Main points
- A video appeared online with unsuccessful takes of Vladimir Putin's March 8 greeting, which became the subject of jokes on social networks.
- The video with the coughing and stuttering quickly went viral, and later an edited version without these moments appeared on the Kremlin website.
Putin embarrassed during greeting / Collage by Channel 24, photo Getty Images
Russian leader Vladimir Putin recorded a greeting for International Women's Day, but a version of the video with poorly taken shots has surfaced online. The video left out coughing, stumbling, and conversations between shots, which quickly became the subject of jokes on social media.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has found himself at the center of a controversy after posting a video greeting on International Women's Day, according to social media users.
How embarrassed was Putin?
In the video, which originally appeared on the Kremlin website, the bad shots were not cut out. The video left fragments with coughing, stuttering, and conversations between takes during the recording of the address. In particular, Putin in the frame says: “You know, let me say it again, because it got stuck. I coughed something. I talked a lot, very loudly.” After which he continues to cough and tries to continue the recording.
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Later, an edited version of the greeting, without the bad moments, appeared on the Kremlin website. However, the fragment with the takes has already gone viral on the Internet. Some users suggest that the video may have been published intentionally – supposedly to show that Putin's official addresses are not created with the help of artificial intelligence.
The comments under the video have been met with a range of reactions, from criticism and irony to praise from supporters of the Russian leader. In particular, users write: “This is so we don't think that AI is saying something,” “There are no coincidences in these offices,” or joke that “the operator just doesn't pick up the phone.”
What is known about other curious moments when Putin was embarrassed?
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Last year, Russian leader Putin once again disgraced himself with his statements in an interview with Russian propagandists. He talked about the seizure of Ukraine in 1-2 months, the “illegitimacy” of President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Russia's constant “deception.”
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Another curious moment was the meeting between the Russian dictator and the Chinese leader. Putin, during a meeting with Xi Jinping, could not pronounce his name correctly. Now the leader of China is “Xi Zhiping.”
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The Kremlin did not miss the opportunity to disgrace itself on the important Victory Day for them. In 2025, portraits of new “veterans” appeared on the website “Immortal Regiment Online”, including faces resembling Donald Trump, Kirill Budanov and Alexander Syrsky. These “veterans” were on the website for half a day before they were removed.