A leaked video clip shows Vladimir Putin struggling to speak while coughing repeatedly during a recorded address for **International Women's Day on March 8, 2026.

The footage appears to be an outtake from the speech recording and shows Putin pausing mid-sentence as he experiences a coughing fit lasting roughly 30 seconds before attempting to continue speaking. The clip was briefly uploaded by the Kremlin to its official Telegram channel before being quickly deleted and replaced with an edited version of the address.

The accidental release of the unedited footage quickly circulated online, prompting renewed discussion about the 73-year-old leader’s health. Similar episodes in past years have fueled speculation regarding Putin’s physical condition, though Russian officials have consistently dismissed such claims.

No official medical explanation has been provided for the coughing episode. The Kremlin’s reuploaded version of the speech removes the interruption, presenting a polished recording of the address.

While the incident may simply reflect a temporary cough during filming, the brief leak has once again drawn attention to the long-running scrutiny surrounding the Russian president’s health.