Whatâ€™s the big mystery, Vladimir Putin?

Russian President Vladimir Putin makes his first public appearance since March 5, after rumours about his health. Rough cut (no reporter narration).

He's back ... Russian President Vladimir Putin has resurfaced for a meeting with his Kyrgyz counterpart in Saint Petersburg. Picture: AP Source: AP

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin has finally resurfaced after a 10-day absence from public view, laughing off speculation about his health.

However, there was no explanation for his mysterious disappearance from the limelight earlier this month.

The 62-year-old Russian leader was last seen in public on March 5, when he hosted Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

On Monday he dismissed days of frenzied "rumours" over his health and whereabouts.

Alive and well ... Russian President Vladimir Putin smiles during his meeting with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev in St Petersburg, Russia. Picture: AP Source: AP

"We would be bored if there were no rumours," Mr Putin said at a meeting with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev at the sumptuous Konstantinov's Palace just outside Saint Petersburg.

Last seen in Moscow ... Putin and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi shake hands at a news conference in the Kremlin on March 5. Picture: AP Source: AP

The Kremlin had insisted that he continued holding official meetings and released photos and video of Mr Putin at meetings on national television, but Russian media suggested the images had actually been shot much earlier.

Rumours ... the Kremlin's press service attempted to address speculation about Putin's health by issuing a photo of a meeting between Putin and the regional governor of Karelia. Picture: AP Source: AP

Mr Putin's decision to abruptly postpone a trip to Kazakhstan planned for last week fuelled speculation that he was unwell — or even dead.

Last week, several news outlets reported that a woman romantically linked to Mr Putin in the past had given birth, a possible explanation for the leader's unusual absence.