Vladimir Putin spending $26 billion on strange techniques to live longer

From expensive anti-ageing creams to strict fitness routines, people have long been chasing ways to turn back the clock.

The quest for youth isn’t limited to Hollywood stars or wellness enthusiasts either. Apparently, even Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, has taken an interest in slowing the signs of ageing.

The pursuit of a longer life appears to be a serious venture for Russia, with new reports suggesting the government is willing to invest as much as $26 billion in its efforts to find an answer.

Last month, Russian officials unveiled the latest focus of the country's “New Technologies for Health Preservation” initiative: what they described as a potential “vaccine against ageing.”

The experimental gene therapy is designed to block the RAGE receptor, which Russian Deputy Science and Higher Education Minister Denis Sekirinsky says plays a key role in the ageing process. According to Sekirinsky, activation of the receptor sends signals that prompt cells to begin ageing.

They believe blocking this gene can ‘prolong its youth’.

The so-called anti-ageing vaccine isn't a standalone project. It's part of Russia's ambitious "New Technologies for Health Preservation" initiative, a government-backed programme launched in 2024 and rolled out the following year to accelerate research into extending healthy lifespans and combating age-related decline.

And Russia isn't thinking small. The initiative comes with a staggering budget of 2 trillion rubles, roughly $28.1 billion at the time of writing, underscoring just how seriously the country is taking the quest to slow ageing.

Scientists are researching how to slow the ageing process (Getty Stock Image)

Russia's anti-ageing ambitions aren't limited to gene therapies and billion-dollar research programmes.

Some of the figures driving the country's longevity movement have also embraced treatments that remain highly controversial among researchers.

One of example is peptide therapy. Vladimir Khavinson, a scientist who has worked closely with Putin, has spent years promoting peptide-based treatments as a way to slow ageing and extend lifespan.

If you’re into skincare, you’ve probably heard of peptides. The term refers to short chains of amino acids, and many are used in legitimate medical treatments, such as insulin.

However, a growing number of anti-ageing peptides have entered the wellness market in recent years, often with far less evidence supporting their safety and effectiveness.

In recent years, a growing number of wealthy entrepreneurs, tech executives and wellness enthusiasts have become obsessed with extending their lifespans and slowing the ageing process.

Bryan Johnson (Netflix)

The trend is often associated with "biohacking", a broad movement focused on optimising the body through everything from diet and exercise to supplements, medical treatments and emerging technologies. Bryan Johnson, an entrepreneur who reportedly spends around $2 million a year on "Project Blueprint," is one of the most famous examples. He has an extensive anti-ageing programme designed to reduce his biological age and maximise longevity.