Vladimir Putin has been left humiliated as his motorcade drove past a huge Ukraine flag while the Russian President was visiting Kazakhstan.
The flag was displayed on a giant screen close to the road where Putin’s car was driving down.
The screen, located next to the opera theatre in the capital Astana, was supposed to display the Russian flag.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has confirmed that a criminal investigation has been launched into the incident.
They said: “All possible causes are being considered, including technical malfunctions as well as potential external unlawful interference in the functioning processes of the company’s equipment.
“A criminal case has been initiated, and all circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated.
“Those responsible for the unlawful actions will be held accountable.”
The deputy director of the billboard operators, Keruen Media, claimed that the screen was not hacked but instead had a short circuit error.
This comes as speculation around Putin’s health once again comes to the fore. The Russian leader, 72, looked confused as he stepped out from his presidential plane.
Putin travelled to Kazakhstan to discuss trade and energy.
Kazakhstan has sought to distance itself from the war in Ukraine but remains reliant on Russia for its exports.
While in the country, Putin said: “Our countries are … constructively cooperating in the oil and gas sector. Russia – Kazakhstan: a union demanded by life and looking to the future.”
Kazakstan is considering sending more of its crude oil exports to Turkey to try and reduce its dependency on Russia.
Putin’s trip comes at a chaotic time for Russia, both domestically and internationally.
At home, Putin’s economy is suffering from soaring inflation and the crash of the ruble.
Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine continues to escalate following Moscow’s use of a ballistic missile last week.
This week, Putin threatened to strike Kyiv with a new missile as he responded to a New York Times report claiming that the US could give Ukraine nuclear weapons.
Putin said he could strike “decision-making centres” if this were to happen.
He added: “In this case, we will accept and use everything, I want to emphasise this, namely all the means of destruction at Russia’s disposal.”
