The arrangement of books on the shelves in Putin's office, the arrangement of pens, the elements of clothing of people with whom the Russian president meets – all this was taken under the microscope by journalists implementing the “System” project. The differences in detail visible in the photos allowed them to conclude that what is sometimes published as a live performance is in fact a recreated recording, sometimes even from several months ago. The authors of the project called these recordings “canned goods” – in their opinion, they help create the image of the Russian president as a person constantly concerned with the affairs of his country and keeping his finger on the pulse.
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What conclusions did journalists draw about Putin's recordings?
What details in Putin's office caught the attention of journalists?
What examples of 'canned food' are given in the article?
Why didn't the Kremlin answer journalists' questions?
Radio Svoboda: The Kremlin published old recordings
Radio Swoboda reported its findings for the first time at the end of October. An example of the use of “canned food” was May 12, when Vladimir Putin allegedly met the governor of the Ivanovo region. According to journalists, however, the arrangement of books on the shelves in the office is inconsistent. It is “old”, i.e. from before February 2025. The authors of the project suggest that on that day Putin could have spent the day in the company of his sons' mother, Alina Kabaeva, because it was her birthday.
In total, at least five such “tinned foods” were published between February and August, reports Radio Swoboda. The key to their discovery was again Putin's bookcase.
Now, on social media, journalists from the “System” project provide more examples – these are meetings with various Kremlin officials who “disagree” with elements of clothing or jewelry. These are details that are very difficult to detect, because meeting participants are properly instructed in advance and are expected to dress identically to those in the recordings. However, this is not always possible. For example, Svetlana Chupasheva, head of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, was featured in the recording broadcast on April 9. On the same day, she actually attended another meeting as well. In his photos, he is wearing the same clothes, but with different earrings. This detail apparently escaped her notice.
Telegram/System
A similar oversight was made by another official, Svetlana Radionova, who, in photos from two different meetings held on the same day, was wearing different accessories on the same hand – on one a bracelet, on another a watch.
Telegram/System
According to journalists, the use of “tinned food” is also indicated by the location of pens and pencils on Putin's desk. For example, during Putin's meeting with Chupseva in September 2025, the writing utensils are arranged exactly as they were during the meeting with Radionova in October. Nearly a month and a half passed between the two meetings, and nine other events took place in Putin's office. And every time the pens and pencils were arranged differently, except for these two meetings.
The Kremlin never answered questions from “System” journalists about the use of “canned food.”
