Alleged doubles of Vladimir Putin

Conspiracy theory about Russian President Vladimir Putin's body doubles is based on the alleged instability in the politician's appearance. Supporters of the conspiracy theory believe that the "body doubles" have had surgery to resemble the "original" and point to facial features such as the chin, earlobes and wrinkles on Putin's forehead as evidence, and claim that the body doubles were used because of Putin's allegedly declining health or that they were sent to areas deemed too dangerous for Putin. The theory of Vladimir Putin's body doubles acts as a tool used by Putin's opponents. Amid rumors of the Putin's deteriorating health, Ukraine has repeatedly claimed that Putin uses body doubles. Russia has denied these unproven allegations. The conspiracy theory was supported by British tabloids, Ukrainian media and officials. However, no credible evidence of Vladimir Putin having body doubles has emerged in all the years of his leadership.