Putin’s disappearing act has generated a flurry of speculation, some suggesting he might be retreating to a new secure bunker, others citing health reasons, and others suggesting he is deliberately trying to stay out of the spotlight. Put in other words, he was last seen on November 7, while addressing the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, where he praised Trump’s election success, adding that he was open for dialogue to ” stop the war”.
Pre-recorded Appearances?
Some recent televised appearances by Putin, meetings included with political leaders, have caused doubts regarding their authenticity. Observers have pointed out that discrepancies suggest that some of this footage may have been recorded weeks earlier. For example:
-A meeting with Alexei Nechayev referenced outdated parliamentary proceedings.
-Other politicians shown with Putin were spotted in public on the same days, coinciding with the required quarantine protocol for such meetings.
These “canned” broadcasts, which analysts have called increasingly frequent and astonishing, are often aimed at maintaining an image of Putin working continuously.
Escalation of tensions
During Putin’s absence, Russia announced updates to its nuclear doctrine, allowing for possible strikes in response to non-nuclear threats. This follows the reports that Ukraine had fired American-supplied ATACMS missiles against a Russian munitions depot in Bryansk.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of the Kremlin Security Council, upped the stakes by stating that NATO supplying advanced weaponry to Ukraine could trigger a nuclear response and World War Three.
Impact on Ukraine and Global Relations
Ukraine, emboldened by Western military support, has used long-range U.S., British, and French missiles to target Russian positions. However, President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern about potential reductions in U.S. aid, stating that a cut could undermine Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defense.
Meanwhile, international tensions soared as the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv temporarily closed, citing credible intelligence of a significant Russian air attack.
Personal and Strategic Speculation
Adding to the intrigue, Putin’s rumored partner, Alina Kabaeva, appeared in Qatar for a gymnastics event. Reports suggest Putin may be avoiding high-risk zones like Sochi, within range of Ukrainian drones.
As the conflict escalates and the Kremlin ramps up nuclear rhetoric, Putin’s unexplained absence underscores the opaque nature of Russian leadership during a period of mounting global anxiety.
