Russian whispers as Putin disappears from public view
The Russian channel WCzK-OGPU, which has sources close to the security services, confirms that the dictator has not been seen at the Kremlin lately. Recently, Putin has been absent from work and receives all reports exclusively through special communication channels, as reported by a source close to the dictator.
Associates receive the same message: "Putin is undergoing periodic medical check-ups and is recuperating". No one knows where he really is, said the source.
Earlier, the Russian "Agenstvo" reported that Putin has not appeared at public events for 13 days now. "This is a record period of absence, at least in the last three years", we read.
As the agency writes, this time Putin disappeared amid escalating Russian-American relations following Washington's permission for Kyiv to use ATACMS missiles to attack Russia.
Putin recorded in "cans." Schedule analyzed
The last time Putin appeared at a public event was on November 7, when he spoke at the Valdai Club forum.
Since then, only information about phone calls with leaders of other countries, pre-recorded video greetings, and reports from his meetings with Russian officials, deputies, and cultural representatives have been published on the Kremlin's website and his Telegram channel. These materials may, however, be "cans" (a term used by journalists to describe pre-recorded reports of Putin's meetings, which are published during his periods of absence - ed.), we read.
Journalist Farida Rustamova analyzed the meetings scheduled for November 7 in detail. She noted, among other things, that at a meeting with Putin, the head of the "New People" faction, Alexei Nechayev, was telling the president month-old news. Meanwhile, on the day of the Kremlin's announcement, Nechayev was in the State Duma wearing a different suit and had a different hairstyle. Similar discrepancies in the timing of communications regarding meetings with Putin and his public presence also involved two other politicians.
"He's never disappeared for such a long period"
"Agenstvo," with the help of the Kremlin's website, analyzed Putin's schedule from November 20, 2021, to November 20, 2024. Potential "cans" included Putin's personal meetings with officials, deputies, and social activists, as well as Security Council sessions conducted via videoconference, after which only photos were published.
The last time Putin disappeared for more than a week was in March 2023, when he did not appear publicly for eight days. In July 2022, his absence lasted nine days. Twice, the president disappeared for 11 days in the first half of 2022: from April 28 to May 8 and from December 30, 2021, to January 9, 2022.
