Vladimir Putin has been caught on camera opening up about a previously unknown brush with death.
The Russian president recalled a moment when a motorcycle mishap could have ended his life.
Describing the incident to officers at Russia’s Zapad 2025 military drills, he said: ‘Once I got on a motorcycle and when I stepped on the gas, it rear-ended and flipped over.
‘I managed to move at the last moment before it crashed right next to me.’
During the revelation, he was surrounded by army bosses who listened attentively, hanging on his every word.
Putin appeared to use the anecdote to underline his resilience and quick reflexes.
The 72-year-old leader, known for his interest in extreme sports and physical challenges, has often highlighted his adventurous side, from judo to horseback riding.
The dramatic admission came as Putin oversaw the Zapad 2025 exercises, which are among Russia‘s largest military drills.
Vladimir Putin opened up about a near-death experience while speaking to army bosses
The dramatic admission came as Putin oversaw the Zapad 2025 exercises, which are among Russia ‘s largest military drills
The exercises, held in conjunction with Putin ally Belarus, involve thousands of troops and advanced military hardware, and are designed to simulate large-scale warfare scenarios.
Many critics have warned that they serve as rehearsals for a potential invasion of Europe by Putin.
His new comments are not the first time Putin has spoken about death. Earlier this month, he was caught in a hot mic moment rambling about immortality with China’s leader Xi Jinping during a military parade in Beijing.
Through a translator, Xi, 72, said: ‘Earlier, people rarely lived to 70, but these days at 70 you are still a child’.
Putin responded: ‘Human organs can be continuously transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become, and (you can) even achieve immortality’.
Xi said in response: ‘Predictions are, this century, there is also a chance of living to 150’.
The Russian leader has faced persistent rumours of health woes. To defy death, he is said to partake in odd regiments.
Putin has often highlighted his interest for physical activities
This includes allegedly bathing in and consuming reindeer blood, which some believe can stop the ageing process and help with male libido.
Last year, reports emerged that he had ordered Russian scientists to come up with a cure for ageing.
One researcher is quoted to have said: ‘We were asked to urgently send all our developments, and the letter arrived, let’s say, today, but everything had to be sent yesterday’.
It was also revealed that during foreign trips, his bodyguards are tasked with collecting his excrement in a bag so foreign powers do not learn about any health issues.
Earlier this year, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that Putin would soon die.
Speaking in March about the war in Ukraine, Zelensky said: ‘He [Putin] will die soon, and that’s a fact, and it will come to an end.’
Throughout his time in office, he has released photographs in an attempt to project bravery and strength.
In 2012, he was pictured hang gliding, and in 2008, he was seen holding the head of a tiger as scientists put on a collar with a tracker.
