Vladimir Putin accused of staging hospital visit as patient looks oddly familiar – World News

One of the “patients” Vladimir Putin spoke to at a military hospital in Moscow appeared to be the same “factory worker” he was pictured with at a previous meeting, according to “counterpropaganda” expert Adam Rang.

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Vladimir Putin visits the Moscow Military Hospital

Vladimir Putin is accused of staging a visit to a military hospital.

Online users claimed they recognized one of the “patients” from a previous event.

Putin met the man while talking to wounded soldiers at a military hospital in Moscow.

After the trip, the Russian despot described the troops as “heroes” at a televised meeting with officials.

However, Adam Rang, an Estonia-based “counter-propaganda” expert, tweeted: “Putin was meeting with a wounded soldier who, by a strange coincidence, was also a factory worker whom he had previously met.”

Mr Rang shared an image that appeared to show the “soldier” at another event.

In a later tweet, Mr Rang said: “Some people have their doubts. It’s not conclusive, but it appears to be the same person – and there’s certainly nothing new about this tactic by Putin.

“In 2007 there was even a rioter in Estonia who showed up as a protester in Donbas, Ukraine, in 2014.

“Putin’s use of ‘extras’ for media stunts has been well documented by Russians for more than a decade. This one is really not very clear. So let’s look at some better examples.”

Mr Rang shared a BBC article showing that the “ordinary Russians” whom Putin allegedly met at a previous event turned out to be officials or had ties to the regime.

He also published other stories about how the despot staged meetings with supposed citizens and “factory workers”.

The counter-propaganda expert said the “prepared audience” had become productive since Putin was booed while performing at a martial arts match in Moscow.

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A body language expert said Putin appeared to “zip up” and look more confident as he faced wounded troops in his most recent public appearance.

dr Lillian Glass told The Mirror that there had been a “psychological shift” in the 69-year-old’s demeanor compared to previous appearances.

She said: “He looks a lot more confident than before, he has a zip in his crotch. He doesn’t look as stiff as he used to, and his gait is a bit more robust than when he entered the room.

“He puts out his hand – it’s like he’s trotting. He has more momentum in his gait and walks faster. His posture is also quite upright.”

dr Drawing attention to the moment Putin meets the soldiers, Glass said he wasn’t smiling as he greeted them, but rather beamed more and more as the meeting progressed.

She said: “That’s pretty inappropriate. He gives a small smile, a slight smile.

“Now he has a big smile. The soldiers seem very happy.”

Sickness rumors were raging earlier this week when Putin was spotted tapping his foot and holding on to his chair during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

But dr Glass believes the latest clip shows a “change since we last saw it.”

She added: “His face is broader but he’s also getting older. That usually happens.

“He’s reaching out and looking really happy – he’s touching the boys.

“The only thing you can really believe in is body language. He’s definitely looking sturdy and confident at this moment, and his crotch has a zipper.”