Putin Appeared 'Fearful' and 'Lacking in Status' on Rare Visit to Military Base as Bombs Rain Down on Russia

Vladimir Putin visited top military brass over the weekend in Russia and a body language expert said he showed signs of fear during his visit.

Footage showed the Kremlin leader arriving at a command headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, a city located just 76 miles from Ukraine’s border, the Daily Express US reported.

In the video, Putin is seen getting out of a black SUV before meeting military personnel. Body language expert Judi James told the publication he looked “wary and lacking in status signals” and he had an expression “that might normally suggest fear.”

Putin, who war analysts believe made the journey to portray himself as in control of his regime, met with General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian General Staff, and senior officers as bombs rained down on Russian soil.

James told the Daily Express US, “It’s an unusual move to arrive jacketless and dress yourself while your greeter is waiting but Putin’s body language is unusual throughout this clip, from a deflated start with submissive eye expressions that show one micro-gesture eye-rounding that looks fearful to the re-booted, alpha leader who is sitting at the power seat addressing the meeting.”

She added, “Greeting rituals are such a signal of power and intent for world leaders and this one by Putin looks truncated and suggests a man who is distracted.”

Never miss a story — sign up for the Front Page Detectives newsletter. Be on the scene the moment news breaks.

The Institute for the Study of War noted, “Putin’s visit to the SMD headquarters is likely a public gesture that he continues to side with Gerasimov and his group of commanders despite these commanders’ failure to stop Wagner’s rebellion or achieve the war aims Putin set for them,” the Daily Express US reported.

The institute added: “Putin’s visit occurred about two months after the rebellion, and he is likely attempting to portray himself as in control of his regime and military.”