Putin's body language reveals rising anger over ukrainian advance
- Two movements that appeared in the recording indicate nervousness and anger. This time, Putin did not try to hide signals of dissatisfaction, says WP's Maurycy Seweryn, public speaking coach and body language expert. He analyzed footage from a meeting where the Russian president scolded the governor of the Kursk region, who was speaking about the Ukrainian army's successes on Russian territory.
Vladimir Putin held a special meeting regarding the situation in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces are occupying more areas. During the meeting, Alexei Smirnov, the region's acting governor, spoke. A fragment of the recording from the meeting was shared online. In it, Smirnov says that Ukraine already controls 28 locations in the region, and its forces have advanced seven miles into Russia.
Social media commentators highlight the Russian president's reaction to these words. "Putin, nervously playing with a pen, interrupted Smirnov and demanded a focus on the 'socio-economic situation' in the region," wrote independent Belarusian journalist Hanna Liubakova on the "X" platform.
Maurycy Seweryn, a public speaking coach and body language expert who has seen dozens of Putin’s appearances, analyzed the material. He commented on the Russian president’s nonverbal communication. "Putin’s movements were strong. The dissatisfaction was very intense. This time, he did not try to hide signals of anger," he said.
- When he started addressing the governor, he adopted a firm, decisive expression, although he finds it increasingly difficult due to Botox. It was a demonstration. He wanted to show that he still controlled the situation and was someone who knew the scale of Ukrainian military actions deep inside Russia, states Maurycy Seweryn.
An element of Putin’s imitation
The body language specialist points out an element by which Putin "wanted to show his authority" - moving his body away from the desk. He says it’s a signal usually interpreted as withdrawal, dissatisfaction, and, in the eyes of some, fear. However, in the case of the Russian president, it has a different dimension.
- This is a standard position that Putin adopts when he wants to demonstrate his power. It involves placing one hand on the table's edge, leaning the body in the opposite direction, with a slight leg extension into the "starter" position - the latter is not visible at the table. Still, this movement was seen many times when analyzing previous materials. This behaviour appeared as an element of Vladimir Putin’s imitation when he was Anatoly Sobchak’s deputy, the first mayor of St. Petersburg. It stemmed from the fact that as a KGB and then FSB agent, Putin did not have habits related to conducting politics, so he modelled his behaviour on Sobchak, he indicates.
- At the time when reports of a full-scale war in Ukraine emerged, many commentators treated it as a sign of illness, as a block to stop his hand from trembling. They were wrong because it’s a learned, demonstrative behaviour. People who have seen Putin for three decades have gotten used to him showing his power this way, adds Seweryn.
Movements signalling nervousness and anger
Seweryn also points to another element directly indicating the Russian dictator’s dissatisfaction during Monday’s meeting. "It’s a one-second movement of adjusting the pen, closing the cap - it means 'I close the topic,' but at the same time, it serves to feel something with his hand that in a stressful situation gives a sense of security - it’s an alternative to atavistic behaviour, namely touching, a helping hand, hugging," the body language expert believes.
According to Maurycy Seweryn, Putin does not often signal anger, rage, or fear. He believes that the Russian president has a very well-developed communication system, so sudden movements are rare for him. Such was the manipulation of the pen and placing it to the side of the desk.
The sudden movement of putting the pen down showed that Putin was nervous. On the one hand, it’s a demonstration for viewers: adopting stable, consistent postures that Russians are used to, a strong voice, firm and decisive, and a well-controlled facial expression. On the other hand, two movements appeared in the recording, signalling nervousness and anger, explained the specialist.
Seweryn concludes that the recording shows that mentally Putin was not prepared for the fact that, for the first time since 1941, someone has militarily entered Russian territory and occupied dozens of locations. He diverts attention from the military by playing the role of a "good master and ruler." He publicly reprimands the governor, saying he is interested in the fate of displaced people. In reality, he doesn’t want Russians to see the true scale of Ukrainian actions in the Kursk region and on Russian territory.
