Putin ‘Pal Laich‘ bodydouble rumours reach fever pitch after slip-up | World | News

The Russian leader faced more double gossip after a minister referred to him by a different name. Dmitry Patrushev, deputy prime minister in charge of agriculture, called Vladimir Putin ‘Pal Laich’ in a video published by the Kremlin.

Theorists believe that ‘Pal Laich’ is the pseudonym of Pavel Nicolaevich, the president’s alleged double. The official transcript claims that Patrushev said “Vladimir Vladimirovich”, Putin’s correct first and last name. Even pro-Kremlin newspaper Kommersant acknowledged that the comment had caused confusion. It read: “No one seems to be able to explain what this is. Maybe he’s overly stressed. Maybe he wanted to say something about something but got caught up.”

For many years, it was believed that Putin used a double to ensure his safety. In 2020, the leader claimed that such a plan was brought to him in the early 2000s, but he denied it.

However, in 2022, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, claimed that Putin regularly used doubles. He said: “There are at least three people. [body doubles] those that occur periodically.

In 2023, Kremlin spin doctor Dmitry Peskov denied rumors of a body double, but Budanov claimed that Putin’s height and the shape of his ears had changed over the years.

“You’ve probably heard that he had a lot of stunt doubles working for him while he was sitting in the dugout. Another lie,” he said.

Peskov added: “His energy is nothing to envy. His health can only be wished for, God willing. Of course, he is not sitting in any shelter.”

Some theorists even believe that the real Putin is dead or in a bunker and is ruling Russia through a series of doppelgangers.