Putin's Russia Invests $26 Billion In Anti-Ageing Vaccine: Can Politicians Become Immortal?

Added: 2026-05-09

[00:00:01]Other question for you. Do you ever wish you could go back in time and be young all over again?

[00:00:08]What if I told you that an anti-aging vaccine could soon be a reality?

[00:00:14]Sounds like science fiction, right? But one country is trying to make it real.

[00:00:19]In Russia, scientists are working on a vaccine to slow down the biological aging process and help us stay young for longer.

[00:00:29]Intrigued?

[00:00:30]Ayushi Ahuja has more.

[00:00:36]What if aging wasn't inevitable, but something we could control or could be slowed or even stopped? Russia, which has previously made headlines for developing breakthrough vaccines, >> [music] >> including claims around cancer treatments, is now turning its focus to something even more ambitious, a vaccine against aging.

[00:00:56]At the center of this push is President Vladimir Putin, a leader [music] long known for projecting strength, masculinity, and endurance. From shirtless photo ops to staged deep-sea dives, from flying with Siberian cranes to piloting a nuclear bomber, President Putin's carefully crafted image has always leaned towards [music] vitality and control.

[00:01:20]Russian scientists are working on a gene therapy targeting the rage or receptor for advanced glycation end products. The cellular trigger links to biological aging, according to the Moscow Times.

[00:01:33]Officials say that blocking this receptor could slow down or even pause the aging process.

[00:01:39]Deputy Science Minister Denis Sekirinsky calls it a step towards creating the world's first gene therapy drug designed specifically to delay aging.

[00:01:50]But there's a catch. So far, research has only been tested in labs and animal models. Human trials have not begun.

[00:02:00]The anti-aging project is part of a massive national health program worth more than 25 billion dollars. Russia plans to begin production of this gene therapy drug between 2028 and 2030 as part of a broader strategy to tackle its declining population, rising mortality rates, and an aging society.

[00:02:22]The urgency is clear. Average life expectancy for men in Russia is 67 years, significantly lower than many Western nations. At 73, President Putin is already beyond that.

[00:02:36]And reports suggest that longevity isn't just policy, it's personal.

[00:02:41]>> [music] >> From strict diets and daily workouts to swimming, judo, and ice hockey, President Putin has long projected discipline and control over [music] aging. But some reports point to more unconventional methods as well. In 2022, Russian outlet Proekt reported that President Putin took antler baths, a controversial treatment where a person immerses in an extract made from young deer antlers. The process has drawn criticism for animal cruelty as the antlers are cut from live deer while still rich in nerves and blood supply, often causing them extreme pain.

[00:03:23]The treatment is believed by some to improve circulation and rejuvenate the body, though scientific backing remains limited. This obsession with longevity isn't limited to Russia alone. In a hot mic moment, President Putin and China's President Xi Jinping were overheard discussing the future of aging.

[00:03:42]President Putin was heard speaking about how biotechnology could allow organs to be replaced [music] and lifespans extended. In response, President Xi's [music] interpreter could be heard saying, "Predictions are this century.

[00:03:56]There's a chance of also living to 150 years old." Despite the excitement, experts caution that there is no proven anti-aging vaccine yet.

[00:04:07]Current research is early stage and experimental. Claims of reversing aging remain highly speculative. So, the bigger question remains, is this about science or power?

[00:04:19]Because of aging can be slowed, power could be extended.

[00:04:23]And that raises a chilling possibility.

[00:04:26]What happens if leaders don't just rule for years, but for decades on end?

[00:04:32]For now, a vaccine for aging is a bold claim, and the world is watching closely as time has always remained undefeated.

[00:04:43]Ayushi Ahuja for DD India.