Putin well being fears develop as leaked video exhibits him coughing and spluttering
Vladimir Putin was forced to halt and restart his International Women’s Day message after coughing and spluttering in unedited footage initially broadcast before being removed
The incident has raised questions about Putin’s health
Vladimir Putin was forced to stop filming a television broadcast commemorating International Women’s Day after he started coughing and spluttering beyond control.
The Russian president, 73, had to reshoot the recording. In what appears to be an oversight by his propaganda setup, the complete sequence was originally broadcast, exposing the coughing episode to audiences.
The clip is set to spark renewed speculation regarding Putin’s well-being, after previous disclosures from investigative reporters revealed that he never journeys without a leading thyroid cancer specialist surgeon. Ukrainian sources also suggested that an insider might have intentionally released the humiliating footage.
Military expert Denis Kazansky commented: “You build an image of a young and strong leader [Putin], and then someone leaks one video, and this whole image collapses, and a sick, decrepit old man appears before everyone. It seems that it was leaked on purpose, because the sick senile man has annoyed everyone.”, reports the Mirror.
Putin had been filming a tribute honouring International Women’s Day on March 8, a significant celebration in Russia, addressing women: “Of course, it’s very challenging to juggle everything – to impress with your beauty and charm whilst simultaneously being hard-working, determined, and resilient.
“But you manage it.”
He battled through to the conclusion of the text whilst attempting to stifle his cough before informing his team: “You know, let me say it again, because I had a tickle in my throat. I almost coughed.”
He attributed the raspiness to excessive speaking, stating: “I spoke a lot today.”
However, he then started coughing persistently, occasionally lifting his hand to cover his mouth.
A voice off-camera enquired: “Can I bring you some water?” Putin attempted to regain control, responding: “No. Let’s continue.
“Let’s get to work..”
Following his recovery, he resumed the recording, declaring: “Dear women, I am sincerely happy to congratulate you on International Women’s Day. We always celebrate this holiday with the warmest, most heartfelt feelings..”
The coughing episode was initially aired on official state channels and social media before censors stepped in. It was subsequently replaced with a sanitised version that cut out the coughing.
It marked the second apparent blunder in a week by Putin’s propaganda machine. Previously, a “death mask” image of Putin surfaced in an unguarded video shot through a gap in a Kremlin door.
The raw footage revealed the Russian leader appearing strained and exhausted, looking noticeably older with drooping jowls and weary eyes. The keyhole-style clip was filmed during Putin’s meeting with Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko at the Kremlin.
Reports have previously suggested that leading Moscow oncologist Dr Yevgeny Selivanov, from Moscow’s Central Clinical Hospital, has accompanied Putin on numerous journeys. The thyroid specialist is believed to be one of up to 13 medical professionals who have travelled with the Russian leader.
Selivanov was once spotted in close proximity to an officer carrying Putin’s nuclear briefcase. Symptoms of thyroid cancer can manifest as a lump in the thyroid region, voice hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, neck and throat pain, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and a dry or scratchy cough.
In a separate development, Donald Trump downplayed the significance of any assistance Russia might be providing to Iran amidst the ongoing Middle East conflict. “If they are, it’s not helping [Iran] very much, if you take a look at what’s happened to Iran in the last week,” the US president informed journalists.
This comes after reports that Putin is supplying Tehran with spy satellite intelligence. There were also rumours several years ago that Putin had been diagnosed with abdominal cancer, among other health issues.
Speculation arose that the medication used to treat cancer may have influenced his decision-making when he initiated the war in Ukraine. However, the Kremlin has consistently maintained that Putin is in perfect health.
