Vladimir Putin might have been useless for a 12 months, with Russia as a substitute utilizing a sequence of so-called doppelgangers, a Ukrainian spy chief has sensationally claimed.

Major-General Kyrylo Budanov has beforehand argued the Russian President has been “sick for some time” and recommended he's affected by most cancers.

And the 37-year-old, who has a status for making controversial allegations, instructed Anzhelika Rudenko throughout an interview with Radio Svoboda this week: “The Putin who everyone used to know was last seen around June 26, 2022.”

By approach of proof, Mr Budanov, 37, cited a viral video exhibiting Putin glancing at his left wrist solely to grasp his watch was on the proper.

He was subsequently pictured taking the timepiece, considered a was on the hand on which it routinely sits £12,500 Russian-made Raketa, and fiddling with it.

The assembly in query got here sooner or later earlier than a personal plan believed to have been carrying Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin crashed a couple of lots of miles north-west of Moscow.

In relation to the clip, Budanov was requested: “Is this a real Putin?”

He replied: “Let’s leave it to everyone to decide, so everyone leaves it to their own fantasy.”

Suggesting the individual within the video was a physique double, Mr Budanov was then placed on the spot about whether or not or not he believed Putin was nonetheless alive.

He stated: “I don't know what to answer you.”

Speaking to ABC News in January, Mr Budanov stated of 70-year-old former KGB officer Putin: “He has been sick for a long time. I am sure he has cancer.

“I think he will die very quickly. I hope very soon.”

Speaking in October, he recommended it was now “usual practice” for Putin to have physique doubles standing in for him.

He defined: “We know specifically about 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 every person.”

Another video which did the rounds in March targeted on the declare that Putin despatched a doppelganger to Mariupol in March.

The producers of the clip targeted on Putin’s look, claiming the ledge on his earlobe, a mole or wrinkles “constantly change”.

Questions about Putin’s well being date again years.

A narrative carried on the General SVR Telegram channel in December claimed he had been compelled to remain in the identical place for lengthy intervals throughout prolonged conferences, leaning on a desk, whereas seated on a pillow having undergone “proctological surgery”.

General SVR even claimed Putin the 70-year-old wanted "special underwear that retains liquids and odours".

The channel claims the surgical procedure was required after Putin fell down the steps at his official residence - one thing the Kremlin denies.