Is That You Vladimir? Putin Cosmetic Surgery Body Doubles Gossip

Vladimir Putin has been the president of Russia since 2012 and is generally regarded as the face of Russia by other countries. Being the most recognized person in the country means being in the public eye at all times. There has been recent speculation that Putin, who is always in the spotlight, might actually be more than one person. What does that mean? Read on to learn more about the alleged body double of Vladimir Putin.

Putin – More Than One Person?

According to the head of military intelligence in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin is using at least three body doubles who have undergone plastic surgery to look like the leader. Major General Kyrylo Budanov says the body doubles are being used to hide the loss of control some feel Putin has been experiencing in the Kremlin. In addition, Budanov also wonders if Putin is still making major decisions after the unsuccessful strategy behind the invasion of Ukraine. He stated “no matter how bad” Putin acted in the past, “he was not an idiot” and that the war against Ukraine “does not follow any logic.”

Budanov then asked the big question on the mind of many…Does the real Putin still exist?

The idea behind body doubles comes after speculation regarding the health of Putin. Budanov says doubles for Putin have been detected in the past as these doubles would stand in for him during special occasions. He added this is now a standard practice and there are “three people that keep appearing, but how many there are, we don’t know. They all had plastic surgery to look alike. The one thing that gives them away is their height. It’s visible in videos and pictures, Also gesturing, body language and earlobes, since they are unique for each person.”

Putin Plastic Surgery – Suspected Procedures

The appearance of a young Vladimir Putin in photos can be characterized as showing a man with a weak chin and bulging eyes. How did he transform his look from being a geeky guy to a tough and stern leader?

There has been a good amount of gossip over the years about Putin possibly using Botox to reduce the look of wrinkles on his face. There is even a joke in Russia that goes as follows, “In response to the charge there are no new faces in Russian politics, Vladimir Putin got one.”

The appearance of his face has obviously changed over the years with a look that has become plumper and wider in appearance. Many medical professionals credit the change in his face to the placement of cheek fillers as his face has gone from craggy and gaunt to fuller and more refreshed.

When it comes to the look of his eyes and chin, some of the speculation surrounds him having an eye lift for subtle results and also a chin lift, AKA a neck lift, to provide more definition to the area.

Possible Putin Botox and Fillers in the Spotlight

Even though it has not been proven that Putin had Botox or fillers placed in his face, there are some celebrity watchers and political commentators who feel that the Russian leader needs to have less injectables as it seems to become more obvious that he had injectables in the past. Instead of having too much injected at one time to the point that the use of fillers or Botox is obvious, patients should have their medical practitioner make gradual injections in order to subtly enhance the features as well as gain a look that is more flattering in appearance.

The claims that Putin had Botox first started to surface in 2011 when he arrived at a meeting with a large bruise around his eye. The talk about Botox was such a story that his spokesperson had to issue a denial by saying, “It’s probably just how the light fell. The prime minister is tired.”

The story gained life again a year later when a Russian magazine ran an article that was titled, “What has happened with Putin’s face?” The magazine spoke to four cosmetic surgeons who all agreed that Putin more than likely had undergone some kind of cosmetic procedure. Their speculation about possible treatments included Botox in the forehead, cheek filler injections, and an eye lift on the lower eyelids.

Putin – Evolution of His Appearance

While he is viewed as a macho man these days, early 1970 photos show a person in his early twenties with a scowl. Moving ahead to the early 2000s, Putin still had a somewhat geeky look thanks to his lack of a defined chin.

Photos from 2010 start to show the emergence of his “action phase” as he looks tired from participating in a judo session. Finally, in 2013, his face started to gain the more familiar puffy look that is also lacking wrinkles. Around this time, Putin disappeared for ten days and the Kremlin had to deny gossip that he was ill or undergoing surgery.

There is one thing that can be certain about Putin and his denial of cosmetic surgery:

He is feared enough that no one is likely to directly ask him about the speculation anytime in the near future.

- MA