Ukrainian intelligence officials claim that many of Putin's public appearances are "fake" The difference between him and a double is easy to recognize. The fact that Putin is sick or not really Putin can be seen from his face.
Putin's former ally, now critic and nationalist hardliner Igor Girkin also said in a video that he would immediately recognize a fake Putin. The real president would be recognizable when he sits far away from his followers, for example at an extremely long table, Girkin said.