Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly took a secret break at a mountain hideout over the remote Altai region in Siberia last week just days ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration and impending talks about ending the Ukraine war.
Putin may have bathed in the blood from the severed antlers of Siberian red deers, an ancient ritual followed in Russia which many men observe for "strength" and to stop the ageing process, said reports quoting a Russian Telegram channel.
The Russian President's plane, Ilyushin 96-300, also called the 'Flying Kremlin' is said to have disappeared from radar screens over the Altai region on January 14, the eve of Russian New Year. According to the Telegram channel 'More Than Fact', Putin may have spent time at his Altai retreat.
"[Russian] Air Force One was absent from the capital for two days [from January 13 to 15]. It disappeared from radar screens in the Altai region. 'Putin's Altai Courtyard recreation centre is located there - where he takes baths in the blood of young maral [deer] to improve his health, prolong his life, and give him strength," the post read.
Anyhow, Putin was seen back in Moscow on Thursday to meet the president of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadera.
Though not much is publicly known about Putin's Altai residence, news broke out last year that one of the buildings in the President's unofficial residence was completely burnt down. The residence is also said to house a specialised farm where marals (large noble deer) are bred to extract blood from their antlers.
Putin has earlier been spotted there, especially during COVID time, when local people saw Putin's helicopter near the residence. Earlier, local hunters claimed to have spotted Putin's partner and former gymnast Alina Kabaeva at this Siberian hideaway. The Russian leader is also said to have hosted former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in the residence.
There were also speculations that he could use this bunker to protect his secret family in case of a nuclear strike. It was reported last year that the house has sufficient quantities of food enough to feed up to 300 people "for several years".