The cult of personality surrounding Vladimir Putin, cultivated through shirtless photo opportunities and bolstered by foreign wars, keeps going from strength to strength.

And if you’ll believe the Russian President just “found” an ancient amphora after descending to the sea bed in a Bond-style miniature submarine, you may also buy into new conspiracy theories that Mr Putin is in fact immortal.

A recent “truth revealed” by the Disclose.tv website puts images of the surprisingly youthful-looking 63-year-old alongside photos of other men purporting to be from 1920 and 1941 respectively – inviting the reader to compare the three.

The concept that Mr Putin is immortal “and the internet has proof” has itself been around for a while. For most, it is a bit of fun.

Putin’s approval rating climbs to 88%

But despite his 15 years in the presidential limelight and being named the most powerful man in the world, seasoned Moscow observers still feel they don’t know who Vladimir Putin really is.

In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Show all 20 1 /20 In pictures: Putin's macho adventures In pictures: Putin's macho adventures A shirtless Vladimir Putin shows his horse riding skills GETTY IMAGES In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin is definitely a dog person ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin catches a huge pike fish in the Tyva, naturally Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures The Russian leader shakes hands with a walrus during a visit to the oceanarium Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Dolphins love Putin* *maybe Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin feeds a moose ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin caresses a Persian leopard cub ALEXEI NIKOLSKY/AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin, the animal lover Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin takes part in a friendly ice hockey match Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin throws a Japanese judo expert during an exercise proving, once again, he's the boss Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin touring a hog farm ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin (right) and scientists examine a polar bear on the island Alexandra Land Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin attaches a satellite tracking tag to a Beluga whale ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin strokes a cow ALEXEY PANOV/AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin taking a horseback ride ALEKSEY DRUZHININ/AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin with dears ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin receives instructions from a Renault Formula One team member before driving a F1 race car Getty Images In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin (R) and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (L) during a fishing trip in the Krasnoyarsk Territory and Tyva Republic EPA In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin submerges on board Sea Explorer 5 bathyscaphe. Fear is not an option for the Russian leader In pictures: Putin's macho adventures Putin kisses a strugeon fish MIKHAIL KLEMENTYEV/AFP/Getty Images

For some, the “mythism” surrounding the Russian President is actively propagated by public figures in the Moscow – the conspiracy behind the conspiracy, as it were.