From what I recall of the earlier Russian Venus missions, they reported that Venus is a "run away green house" with a boiling hot atmosphere of dense sulfuric acid clouds that encircle the planet.
Their lander continued to transmit data for a few minutes during descent before the corrosive atmosphere disabled it. Don't recall any pictures from the lander. Maybe something in orbit?
From the articles description of the appearing and disappearing of these images, can't help but wonder if it isn't something like the bunny I saw in the clouds the other day?