Something went wrong inside the Kremlin on International Women's Day — and the world got four minutes to see it before someone hit delete.
A video posted to the Russian president's official Telegram channel capturedVladimir Putin grinding to a haltmid-address, reaching for his throat and coughing for around 30 seconds before composing himself. It vanished from the channel without explanation.
Twenty minutes later a polished replacement appeared — running at half the length, with the stumble nowhere to be seen — in which Putin smoothly praised women's ability to "captivate with beauty and charm while also showing diligence, determination and resilience." It comes aftera doomsday study revealed the only two countries that will survive a nuclear WW3.
In the unedited footage, Putin can be heard saying: "You know, let me say that again, because my throat is a bit scratchy. I almost started coughing. I've been talking a lot today."
For a leader whose every public appearance is choreographed to project strength and control, the footage represented an extraordinary crack in the facade.
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InsideRussia, the question being asked is not what happened to Putin's throat — but who allowed the footage out. Pro-Kremlin blogger Lev Vershinin argued on Telegram that the publication could not have been accidental. He wrote: "Anyone with even a passing understanding of the behind-the-scenes process will confirm that this shouldn't have been possible. They couldn't have failed to check before publishing it. In systemic terms, it looks like a revolt."
Ukrainian journalist Denys Kazansky took the same view, suggesting insiders had grown tired of managing an image that no longer matched reality. He wrote: "You try to present yourself as a young, strong leader, and then someone leaks a single video and your whole image crumbles," adding that those around Putin were exhausted by "this ailing, senile old man."
Here are the top six health concerns that have plagued Putin recent times:
The coughing video is far from the first time Putin's physical condition has attracted scrutiny. During a visit to meetDonald Trump, the Russian president was seen limping noticeably as he descended the stairs of his official Ilyushin Il-96-300PU aircraft — known as the Flying Kremlin — and was forced to stop halfway down to collect himself before continuing. He received a warm reception on the red carpet, including a pat on the back from Trump.
Source: Drudge Report
