Kathrine Frich
For years, Vladimir Putin has carefully controlled how and when he appears in public.
His tightly managed image reflects deep concerns about security, health and perception.
That caution has increasingly shaped how the Kremlin presents the Russian president, down to the smallest visual details.
A staged schedule
Investigative journalists from the Russian outlet Sistema say recent Kremlin videos were not recorded when officials claimed.
According to their analysis, footage released on December 15 and 16 was filmed much earlier.
The recordings were presented as proof that Putin was working continuously after returning from foreign travel.
Sistema argues they were instead prepared in advance and released later to create that impression.
The key clue, the journalists say, stood quietly in the corner of the president’s office.
The missing tree
A New Year’s tree decorated with red and gold ornaments appeared in Putin’s office during a December 9 meeting with Gennady Krasnikov, head of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
It was also visible two days later during talks with Constitutional Court chairman Valery Zorkin.
After Putin returned from Turkmenistan, the tree vanished. In videos of meetings scheduled for December 15 and 16, the festive decoration was nowhere to be seen.
According to Sistema, Kremlin camerawork was carefully adjusted to avoid showing the corner where the tree had previously stood.
Pens and pencils
The journalists believe the meeting with United Russia official Vladimir Yakushev, officially dated December 15, actually took place on November 1.
They point to the arrangement of pens and pencils on Putin’s desk, which matched earlier recordings from that period rather than December.
In the later videos, the chair appeared positioned where the tree had once stood.
This, Sistema argues, suggests the tree was never present during the filming of those meetings.
A familiar pattern
The Kremlin has previously released delayed or pre-recorded videos at least 16 times, according to Sistema.
The tactic is used to reinforce the image of an active president constantly engaged in state business.
Journalists sent questions to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov seeking clarification. Peskov reportedly read the message on Telegram but did not respond.
Sources: Sistema investigative project, O2.
