Putin 'beheaded' on screen during New Year speech, Internet asks whether TV officials 'have been shot yet'
Russian television officials will reportedly face punishment after Vladimir Putin was “beheaded” on TV during his New Year’s address. As the Russian president delivered his message to the nation against a backdrop of the Kremlin, his head and eyes were not visible on screens. The error happened on a channel in Kaliningrad, the country’s westernmost region, which claimed a "technical glitch” was responsible for it, The Sun reported. Putin addresses the country every year on New year. His message is broadcast a few minutes before midnight in each of Russia’s 11 time zones.
The Russian strongman’s upper part of the face was invisible on Kaskad TV during this year's message. After realizing their mistake, the editors of the channel soon stopped the program on both television and the Internet and played music instead. They blamed a “technical glitch” for the error and extended their “sincere apologies to the viewers”. However, no apology statement was issued for Putin. The editors said an “investigation of the incident is ongoing” and added, “those who are guilty will be punished”. The statement did not mention what kind of punishment will be given to the employees responsible for the mistake. It also did not name them, but speculation was there whether the wrongdoers were “shot”.
A viewer reportedly recorded the error and shared it on social media which attracted a lot of attention. “Were the guilty shot yet?” one person asked. A second user said, “He is a KGB man after all, no-one should see his full face.” “Everyone knows that there is only botox up there,” the third user commented while the fourth one added, “Kaput to Kaskad TV."
Putin’s annual address this year was reportedly the longest-ever, which lasted six minutes. He spoke about the difficulties and problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The 68-year-old also asked the citizens to have faith in themselves. He mentioned that “not all of us are at the New Year table right now” due to death and illness, but applauded doctors and the emergency services’ work during the difficult times.
This comes after in late December Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was quoted saying Putin told him that “he will be vaccinated himself”. Peskov also said that the leader will himself disclose “when and how it happened”. Peskov’s statement came during the time when past American presidents came forward to take the Covid-19 vaccine to encourage the common people to do so. But the scene in Russia was completely different as it was not clear when Putin will get the Sputnik V shot. The spokesperson added that since Putin did not receive the vaccination, it does not mean it’s not trustworthy.
Peskov said there is "absolutely" no connection. “We don’t see any connection here. After the Health Ministry’s conclusion on one vaccine, other vaccines will follow then, and then the president will make a decision,” he added. Previously on December 17, Putin said at his annual press conference that he would get the dose at the earliest. He also stated that he will follow guidelines set by experts over age restrictions at this stage.