Kathrine Frich
The strange footage breathed new life into an old rumor about the Kremlin leader.
Public appearances by world leaders are usually staged events designed to project strength.
But when the script falls apart on camera, the internet quickly steps in.
A recent press conference sparked a wild new wave of conspiracy theories.
Stumbling for words
The Russian president met with reporters to discuss a massive drone strike on his capital. Viewers immediately noticed something unusual about his delivery.
Vladimir Putin appeared to lose his train of thought while commenting on the attack. The broadcast captured his awkward pauses and clear hesitation according to O2.
His stuttering performance quickly went viral online. The strange footage breathed new life into an old rumor about the Kremlin leader.
Wild theories return
For roughly two years, a Telegram channel called General SVR has promoted a bizarre claim. The authors insist that the Russian leader regularly uses a body double.
These rumors previously peaked in late 2023. At that time, the channel claimed Putin had suffered a heart attack and faced a planned coup.
Those stories turned out to be false. Dmitry Peskov, a Russian spokesman, told the RIA Novosti news agency the claims were an “absurd information provocation.”
Despite the official denial, General SVR never retracted the story. The channel points to the stuttering broadcast as fresh evidence of a lookalike.
A massive strike
The confusing press conference followed a major military escalation. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, forces shot down over 1,900 drones during the attack.
Officials also intercepted guided bombs and cruise missiles. However, the Ukrainian General Staff reported that a Moscow oil refinery was a primary target.
Following the heavy strikes, the targeted plant reportedly shut down. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to Telegram to explain the strategy behind the operations.
According to Zelenskyy, the attacked facilities generate millions for the Russian military. He noted that the strikes aim to severely impact the situation around Moscow.
Retaliatory measures
During his speech, Putin fired back at the Ukrainian tactics. He claimed that his rivals started the fight on every front.
“Are these toys, child’s play?” Putin asked. He promised further retaliatory measures while insisting that Ukraine’s proposals to end the conflict remain valid.
The Russian leader admitted that Moscow must carefully consider its next steps. He questioned why the strikes targeted major civilian warehouses.
He specifically pointed to attacks on facilities owned by Ozon and Wildberries. These two e-commerce giants control a significant portion of the local economy.
