Vladimir Putin’s Childhood Discipline Recalled, Sparks Social Media Backlash

A video of Russian President Vladimir Putin recounting a childhood memory has become popular on social media. During a public meeting with the youth group ‘Movement of the First’ in Pyatigorsk, Putin discussed his mother’s disciplinary actions. However, social media users were not impressed with the story and demanded more details.

In the clip, when asked about his favorite childhood memory, Putin responded, “It’s a personal matter, but I’ll share the beginning of the story. My mother put me in a corner, and I can’t even remember why.” The clip was posted on X by Ukrainian Interior Ministry advisor Anton Gerashchenko.

Twitter users reacted to the video, with some seeking the interpretation of psychologists and others questioning the significance of the story. Gerashchenko’s post included the caption, “When asked about his kindest childhood memory, Putin shared this story (or whatever it is). Any psychologists here? What could it mean?”

Putin continued his narrative, stating, “For some time, she walked around, looking menacingly at me, asking, ‘Are you going to ask for forgiveness or not?’ I will tell you privately how this story ended, but I’ll skip some parts. In the end, she kissed me and pulled me out of that corner. But the way she did it, that’s a separate conversation.” English subtitles appeared in the clip.

Russian outlet RT shared a slightly shorter version of the video, providing an almost identical English translation but without any context. Russian news agency TASS reported that the incident took place when Putin was three or four years old.

Social media responses to the video varied, with one user describing it as a “plotless, narrative-free tale of sin and redemption.” Another user humorously commented, “I think he still is in that corner.” Some users criticized the lack of a middle part to the story.

Putin’s upbringing took place in the challenging environment of Soviet St Petersburg, where his mother Maria and father Vladimir raised him. The city was still recovering from the devastating effects of a siege by Nazi forces during World War II at the time of his birth in 1952.