Vladimir Putin’s Longevity Quest Turns to Thousands of Aging Monkeys

Vladimir Putin has reportedly backed research into aging that is examining thousands of monkeys, including a group of unusually old animals, in a search for clues about extending human life. The project is being overseen by Mikhail Kovalchuk, a longtime Putin ally who heads the Moscow-based Kurchatov Institute, one of Russia’s largest state research centers. According to the report, researchers are studying more than 7,000 monkeys. A particular focus is a cohort aged between 20 and 30, with scientists conducting biochemical, structural, vascular and neurological examinations to follow how aging affects the body. The stated aim is to identify biological mechanisms that could eventually help people live longer. “We are now screening elderly monkeys to look at all stages of aging,” Kovalchuk said at the Kurchatov Genomic Forum in Moscow, according to Russian state news agency Tass. Kovalchuk has been described as a close friend and informal scientific adviser to Putin, particularly on genetics and emerging research. His brother, banker Yury Kovalchuk, is also reported to be among the Russian leader’s longstanding associates. Putin, who recently turned 74, has spoken publicly about the prospect of dramatically extending the human lifespan. At a 2025 summit in Beijing, he was reportedly caught on a hot microphone discussing the possibility of living to 150 with Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “The longer you live, the younger you become,” Putin said while talking about biotechnology and the possibility of replacing human organs. Xi responded that people might one day reach 150, the account says. Putin has also mused about extreme longevity at a Moscow AI exhibition, saying it might be possible to reach that age, while adding that it would still feel insufficient. The report notes that Putin declined a health check from an AI-powered device at the event, saying he had recently completed his annual check-up.