Putin’s Daughter Didn't Die from COVID-19 Vaccine
The Claim
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s daughter died on August 15th, 2020, after taking a dose of a new COVID-19 vaccine.
News posted on
Emerging story
In August 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his country had produced a viable COVID vaccine and would soon begin administering it to the public. Putin stated that the vaccine was safe— indeed, that his daughter had already taken it. Subsequently, on August 15, the publication TorontoToday.net published a story breaking the news that Putin’s daughter had passed away from complications due to the vaccine. Since then, the claim has gone viral on social media, specifically Twitter, and has spread around the world.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation into this claim reveals it to be false. TorontoToday.net is a publication that has only existed for a few weeks, and so is seen as less than credible (and also having an incentive to fabricate stories for publicity). Also, the two sources cited in the article for information were an anonymous source from “Russia’s inner circle” and a tarot card reading, the latter of which even comes with a disclaimer of inaccuracy, and the former of which is unverifiable. At this time, the Kremlin has made no statements regarding the failing health of Putin’s daughter, and so it would seem she is still in good condition.
