Vladimir Putin appeared to limp as he made yet another surprise visit to Ukraine, footage released by the Kremlin has suggested.
The Russian President was wearing a heavy blue jacket as he met with military chiefs in the annexed regions of Kherson and Luhansk.
He appeared to walk with a limp after stepping out of an SUV.
The released video also showed Putin walking stiffly as he emerged from a helicopter.
The Russian President reportedly visited the annexed areas of Kherson and Luhansk
Reuters
The Kremlin has not confirmed when the 70-year-old embarked on his visit.
But reports suggest Putin arrived several days ago ahead of the Orthodox Easter.
Kherson was one of the four Ukrainian regions annexed by Putin’s troops last year.
The 70-year-old declared Luhansk as part of Russia during its conflict with Kyiv in 2014.
Putin was reported to have recently visited the Russian-occupied port city of Mariupol.
However, his trip to the Azov port city prompted claims he had been using a body double.
The Russian Telegram account General SVR echoed such suggestions as it alleged Putin’s recent trip was carried out by a lookalike “understudy”.
It said: “A man resembling the President of Russia continues to travel through the occupied territories of Ukraine.
Putin was wearing a heavy blue jacket as he met with military chiefs in the annexed regions of Kherson and Luhansk
Reuters
“The recent visits by the doppelgänger to Crimea and Mariupol pleased Putin and his entourage so much that it was decided to continue such events.
“This time, the understudy flew in, just like in a children’s song, like a magician in a blue helicopter, visited the headquarters of the group of troops in the Kherson direction, and even received reports from the generals.
“At the same time, the worst and oldest car was chosen for the movement of the presidential understudy, which, as part of a small column, traveled around the endless fields of the Kherson region.
Vladimir Putin was informed about the situation in the southern regions of the ex-Soviet state
Reuters
“It is necessary to convince the Russians that Putin visits the front line under bullets and with personal courage raises the morale of soldiers and disgraced generals before the upcoming counteroffensive of Ukrainian troops.
“The fact that this does not work as intended, no-one tells the President.”
During his visit to Kherson, Putin was informed about the situation in the southern regions of the ex-Soviet state.
He said: “It is important for me to hear your opinion on how the situation is developing, to listen to you, to exchange information.”
