Overview
- An unedited Kremlin clip briefly posted on its Telegram channel showed Vladimir Putin coughing, gesturing to his throat and asking to re‑record his International Women’s Day address.
- The post was removed within minutes and replaced by a cleaned-up version on official outlets that omitted the coughing.
- Newsweek reported a basic AI-detector assessment indicating the footage is likely authentic.
- A Kremlin press-pool reporter called the publication a “weekend mistake” with no special investigation, as commentators debated an accidental blunder versus a deliberate leak.
- The moment revived recurring health speculation, though Western intelligence assessments and the Kremlin offer no evidence that Putin is seriously ill.