Putin's Bodyguards Carried 'Poop Suitcase' For Summit With Trump In Alaska. Here's Why

Last Updated:August 18, 2025, 09:20 IST

According to reports, the idea is to protect the Russian President's privacy and prevent foreign powers from gaining insight into his health using his stool samples

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. (Reuters)

Imagine a high-stakes diplomatic summit between two of the world’s most powerful leaders. As the world watches intently and cameras capture every moment, behind the scenes, a seemingly odd but critical piece of security equipment is carried alongside the President’s entourage: a special suitcase, designed not for documents or weapons, but to collect and transport the leader’s excrement.

This is the reality of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s travel routine, according to a report in Express US. During the 2025 Alaska summit with his United States counterpart Donald Trump, Putin’s bodyguards reportedly carried such a suitcase, a practice that has become a hallmark of his tightly controlled security detail. The idea is to protect the leader’s privacy and prevent foreign powers from gaining insight into his health using his stool samples.

The practice of collecting and transporting Putin’s bodily waste during foreign trips reportedly dates back several years. Investigative journalists writing for the French publication Paris Match had revealed that members of Russia’s Federal Protection Service (FSO) are tasked with collecting the president’s excrement and urine in specialised packets. These materials are then placed in a dedicated briefcase and returned to Moscow. Such measures were reportedly implemented during Putin’s visits to France in 2017 and Saudi Arabia in 2019.

Rebekah Koffler, a former DIA intelligence officer, told Fox News that Putin fears foreign intelligence services might analyse his biological waste to gain insights into his health.

Putin’s concerns don’t seem to be unfounded. Reports about the 72-year-old’s health have surfaced in the media, sending rumour mills into an overdrive. Concerns were fuelled after the Russian President appeared to exhibit leg jerks during a press conference in Astana, Kazakhstan, last November, with medical experts suggesting these could be an indicator of a neurological disorder such as Parkinson’s disease.

Earlier, in 2023, Putin was also observed twitching while seated during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexandr Lukashenko. In 2022, the Kremlin took steps to dismiss rumours spread by the General SVR Telegram channel that claimed Putin had soiled himself following a fall, the Express US reported.

The “poop suitcase" is just one example of the extensive and sometimes unconventional security arrangements that accompany world leaders. In Putin’s case, it reflects a deep-seated concern for privacy and control over personal information, even in matters as mundane as bodily functions.

During the Alaska summit, while the suitcase itself remained discreetly out of sight, its reported inclusion highlighted the extent to which Putin’s security apparatus goes to maintain his privacy and revealing the meticulous planning that accompanies such high-profile engagements.

Apoorva Misra

Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. S...Read More

Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. S...

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First Published:

August 18, 2025, 09:20 IST

News world Putin's Bodyguards Carried 'Poop Suitcase' For Summit With Trump In Alaska. Here's Why

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