Taking Selfies, Drawing Comics, and Inviting Girls... Putin's Unusual Moves

Frequent Public Appearances After Prigozhin Rebellion
Foreign Media: "A Performance to Appear Considerate"

Following the armed rebellion by the Wagner Group, which was assessed to have dealt a 'fatal blow' to his governance, President Vladimir Putin is demonstrating his resilience through an active propaganda campaign. Having recently been seen meeting with citizens daily, President Putin is now attempting to project a 'warm image' by personally inviting a young child to the Kremlin.

On the 4th (local time), according to foreign media including the UK’s Sky News, President Putin invited Raisat Akipova (female, 8 years old) and her parents to the Kremlin. He extended the invitation after seeing a photo of Akipova crying because she was unable to meet him during his visit to Derbent in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia, on the 28th of last month.

Russian President Vladimir Putin invited an 8-year-old girl to the Kremlin on the 4th (local time) and presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
[Photo by AP and Yonhap News]

In a video released by the Kremlin, President Putin personally handed a bouquet of flowers to Akipova and her mother, smiled, and gave them a tour of the palace. He also called Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and handed the phone to Akipova, while requesting additional budget support for Dagestan.

Minister Siluanov appeared initially flustered and did not respond to the girl’s greeting, but after an explanation, he quickly agreed to the budget support. President Putin promised, "We will provide 5 billion rubles (approximately 71.3 billion won) for Dagestan."

Sky News pointed out, "Every scene was designed to show that Putin is caring, thoughtful, and in control."

President Putin left Moscow and visited Derbent in the Republic of Dagestan on the 28th of last month, just four days after Yevgeny Prigozhin halted the rebellion.
[Photo by AP·Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, just four days after Yevgeny Prigozhin halted the rebellion, President Putin left Moscow on the 28th of last month to visit Derbent in the Republic of Dagestan.

There, he shook hands with cheering crowds, took 'selfies' with them, and showed a joyful demeanor by hugging children. On the 29th, he attended a technology expo in Moscow, where he created a unique image by drawing famous cartoon characters directly on a whiteboard.

Foreign media analyzed that his unusual actions were intended to demonstrate that he still enjoys strong public support.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.