Russian President Vladimir Putin became the subject of social media mockery after struggling to operate a computer while casting his vote online in the country's State Duma elections, held between September 18 and 20. Footage showed the 73-year-old leader squinting at the screen, inching closer to the monitor, and struggling with his mouse before completing the process. His left hand remained clenched in a fist on the desk, and he gave a small smile after finishing, nodded, closed his folder, and rose from his seat.
The camera then panned to the screen to confirm his vote was submitted successfully, but viewers focused on a pop-up in the bottom right corner. Social media users quickly shared memes and jokes about his 'vintage' approach to technology.
Social media reacts to Putin's computer skills
User @GlushkoDenys quipped on X: 'Could someone please activate the old man's Windows? A nuclear power, and they still can't afford a license.' @1_spp poked fun at Putin's '2008 Dell monitor', while @SpHirinn said he appeared to have 'never used a computer'.
@MarioNawfal joked: 'Bro looks like my uncle playing Solitaire on Windows XP ?', given the president's squinting and straining. @stuartgurba branded him 'Grandpa Putin', while @DusanAcimCoder said he 'can't wait for people to start editing he was playing a video game or some other stuff but what he actually did'.
Election context and intelligence warnings
Polls suggest Putin's United Russia Party is likely to win the majority of seats in the Duma. Meanwhile, European leaders remain concerned that Putin may escalate his war against Ukraine and attacks on Kyiv's allies.
An intelligence source told The Telegraph that Putin is laying the ground for a 'stealth mobilisation' following the weekend's election. 'What we are seeing is administrative preparations to make it possible to do it, if that was the decision,' the source said.
Poland's warning and recent attacks
After repeated attacks near the Nato border, Poland's premier, Donald Tusk, issued a warning. According to the Associated Press, Tusk said Russia will pretend hybrid drone and rocket strikes on European countries supporting Ukraine are 'accidental'. He told the Polish parliament that Putin's goal will be to 'paralyse or at least weaken the motivation of Nato countries'.
Tusk said: 'There is a real risk that drones or other types of projectiles will enter the territory of one or several countries on the eastern flank and even cause destruction.' He vowed that 'if anyone dares to attack us, they will face a resolute response from us and our allies'. Tusk also insisted that Moscow will not enter peace talks without 'total capitulation' from Ukraine.
A drone hit a petrol station near Ukraine's border with Poland yesterday, with a military spokesperson confirming air defences were activated as airports temporarily suspended operations. On Thursday, missiles and drones hit more than 10 locations in the Ukrainian capital and damaged 33 sites in the wider region, injuring at least 19 people, including a 10-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy.
