Putin FAKED his own death in bizarre plot to ‘test his popularity’, Ukraine claims after Kremlin forced to deny rumours

VLADIMIR Putin reportedly faked his own death in a bizarre bid to test his popularity among the Russian public, it's been claimed.

The Kremlin was forced to issue an extraordinary denial after false reports the tyrant leader's body was being kept in a freezer spread on social media last week.

Now Kyiv has claimed the fake information was deliberately planted by Putin's allies.

A Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman, Andrii Yusov, said the October 27 report of Putin's death by the General SVR channel was a plot used by Moscow to tighten domestic control.

“In this way, the empire, which is built on the work of the secret services, learns how to continue to rule,” he told Ukrainian media.

The General SVR Telegram channel stated that the Russian President had suddenly died and his body was being kept frozen.

The channel is known for regularly uploading posts claiming the leader has died.

The full report from October 27 claimed: “Attention! There is currently an attempted coup in Russia! 

“Russian President Vladimir Putin died this evening at his residence in Valdai at 20:42 Moscow time, doctors stopped resuscitation and pronounced death. 

“Now the doctors are blocked in the room with Putin’s corpse, they are being held by members of the presidential security service on the personal orders of Dmitry Kochnev who is in touch and receives instructions from the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev.”

The incredible statement continued and spoke about what would happen next if the leader had really died.

It said: “Security for the president's double has been beefed up. 

“Active negotiations are underway. 

“Any attempt to pass off a double as the president after Putin’s death is a coup.”

But Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov vehemently denied the rumours and told state media RIA Novosti that the report was an “absurd information canard”.

According to Yusov, this was all part of the Kremlin's master plan.

“The basic purpose of fake news is to look at how society reacts in terms of numbers and dynamics,” he said.

“[The purpose is] to look at the reactions of individuals, the elite and the media,” he added.

Earlier this month Peskov also had to strongly deny rumours that Putin suffered a heart attack and reinforced that any reports of a doppelganger were false.

People have started to theorise that these fake reports are further evidence of an intense power struggle in Russia as the country struggles in its war with Ukraine. 

But reports emerged earlier this year that Putin's powerful inner circle, dubbed "The Ozeros" were plotting to bring him down and end the war once and for all.

Igor Girkin, a prominent Russian military blogger, claimed the once loyal group would target Russia's Ministry of Defence, the FSB and other major government departments - and replace Putin.

And as Putin scrambles to maintain his rule, Girkin said his powerful inner circle now want to oust him - and bring in Sergey Kiriyenko, Putin's chief of staff.

According to Russian outlet Meduza, Kiriyenko, 61, is already trying to position himself as a possible successor to Putin.

As well as reporting on Putin's alleged deaths, the General SVR channel has also posted about several humiliations suffered by Putin.

According to a December 2022 report, the 71-year-old allegedly soiled himself after taking a tumble down some stairs.