June 30th 2023.
Russians have been having a good laugh about the recent claims that Vladimir Putin is using body doubles. After some very public appearances that sparked further speculation, including his visit to Dagestan when he plunged into a crowd and kissed a 13-year-old girl, memes have been circulating mocking the dictator.
One of the memes shows two Putins having a conversation. "Are you real?" asked one. "Yes," replied Putin. "Do you have a double?" he was asked. "No," Putin answered. This is a pointed response to the long standing rumour in Moscow that Putin has body doubles due to hidden health conditions, including cancer.
Another meme features two Putins competing to grip the table, Putin's trademark habit. "Give it to me," said one. "No, I won't," replied the other. Others show three Putins with the caption, "Putin said he didn't have a double and he was right - because he had a triple," and multiple Putins sitting around a drinks-laden table with the caption, "Last-minute consultations before a tour to the provinces."
One more meme shows eighteen Putins alongside the dictator's quote, "I never had body doubles," with the caption, "Out of Putin's six body doubles only three are left." There is also a video of Putin drawing a face at a hi-tech forum this week with the caption, "Putin's double shows how he looked before plastic surgeries."
Putin has admitted that his officials suggested using doubles - as Soviet leaders often did - but said he turned it down. Nonetheless, this hasn't stopped the Russian people from having a good laugh at the expense of their leader.
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