Vladimir Putin reportedly on the hunt for immortality: Scientists under pressure to find anti-ageing treatments

The 71-year-old president Vladimir Putin is said to have ordered Russian scientists to present the latest research findings on anti-ageing drugs to the top leadership. It is believed that Vladimir Putin's desire to prolong his life and that of his closest allies is behind this. According to reports, the Russian president personally demanded details of the latest developments, which shocked high-ranking researchers.

Russian anti-ageing researchers in turmoil

The demand had come directly from the 'biggest boss', a source said. Independent Russian news agencies such as Meduza and Sistema revealed that Vladimir Putin's health ministry had sent an urgent letter in June requesting the latest findings on 'active longevity'. The aim is reportedly to slow down the biological ageing process and prolong the life of Vladimir Putin and his inner circle.

The urgency behind Vladimir Putin's desire for life-prolonging measures surprised many. A researcher from a medical research center told Russian newspapers:

Normally, the publication of the results of such national projects is preceded by a series of meetings and discussions.

But this time the scientists had to submit their results in a hurry, 'preferably yesterday'.

Vladimir Putin's inner circle is ageing

The requested research includes methods to reduce cell deterioration, technologies to prevent cognitive and sensory impairments, and biotechnological approaches such as bioprinting to renew the body. Experts suspect that Vladimir Putin's intense interest in research is due to his own health and advanced age.

Vladimir Putin himself has the opportunity to remain in office until 2036 by amending the constitution. That would mean he could remain in power until well into his 80s. However, his inner circle is also ageing rapidly. His long-standing allies, such as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, 74, FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov, 72, and his advisor Nikolai Patrushev, 73, are all among the older generation.

Vladimir Putin's search for immortality

At the beginning of the year, the Russian president announced that he would be promoting a new project aimed at 'preserving the health' of Russian citizens. One of its programs is the fight against ageing with the aim of saving 175,000 lives by 2030. Experts fear that the expensive research projects to prolong life will swallow up enormous sums of money, which are almost impossible to raise in view of the ongoing war and Russia's economic burdens.

However, Vladimir Putin has long been known for his interest in anti-ageing. His former advisor Professor Vladimir Khavinson, who was considered a leading expert in the field of bioregulation and gerontology before his death in 2023, developed special peptides that were supposed to stop ageing. Vladimir Putin's daughter Maria Vorontsova, an endocrinologist, is also said to be involved in research into prolonging life.

How is Vladimir Putin really doing?

With all this talk about Putin's interest in longevity, let's look at how the leader himself has been ageing.

Interestingly, the Russian president seems to present himself as a model for healthy ageing. In 2013, he proudly displayed a photo of himself bare-chested on horseback - as an example of a life without smoking, alcohol and with plenty of sport. But despite his efforts, there is always speculation about his state of health.

Observers have recently reported appearances in which he seemed unsteady, trembling or holding on to tables. Appointments, some of which were cancelled at extremely short notice, have also repeatedly fuelled rumours about the Kremlin leader's health problems. Rumours of Vladimir Putin suffering a cardiac arrest in October 2023 were denied at the time.

While Vladimir Putin is now looking for new ways to combat ageing, the international situation remains tense. On the same day that he arrived in Mongolia, a member of the International Criminal Court, Ukraine demanded his arrest in the country.

This article has been translated from Gentside DE.

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Sources used:

Daily Mail: Vladimir Putin, 71, demands Russian scientists hand over latest research into anti-ageing remedies in suspected bid to extend his life

The Independent: Putin aide 'crazy' about eternal life orders research on anti-ageing treatments