Bloodthirsty warmonger Vladimir Putin coughed and spluttered his way through an angry New Year's rant as he lashed out at the West.
The 70-year-old, who is rumoured to be plagued by failing health, was flanked by men and women in military uniforms as he gave a rambling speech about his catastrophic war.
A video of his New Year's address immediately sparked suspicions that some of those alongside him could be actors, as one of the women looks remarkably similar to a figure from previous appearances.
The Russian President look strained and exhausted as he repeated his lies that he was taking on Nazis in Ukraine and that the West wanted to use Ukraine as a tools to destroy Russia.
An estimated 100,000 Russian lives have been lost since Putin launched the invasion in February, arrogantly expecting Kiev would topple in days.
His forces are accused of hundreds of war crimes and Russian citizens have endured the impact of sanctions as Moscow found itself even more isolated on the world stage.
But the ailing President refused to admit he was wrong, stating: “2022 was a year of difficult, necessary decisions, the most important steps towards gaining full sovereignty of the Russian Federation and powerful consolidation of society.
“This year has clearly put everything in its place, separated courage and heroism from betrayal and cowardice.”
The former KGB officer - who is claimed to be fighting cancer - claimed to be guiding Russians to “our common future, our true independence”.
Poorly equipped Russian troops continue to die in their hundreds as Ukrainian forces regain territory.
In an appeal for unity he claimed to be "fighting for, protecting our people on our own territories”.
“The main thing is the fate of Russia," he said in the nine-minute New Year's speech - the longest of his Presidency.
"Moral, historical truth is on our side. Western elites have been reassuring us for years of their peaceful intentions, including to resolve the conflict in Donbas.
“In fact, they encouraged the Nazis in Ukraine. The West lied about peace, but was preparing for aggression.”
Eagle-eyed viewers were quick to voice suspicion about the "military" officers alongside him.
The Russian President is notoriously cautious, and commentators claimed to recognise one of the troops alongside him. A woman with a striking resemblance to her had featured in a previous speech appearing to pose as a mum with a young daughter.
"They used this actress, again, for a picture prop," said one social media user.
Another wrote: "The woman behind him is an actor. She also played the part of one of the mothers of soldiers in another Putin publicity stunt."
He hit out at the sanctions imposed by the West, initially in 2014 after he annexed Crimea from Ukraine.
“But this year a sanctions war was declared on us, they expected the destruction of the Russian Federation, but this did not happen.
“We have a margin of safety. We have become an example for other states that are striving for a multipolar world.”
He urged Russians to stick together this new year amid signs of growing dissent.
“Now is the best time to leave all grievances and misunderstandings, to remind loved ones how important it is to take care of each other.”
He vowed: “Together we will overcome all difficulties, we will keep our country great and independent.
“We will win and go only forward for the sake of our families and Russia.
“For the sake of the future of our only and beloved homeland.”
