The Media Gamble

Western media created the gossip about 10 days absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, fueled it with numerous conspiracy theories, ranging from his poor health, a coup and even alien abduction, all the while the world goes on with ISIL, Ebola, the conflict in Ukraine and other more important issues than the “disappearance” of Putin.

Vladimir Putin makes fun of these wild rumors. Commenting on reports on the reasons why the Russian leader "had disappeared," the president said “It’d be boring if there weren’t rumors.”

The rumors that Putin's health had deteriorated emerged online and in global media, when the president had not been seen publicly since March 5. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any illness of the president, calling the reports "funny."