A half-naked Vladimir Putin has carried out another of his macho photo ops - this time plunging into an icy lake as park of a ritual to mark Orthodox Epiphany. The 65-year-old Russian President stripped to the waist and bared his chest before crossing himself and lowering himself into a hole in the ice over Lake Seliger.Mr Putin, wearing just trunks, became completely immersed in the water, having removed a sheepskin coat and felt boots for the freezing swim.Temperatures hovered around -5C (23F).The practice is part of the Christian Orthodox feast of Epiphany, when believers submerge themselves in water to mark the baptism of Jesus Christ.Mr Putin requires little excuse to strip, however. In 2009 he was famously pictured shirtless atop a horse during a mountain holiday, and last August the scantily-clad President paraded both his torso and fish he had caught in a Siberian lake. The President, who frequently attends Russian Orthodox ceremonies, is preparing to run in the country's … [Read more...] about Bare-chested Vladimir Putin plunges into icy lake in latest macho photo op
Vladimir putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin strips off and plunges into ice hole to celebrate Orthodox Epiphany
Russian President Vladimir Putin stripped down to his bathing trunks and immersed himself in a frozen lake to celebrate Epiphany, a major holiday in Orthodox Christianity marking the baptism of Jesus. The 65-year-old leader walked onto the ice covering Lake Seliger, about 400 km (250 miles) north of Moscow, dressed in a sheepskin coat and felt boots. After removing his coat and boots he walked down a set of wooden steps into a hole in the ice and dunked himself into the icy waters, crossing himself as he did so. Air temperatures at the time were around six degrees Celsius below zero (21 degrees Fahrenheit). Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said the president had dipped in icy waters on the Epiphany before, but this was the first time he's done so in public. In Orthodox tradition, water blessed by a priest during Epiphany week is considered holy and pure, and believers attribute healing powers to it. Authorities set up bathing sites for believers all over Russia, including some areas … [Read more...] about Russian President Vladimir Putin strips off and plunges into ice hole to celebrate Orthodox Epiphany
Russian elections: Vladimir Putin attempting to become ’emperor for life’
Russia's main opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, has hit out at Vladimir Putin, accusing him of trying become "emperor for life." In March, Russia will be hosting presidential elections, with all pointers suggesting that Putin will be elected for a fourth term. But Navalny, who has been a long-time open critic of Putin, said that the polls were not real election. He said: "This is not an election and my role will consist of explaining to people that this procedure, which they call an election, in fact is only held to re-appoint Putin. "We will prove this and convince people that it's impossible to recognise either these polls or this regime." In December, the Central Election Committee ruled that an embezzlement charge meant that he was unable to run against Putin. He has always denied the charge, accusing officials of fabrication. He has urged Russians to boycott the polls and protest instead. "Putin wants to be emperor for life. His entourage, people who became billionaires and the … [Read more...] about Russian elections: Vladimir Putin attempting to become ’emperor for life’
Vladimir Putin more popular than Donald Trump and Theresa May, reveals new international poll
Russian President Vladimir Putin is viewed more favourably around the world than US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Theresa May, according to a new poll. Trump's predecessor Barack Obama also fared better in a previous poll from 2015. Published yesterday (11 January), the poll from Gallup International Association and CVoter International found that just 31% of those asked around the world had a favourable view of President Trump. For Theresa May, the figure stood at 38%, meaning she just beats China's president Xi Jinping at 37%. Putin was viewed favourably by 43% of correspondents, which marked a rise off 10% over the the 2015 poll. He tends to poll better in regions outside the US and Europe. Obama's favorability in the 2015 was 59%. A total of 53,769 men and women were interviewed around the world, with representative samples of around 1,000 from each country. The margin of error is reported at 3-5%. Of those asked in the most recent survey, 58% shared an unfavourable … [Read more...] about Vladimir Putin more popular than Donald Trump and Theresa May, reveals new international poll
Vladimir Putin: North Korea’s Kim Jong-un is a mature and competent politician
Russian President Vladimir Putin said North Korea's Kim Jong-un is a "mature and competent politician" who is now steering the nation in acquiring a long-range missile capable of reaching any region in the world. In comments seemingly to heap praise on the rogue leader, who inherited the hermit kingdom from his father and grandfather, Putin added that he believes Kim has "won this round" with the US President Donald Trump referring to the ongoing tensions. While speaking to a group of journalists, the Russian president said Kim "has solved his strategic task - he has a nuclear device, and a global-range missile with a range of up to 13,000 kilometers, which can now reach practically any point of the globe, at any rate any point on the territory of a potential enemy". Putin went on to add: "He is an absolutely competent and already mature politician." Russia and North Korea share part of their border and maintain somewhat cordial relations. However, the North's traditional allies, both … [Read more...] about Vladimir Putin: North Korea’s Kim Jong-un is a mature and competent politician