Putin body double theories reignite after Russian pol appears to call him wrong name in Kremlin video
Conspiracy theories regarding Vladimir Putin's use of body doubles have resurfaced following a video where a Russian politician mistakenly referred to him by a different name. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev appeared to call Putin 'Pal Laich' during a meeting, leading to speculation about the authenticity of the president. Despite the theories, some analysts and observers suggest that the incident was simply a verbal slip rather than evidence of a body double.
- ▪Dmitry Patrushev mistakenly called Putin 'Pal Laich' during a Kremlin meeting.
- ▪An official transcript corrected the name to Vladimir Vladimirovich.
- ▪Theories about Putin using body doubles have circulated for years, with claims of at least three doubles existing.
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| Publication time | Fri, 29 May 2026 18:19:33 -0400 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-29T22:25:35.960Z |
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World News Putin body double theories reignite after Russian pol appears to call him wrong name in Kremlin video By Alex Oliveira Published May 29, 2026, 6:19 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google Conspiracy theories that Vladimir Putin has died and been replaced by body doubles are alight again after a Russian politician appeared to call the president by a completely different name — Pal Laich. “Pal Laich, thank you very much. I have prepared a presentation,” Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev appeared to say to Putin in footage from a recent meeting in Moscow.
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