There's a video on the network where Vladimir Putin interrupts wishes for Women's Day several times because of coughing and throat problems. The material was quickly removed from the official Kremlin channels, but copies were able to run the Internet. The video rekindled speculation on the state of health of the Russian president.
Putin's cough video runs online
I'm gonna say it again because I feel like it. Putin congratulated Russian women on International Women's Day, but the Kremlin forgot to cut the failed shot from the congratulations video.
At 2:55, the president starts coughing up like a dog, pointing to his throat, asking for water and leaving the propaganda role.
The network received an uncensored passage of Vladimir Putin's wishes on Women's Day, recorded for the purposes of the Kremlin's propaganda material. On the video, the Russian president interrupts the speech, starts coughing, reaches to his throat and asks for water, and then announces that "he will say again".
According to media coverage, the recording was available for several minutes on the official channels of the Russian authorities before being replaced with a shorter, "smooth" version without cough. Such an error in the Kremlin's propaganda apparatus occurs extremely rarely and the more attracted attention of commentators.
What the "Kreml's accident" looked like
Servants suggest the Tsar was deliberately framed. A day earlier, the propagandists had published an unedited greeting to Putin, during which he began coughing and nearly choked. However, there are rumors in the swamp circles: anyone who knows a little bit of the scene of the case will confirm that this could not have happened. They couldn't have not checked it before it was published. They just couldn't. Rebellion?
The revealed material shows Putin ending his wish sentence, then suddenly breaking the speech and pointing at his throat with a gesture. There's a persistent cough, and in the background there's a proposal to administer water that the president initially rejects, trying to continue the recording.
It is only after a while that Putin gathers, improves in the chair and begins again, repeating a piece of wish to Russian women. In the final, official version of the speech, only a smooth, unfailing passage was shown, in which the Russian leader praises "beautiful, industrious and persistent" women.
What exactly did Putin say?
In one of Putin's wishes, he speaks of "heart feelings, respect and gratitude" towards Russian women, including women supporting the Russian army on the fronts of the war in Ukraine. He also stresses that Russia "with special warmth" celebrates Women's Day and wishes health and prosperity to "all loved ones".
Putin's health speculation
The video immediately sparked an avalanche of comments on the health of the Russian president, who has been subject to speculation for years. The media resembles previous reports of cough attacks, chest pains, or mobility problems, described by anonymous sources and channels on the Telegram.
Experts point out that cough alone does not have to prove serious illness – it may be a simple cold, fatigue or the effect of many hours of recording. However, in the case of such a controlled image as Putin's, any unplanned staff becomes a fuel for the theory of his supposedly serious health problems.
Kremlin Traditionally does not comment in detail the President's health and is limited to ensuring that "everything is fine". Instead of explanations, Russian state media focus on an official, edited recording in which Putin appears to be calm and fully in control of the situation.
