Mark Sergienko

Japanese researchers have claimed two "Putin doubles" Japanese experts in facial recognition and voice identification have concluded that the theory of Vladimir Putin's doubles, who replace him at public events, is gaining popularity. This information was published by the British tabloid The Sun. By analyzing Putin's various speeches with the use of modern artificial intelligence technology, Japanese experts have concluded that the Russian president probably has at least two doubles. One of the doubles was identified as the "real" Putin, who attended the Red Square parade in May 2023. After comparing the facial features of this Putin with the one who drove across the Crimean Bridge in a Mercedes car in December 2022, the Japanese experts found only 53% similarity. An even smaller resemblance, just 40%, was found between the "parade Putin" and the president who visited Mariupol in March 2023. Videos on state television showed this Putin driving through the ruined city, touring the construction site of an apartment complex, talking to residents, and visiting what was said to be a three-room apartment while giving instructions to Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin. The similarity between Putin's facial features in Mariupol and Putin on the Crimean Bridge was only 18%, according to Japanese researchers. Their artificial intelligence-based analysis "clearly indicates" the likelihood of at least two Putin doubles.