so ill he struggled to converse with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Putin had to communicate personally with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite feeling very bad, the Russian President held this conversation, even with some enthusiasm, and after the negotiations, he went on vacation again,” the alleged whistle-blower claimed, adding that Russia’s leadership was turning governance into a circus with Putin look-alikes.

Both Putin and his administration have denied the allegations of using body doubles. Nevertheless, a significant portion of the public remains convinced that the person they see is not the real Putin, believing the Kremlin's supposed deception is headed for a dramatic collapse, which support for a Ukrainian victory would hasten.