Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly backing a massive US$26 billion scientific initiative focused on extending human life and slowing aging, this according to reports released on April 23 about Russia’s “New Health Preservation Technologies” program.
The project includes research into gene therapy, lab-grown organs, organ printing, and even experiments involving ultralow temperatures.
Interest in the program resurfaced after Putin was caught on a hot mic during a military parade in Beijing last September discussing immortality and organ replacement with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Russian officials later described anti-aging treatments as one of the country’s most promising scientific priorities.
The Kremlin’s longevity initiative, unveiled in 2024, aims to save thousands of lives by the end of the decade while positioning Russia as a leader in anti-aging research.
Indeed, Vladimir Putin has remained one of the world’s most powerful and controversial political figures for more than two decades. Click through the following gallery to learn more about the Russian president’s life and career.