Putin Has Spent Dozens Of Billions Seeking To Extend His Life: Report

Russian President Vladimir Putin has led the country to spend dozens of billions in initiatives related to longevity, according to a new report.

The Wall Street Journal detailed that longevity projects have become a state priority, with some involving organ printing, harvesting mini-pigs and exposure to extremely low temperatures.

One such example involves a gene-therapy treatment aimed at slowing cellular aging. Deputy Science Minister Denis Sekirinsky said last month that the drug “represents one of the most promising avenues in the fight against aging.”

The initiative involving organ replacement was mentioned by Putin in a hot mic conversation with Xi Jinping last year. Back then, he told the Chinese premier that humans could achieve immortality by replacing their organs.

Back then, Putin’s interpreter could be heard saying in Chinese: “Biotechnology is continuously developing.” “Human organs can be continuously transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become, and [you can] even achieve immortality” the interpreter added.

Xi could then be heard saying that “some predict that in this century humans may live to 150 years old.” Putin later confirmed to press that the two leaders were having a conversation about the topic.

Putin announced in 2024 a national longevity initiative, seeking to save 175,000 lives by the end of the decade. Two key technologies for this purpose include the 3D-printing of living tissue and growing human organs inside mini-pigs that are deemed genetically compatible with humans.

Russian scientists, the outlet added, claimed they have been able to bioprint human cartilage tissue and a mouse thyroid gland. They seek to achieve human organ replacement by the end of the decade.

“In the Russian Federation, work is under way on a whole range of scientific programs in this field,” the Kremlin told the outlet.

The WSJ noted that unlike other such projects being led by billionaires like Jeff Bezos or Peter Thiel, Russia’s work has not produced many peer-reviewed research in large journals.