Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov Responds to Ukrainian Security Chief Danilov’s Claims Amid Putin Twins Theory
During a briefing, the Kremlin spokesperson addressed a provocative claim from Alexei Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security Council. Danilov had suggested that Vladimir Putin did not personally visit the city of Kherson, but rather that a lookalike was sent in his place. The moment the question reached the room, Peskov delivered a blunt assessment of Danilov, calling him a very strange figure for floating such a theory. The remark added another layer to the ongoing exchange about the president’s movements and appearances on the ground.
The discussion at the briefing centered on Danilov’s assertion that Putin’s absence in Kherson was attributed to a substitute. Peskov’s response was firm, insisting that the Ukrainian official presented odd and unfounded ideas. This exchange came amid broader dialogue about whether the Russian leadership uses decoys or stunt doubles, a topic that has periodically resurfaced in public commentary and media coverage.
Earlier, the claim linked to a supposed statement that Putin has a twin, allegedly supported by Major General Kirill Budanov, who heads the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry. This allegation has circulated in various media and political circles, fueling speculation about the president’s appearances and the security measures surrounding him. The narrative has been repeatedly described as far-fetched by several experts and officials who caution against taking unverified reports at face value.
In a separate development, Budanov was reported to have discussed the matter in an interview with a major British publication, implying that Putin may have relied on multiple individuals with plastic surgery modifications to resemble the president. Such assertions have attracted significant attention in international media and political commentary, though they remain contested claims without formal confirmation from verified sources. As these rumors circulate, many observers stress the importance of distinguishing rumor from verifiable fact and of evaluating the credibility of sources that promote these theories.
Historical context for the rumor of a decoy or stunt double in political life has periodically appeared in public discourse. There have been discussions about the possibility of larger-scale impersonation schemes, yet many analysts insist that such claims should be weighed against official statements and observable, verifiable actions. In this vein, the notion that a public figure might use a stand-in has appeared in news cycles before, often without substantiation beyond anonymous sourcing or speculative reporting.
As the conversation about leadership visibility continues, it remains essential to rely on corroborated information from reputable outlets and official communications. The interplay between political rhetoric, media narratives, and intelligence commentary often produces a crowded field of interpretations. In this environment, careful consumption of claims and careful presentation of facts are crucial for maintaining an informed public discourse. Context and corroboration matter, particularly when dealing with statements that touch on security and national representation. The dialogue surrounding Putin’s appearances and the possibility of substitutes reflects the broader challenges of reporting on high-profile figures in a highly scrutinized geopolitical landscape. Attribution: statements discussed here reflect reported positions from involved officials and media outlets, without presenting unverified material as fact.