What happened to Vladimir Putin?
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said Putin had suffered a spinal injury during a judo bout, and there were rumors that he was seriously injured. But Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev denied that Putin had hurt his back, and eventually the president reappeared.
Who was Vladimir Putin’s bodyguard Mikhail Zakharov?
Mikhail Valeryevich Zakharov, 33, took his own life while on duty overnight – with reports he formed part of the personal protection department of Federal Protective Service (FSO), directly responsible for Putin’s security Am man believed to be guard working for Vladimir Putin reportedly shot himself dead inside the Kremlin.
Is this the real Vlad Putin?
Theorists claim dramatic changes in Putin’s appearance, apparent inconsistencies in his ability to speak German, and a divorce from his wife are all “proof” the Russian President is not the real Vlad.
What does the new Putin look like?
He said the new Putin has a his “header rounder, nose fatter and shorter, dimple missing, lips thicker, mouth larger and a serious double chin”. Pictures of Putin in his youth do show a dramatic shift in his appearance.
Rumours that Mr Putin was dead have been struck off the list but there has not yet been any formal explanation of his whereabouts. After a string of high-profile engagements were cancelled last week, many reports pointed to illness, which could have been kept secret by Mr Putin’s spokesperson to protect his macho image.
What happened in Putin’s meeting with Almazbek Atambayev?
The meeting between the Russian President and Almazbek Atambayev in the Constantine Palace, near St Petersburg, follows more than a week of intense speculation over Putin’s sudden disappearance from the public eye.
Did Putin keep illness secret to protect his macho image?
After a string of high-profile engagements were cancelled last week, many reports pointed to illness, which could have been kept secret by Mr Putin’s spokesperson to protect his macho image. The Kremlin has denied claims that his alleged girlfriend, former gymnast Alina Kabaeva, had given birth to their child in Switzerland.