The use of body doubles by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has become part of strict security protocol and has long become a common practice.
This was stated by the former head of British intelligence MI6 Richard Dearlove. According to him, Ukrainian intelligence data indicating the appearance of Putin’s doubles at public events is reliable, and the decision about who exactly goes out to the public is made depending on the level of risk.
Growing threats since the start of the war
Western analysts and officials associate the strengthening of security measures with a full-scale war by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
Ukrainian intelligence services have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to strike targets on Russian territory, which, according to experts, has increased the concern of the dictator’s circle about possible attacks.
“He would also be a drone target for the Ukrainians if they could know exactly where he was and when,” Dearlove explained.
Where doubles are not used
According to the former head of MI6, doubles are not used during diplomatic negotiations and closed meetings, since it is extremely difficult to maintain deception at close range.
“Doppelgangers are not used in personal meetings because it is very difficult to imitate Putin when you are so close,” he said.
A different situation arises at public events in the open air – walks, visits to factories or demonstration trips, where it is impossible to completely control the environment.
Artificial Intelligence Analysis
A report from the Japanese television network TBS for 2023 attracted additional attention to the topic. Using artificial intelligence technologies, experts analyzed Putin’s face and body movements.
They came to the conclusion that the real dictator was present at the May 9 parade on Red Square, while his double probably appeared during the inspection of the Crimean Bridge almost a year earlier. The level of similarity between them, according to the study, was just over 50%.
We remind you that during one of the public events with the participation of dictator Putin, Russian state television showed an episode with a double, which attracted attention outside the Russian Federation. In a story about the so-called “straight line,” viewers were introduced to a man identified as British BBC correspondent Steve Rosenberg, but it later turned out that a real journalist was actually present at the event, and the interview was recorded on air with another man, only superficially similar to him.
Let us note that Western intelligence services note an increase in hidden threats from Moscow, which do not involve a direct military confrontation, but are aimed at systemic destabilization through indirect methods of influence. According to the new head of British intelligence MI6, Blaise Metreveli, Russia is deliberately promoting the so-called “export of chaos” beyond its borders, using instruments of influence to undermine the situation in other countries.