Vladimir Putin ‘uses three body doubles who’ve had plastic surgery & real one may not exist’ claims Ukraine spy chief

UKRAINE's head of military intelligence has claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin has been using three body doubles, who have had plastic surgery to resemble him.

Major General Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's head of military intelligence, claimed the body doubles are used to hide Putin's loss of control in the Kremlin.

This suggestion comes amid growing claims Putin is suffering a number of illnesses including Parkinson's and cancer.

In an interview with the , Budanov claimed Ukrainian secret services had detected Putin body doubles standing in for him on a number of "special occasions" in the past, but this had become "usual practice" now.

"We know specifically about three people that keep appearing, but how many there are, we don't know," Budanow said.

"They all had plastic surgery to look alike."

He continued: '"The one thing that gives them away is their height. It's visible in videos and pictures. Also gesturing, body language and earlobes, since they are unique for every person."

Budanow asked: "The big question is whether the real Putin still exists?"

The Ukrainian head of military intelligence did not discuss whether he believed Putin had disappeared - because of ill health or after a coup within the Kremlin.

This comes as Budanov claimed Russia is running out of guided missiles, saying that a retake of the southern city of Kherson by the Ukrainian army could have dramatic consequences for Putin and his cronies.

"Change is inevitable" in Moscow, he said.

Rumours have swirled for months about the 69-year old Russian president's failing health, with close ally Nicolai Patrushev earlier this year reportedly standing in for Putin during his regular medical appointments.

At the time, Budanov claimed that Putin was replaced by a body double during a trip to Iran.

He told Ukraine's 1+1 news channel that the president appeared more energetic than usual when he touched down for talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.