The Russian president suffered a coughing fit during a televised meeting with the leader struggling to finish a sentence. It happened as he spoke to top officials about “acute financial problems” emerging from the coronavirus pandemic.
The original video was edited to make the cough appear less severe so it could be uploaded to the Kremlin website.
State news agency TASS reported that Mr Putin “apologised and continued the meeting almost without pausing”.
The agency enquired about Mr Putin’s health and was told he was “absolutely normal”.
Mr Putin excused himself before repeatedly covering his mouth with his hand as the coughing fit turned more critical.
He is believed to have so far avoided contracting the virus, unlike other world leaders such as UK Prime minister Boris Jonson, who fought the disease earlier this year.
Radio Mayak which had broadcast an original video said: “Putin’s vocal cords gave in as he was setting his government to fight COVID-19.”
Earlier this month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refuted claims that Mr Putin intended to leave office in January 2021.
The rumour followed speculations that Mr Putin had Parkinson’s disease.
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He gave the update as he told Brics leaders the latest developments in the country’s fight against the virus.
Mr Putin said: “There are Russian vaccines — they work effectively and safely.
“It is very important to join forces for the mass production of these products for wide circulation.”
He added that, as well as the two authorised vaccines, a third jab was “in the works”.
