Kathrine Frich
New report about Putin causes a stir.
While the war in Ukraine continues to impact Russia, the Kremlin is simultaneously investing enormous sums in a completely different project.
The goal is nothing less than to significantly extend human lifespan.
The Russian state has allocated approximately 250 billion kroner ($38 billion) to a national program aimed at developing advanced anti-aging technologies.
According to several experts, the initiative is not only about public health but also about Vladimir Putin’s own future.
Interest was truly sparked last year when a microphone picked up a conversation between Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Here, they reportedly discussed the possibility that humans could live up to 150 years in the future.
This is reported by the Norwegian media outlet Dagbladet.
Putin’s Inner Circle Controls the Show
The program was launched in 2024 and is led by individuals with close ties to the Russian president.
Among them are Putin’s eldest daughter, Maria Vorontsova, and physicist Mikhail Kovalchuk, who is described as one of the most influential figures surrounding the Kremlin.
According to Russia expert Jules Sergei Fediunin, the project is closely linked to the power elite.
“Putin does not believe that Russia can survive without him. So it is important that he remains in power so he can continue his mission for as long as possible,” says Fediunin.
For years, Russia has struggled with low life expectancy, particularly among men. The average life expectancy for Russian men is currently under 68 years, which is significantly lower than in many other industrialized countries.
Pigs and 3D Printing
Researchers are working, among other things, with so-called bioprinting, where living tissue is produced using 3D printing.
At the same time, research is being conducted into xenotransplantation, where human organs are grown in specially selected mini-pigs for later transplantation.
These technologies are also being investigated in the West, but Russia’s investments have attracted attention due to the project’s scale and its direct connection to Putin.
Professor and Russia expert Mark Galeotti believes that the initiative reflects the president’s personal interests.
“It’s not just about keeping Putin alive. But what is important to the boss is important to everyone,” he says.
Meanwhile, speculation about Putin’s health continues.
Officially, the Kremlin consistently dismisses rumors of illness, but the interest in life-extending technology contributes to new questions about the 73-year-old president’s plans for the future.
