Fact Check: "Russian defector explains about Putin's lifestyle, health rumors and others in 2023 interview"
What We Know
In 2023, several reports emerged regarding Vladimir Putin's health and lifestyle, particularly following the defection of Gleb Karakulov, a former member of Putin's personal protective service. Karakulov claimed that despite widespread rumors about Putin's health, he is in fact healthier than many of his peers. He stated that Putin has regular health checkups and has only canceled a couple of business trips in over a decade due to illness, suggesting that he is "a very, very healthy person" (source-2, source-5).
Contrarily, leaked documents suggested that there were rumors about Putin undergoing chemotherapy, although U.S. officials have stated that there is no credible evidence to support these claims (source-1). Analysts have pointed out that speculation about the health of autocrats like Putin is common, especially in closed societies where information is tightly controlled (source-1).
Ukrainian officials, including military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, have publicly endorsed the rumors about Putin's health, claiming he has been sick for a long time and suggesting he has cancer (source-1). However, these statements have not been substantiated with credible evidence.
Analysis
The claim that a Russian defector has provided insights into Putin's lifestyle and health is accurate, as Gleb Karakulov did defect and share his views. However, the reliability of the information is mixed. On one hand, Karakulov's assertions that Putin is in good health are supported by his direct experience as a member of Putin's inner circle. His statements were reported by credible news outlets and reflect a perspective that counters the prevailing rumors of illness (source-2, source-3).
On the other hand, the context of Karakulov's defection and the motivations behind his statements must be considered. He is aligned with the Dossier Center, which is funded by a prominent Putin critic, potentially introducing bias into his claims (source-2). Furthermore, the leaked documents suggesting Putin's possible health issues, while lacking substantial evidence, indicate that speculation is rampant and often politically motivated (source-1).
The contrasting narratives from Ukrainian officials and U.S. intelligence further complicate the situation, as they seem to promote a narrative that could serve their strategic interests (source-1).
Conclusion
The claim that a Russian defector has explained Putin's lifestyle and health rumors is Partially True. While Gleb Karakulov did provide insights into Putin's health and lifestyle, the reliability of these insights is questionable due to potential biases and the lack of corroborating evidence from independent sources. The ongoing speculation about Putin's health remains a complex interplay of fact, rumor, and political maneuvering.
Sources
- Leaked Documents Reflect Persistent Speculation on Putin's Health
- Russian defector discloses Putin's fears, health and habits
- Russian defector sheds light on Putin paranoia and his lifestyle
- Putin health news: Is Putin suffering from a deadly disease?
- Russian defector discloses Putin's fears, health and habits
- MUST WATCH | PUTIN'S BIGGEST INTERVIEW OF 2025
- Vladimir Putin: After 25 years in power, what next for Russia's president?
- Is Putin battling a string of deadly diseases?
