Russian President Vladimir Putin, 72, is rumoured to have temporarily stepped away from his military campaign in Ukraine to visit a remote Siberian mountain palace, where he allegedly indulges in ancient health rituals involving blood baths derived from young deer antlers to enhance vitality and prolong life.
Reports claim that Putin’s luxury aircraft, the Flying Kremlin, disappeared from radar screens on Orthodox New Year’s Eve during a flight from Moscow to Siberia.
Two days later, the jet reappeared, returning to the Russian capital. Speculation centres around his stay at his vast retreat in the Altai region, which is said to house an elaborate underground bunker with a power station designed to sustain 300 people for years in the event of nuclear war.
The Telegram channel “More Than Fact” suggested Putin may have been at the estate, which reportedly includes a maral deer farm.
According to investigative reports, terrified deer have their antlers sawed off to extract blood, which Putin and his inner circle are believed to use in baths.
This testosterone-driven practice is considered an elixir for male potency, health rejuvenation, and anti-ageing benefits.
“The moral deer blood season typically occurs in late spring or early summer,” the report noted.
However, Putin’s visit in January raises questions about whether the practice occurred or if the retreat served other purposes.
The channel also speculated about the involvement of Putin’s rumoured partner, Alina Kabaeva, 41, a former Olympic gymnast.
Kabaeva, who Putin has publicly acknowledged, is thought to share two sons with him.
She was previously seen using a private helicopter at the Altai compound, allegedly for stretching exercises.
Putin’s relationship with Kabaeva and details about their children have been shrouded in secrecy.
One theory suggests he would use the bunker to protect his secret family in the event of a global catastrophe.
During his absence, Kremlin-released videos appeared to show Putin conducting business, though Russian sources believe the footage may have been pre-recorded, a tactic known as “canned” appearances.
The Altai estate, located 135 miles south of Gorno-Altaisk and 2,375 miles east of Moscow, borders China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan.
It drew media attention last year after a mysterious fire destroyed one of the buildings on the compound.
On Thursday, Putin was reportedly back in Moscow, where he met with Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera.
His Siberian retreat comes amid critical decisions regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with former U.S. President Donald Trump seeking an early meeting to negotiate a resolution to the war.
