The Kremlin has released an unusual video of Russian President Vladimir Putin from his International Women’s Day address on the 8th of March, in which the Russian leader is seen coughing and sniffing. The publication quickly sparked debate online about how what appears to be a draft or unedited version of the speech could have been made public, Ukrainian outlet Dialog.ua reports.
In the video, Putin points to his throat during the congratulatory speech and says: “You know, let me repeat that because it hurts. Yes, I almost started coughing. I’ve been speaking a lot.” He then begins coughing and sniffing.
Some observers suggested the clip may be a public relations move by the Kremlin intended to portray Putin as more relatable and human to the public. Others among pro-Kremlin commentators speculated that someone may be deliberately influencing public perceptions of the Russian leader amid criticism over the war against Ukraine.
Russian social media users actively discussed the video, with many convinced that the draft version of the address was published intentionally. Some commenters argued that the Kremlin is attempting to present its leader as “more humane and understandable” to ordinary citizens.
“Anyone with basic understanding can see it was done intentionally to show some humanity,”
some Russian users wrote online.
At the same time, other commentators raised a different theory. Members of Russia’s so-called “Z-patriot” circles suggested that the video leak might signal internal tensions within the Kremlin. Propagandist Lev Vershinin wrote that such a publication could not have happened by accident given the strict control over presidential media materials.
“When I heard about it, I didn’t believe it… Anyone who understands backstage processes knows this couldn’t have happened without approval. They simply could not have failed to check it before publication. Systemically speaking, this looks like a rebellion,” Vershinin wrote.
Meanwhile, the investigative project VChK‑OGPU, citing its sources, claims the publication of the draft recording was not accidental, but rather a calculated move by officials within the presidential administration.
According to these sources, the Kremlin’s internal control system—managed together with the Federal Protective Service of Russia—
subjects all materials, including photos, videos and draft recordings, to multiple layers of verification before publication.
Such an “accidental leak,” they say, would normally be impossible.
Putin reportedly operates under extremely strict information security measures: staff members are said to use button phones without internet access, their homes are monitored, and all media materials must be reviewed by presidential security personnel and specialised image editors before publication.
Sources cited by the project suggest the “leaked” video may have been a deliberate attempt to increase public interest in the Kremlin leader’s statements at a time when viewership of presidential speeches and visits to official Kremlin online platforms are reportedly declining among Russian audiences.
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