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Putin's State of the Nation address, as told in GIFs Grown men pretend to be awake for a lecture by the President

Source: Meduza
Photo: Kremlin press service

On December 3, Vladimir Putin delivered his annual address to the Federation Assembly. During his speech, which lasted exactly one hour, television cameras repeatedly turned to Putin's audience of lawmakers and senior officials, whose sleepy faces served as a powerful reminder of how hard it is to sit through a lecture. A very boring lecture. After a night of no sleep.

Boris Gryzlov, a Security Council member and the former Duma Speaker who helped transform the lower house into a rubber stamp parliament, reminds us that you can't squint your way to more interesting oratory. 

Motorcycle gang leader Alexander Zaldostanov, also known as "The Surgeon" (yes, he was invited to the speech), demonstrates the art of pretending to understand today's lesson.

Duma deputies Sergei Zheleznyak and Vladimir Zhirinovsky practice the absent-minded nod—the perfect camouflage for daydreaming about this weekend's trip to the cabin.

Zhirinovsky isn't worried, knowing perfectly well that some nerd in the front row is taking notes he can copy later.

That's when it's time to take a break and play with your phone. Just ask Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov.

Rosneft Chairman Igor Sechin knows what we're talking about. (Or maybe he was just sleepy.)

Russia's national champion of napping at public events, the erstwhile president and current prime minister, fought a valiant battle against the Zs this morning.

Others weren't so victorious. 

Several others.

Luckily, there were moments to make some noise and fight off the quiet lull.

And thank God.

"You're welcome."