FACT CHECK: Putin is alive, not killed in Moscow limo explosion (2025)

The Russian leader has made several public appearances following an incident in which a limousine believed to be part of his official car fleet caught fire in central Moscow

Claim: Russian President Vladimir Putin has died in an explosion in one of his limousines.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: As of writing, the video posted on April 10 has garnered 105,110 views, 5,300 likes, and 205 comments. The YouTube channel responsible for the video, “Kaalaman PH,” currently has 1.38 million subscribers.

The video’s title says, “Nagulat ang buong Russia! Sasakyan ni Putin pinasabog sa Russia!” (Entire Russia shocked! Putin’s limousine blown up in Russia!)

The video’s thumbnail also included images of Putin, an exploding vehicle, and the text “Putin patay na? Sasakyan pinasabog!” (Is Putin dead? His vehicle was bombed!)

The video was posted following reports that a limousine believed to be part of the Russian president’s official car fleet exploded in Moscow on March 29.

The facts: Putin is alive. On April 11, Putin met US envoy Steve Winkoff in Saint Petersburg to discuss “various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement.” The Kremlin leader also recently met Russian nationals who were freed following their captivity in the Gaza strip.

A Newsweek report stated that an Aurus Senat limousine, reportedly managed by thePresidential Property Management Department, caught fire near the Federal Security Service headquarters in the Russian capital of Moscow on March 29. There are currently no confirmed details about who was using the vehicle at the time of the explosion.

According to the Kyiv Post, Putin reportedly ordered the sewers in the area and his own security staff checked.

The misleading YouTube video provides no proof that Putin was inside the vehicle when it caught fire. Instead, it merely discussed geopolitics concerning Russia, China, and the Philippines.

Putin is reported to be paranoid about assassination plots and travels with tight security. In December, Putin’s chemical weapons chief Igor Kirillov and his aide were killed with an explosive attached to an electric scooter, an incident which the Russian leader described as a “serious blunder” by special services.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The incident in Moscow comes amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which has been raging since February 2022. Attempts at brokering a ceasefire between the two countries have failed, with conflict continuing on both sides: most recently, at least 35 people were killed following a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on April 13.

Russia has previously claimed that Ukraine violated a proposed ceasefire by attacking a Russian oil depot in late March. Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, said Russia has also broken its word on a ceasefire by targeting civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and rail equipment.

Putin and Trump: US President Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed to put an end to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine since assuming office. In a call on March 18, Putin told Trump that Russia would pause its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Both sides however, accused each other of air attacks the day after the call.

On April 13, the Kremlin stated that talks between the US and Russia have been going well but cautioned against expecting immediate results on the conflict. – Ramon Franco Verano/Rappler.com

Ramon Franco Verano is a graduate of Rappler’s volunteer program. He is a fourth year History student at the University of Santo Tomas. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.

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