Rumors started circulating in March 2015 that Russian President Vladimir Putin had died:
Shocking footage from Putin's secret funeral. # CB8=#<5@ pic.twitter.com/RGuki3IxY9
— Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) March 11, 2015
The theory, which was first floated on Russian social media, was based on the fact that Putin had not made a live television appearance for several days after meeting with Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi on
While it's unclear where Putin has been, the Kremlin assured the public on
"He has meetings all the time," he said by telephone. "He has meetings today, tomorrow. I don't know which ones we will make public."