The Kremlin released new photos on Monday of Russian president Vladimir Putin taking a break from his official duties to go hiking in Siberia with his top security chiefs, Reuters reports.
In the past, the 65-year-old leader often posed shirtless in his official vacation photos, but he's fully clothed in this year's images and looks somewhat somber at times.
During an interview with an Australian journalist in June, Putin defended past pictures of him on vacation in which he was bare-chested.
"When I am on vacation I see no need to hide behind the bushes, and there is nothing wrong with that," Putin said.
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President Vladimir Putin is seen during his vacation in Sayano-Shushensky nature reserve in the Republic of Tyva [Tuva Region], Russia August 26, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS
MOSCOW: The Kremlin released several official photographs on Monday showing Russian President Vladimir Putin taking a hiking holiday in Siberia with his defense minister and the head of the Federal Security Service, the FSB.
The photographs show the 65-year-old Putin in a khaki outfit and hat, carrying binoculars and trekking poles, hiking in forested mountains and enjoying a boat ride on the Yenisei river in the Tuva region of southern Siberia.
Previous outdoor snapshots of Putin on holiday, including images of him fishing and sunbathing shirtless, appear intended to demonstrate his robust physical health and vigor as he wrestles with the affairs of state.
In one image shown of his Siberian trip, Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu are studying a coniferous sapling, ready for planting. In another, Putin and FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov stand in a forest clearing against a backdrop of forested mountains.
Putin cultivates strongman persona with holiday adventures
Other pictures show Putin at the summit of a mountain, taking a boat ride, and talking to the head of the Sayano-Shushenski Nature Reserve.
Putin took the break on his way to the Siberian city of Kemerovo, a coal mining hub, where he attended a meeting with government officials and top managers of energy companies on Monday.
“The president, on his way to Kemerovo, decided to fly out earlier and spend Saturday and Sunday in Tuva, on the Yenisei River. He walked in the mountains, admired the beautiful views,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
The Kremlin released several official photographs on Monday showing Russian President Vladimir Putin taking a hiking holiday in Siberia with his defense minister and the head of the Federal Security Service, the FSB.
The photographs show the 65-year-old Putin in a khaki outfit and hat, carrying binoculars and trekking poles, hiking in forested mountains and enjoying a boat ride on the Yenisei river in the Tuva region of southern Siberia.
The Kremlin has released several photos of Russian President Vladimir Putin taking a hiking holiday in Siberia with his Defence Minister and the head of the Federal Security Service [FSB].
The pictures show the 65-year-old Putin in a khaki outfit and hat, carrying binoculars and trekking poles, hiking in forested mountains and taking a boat ride on the Yenisei River in the Tuva region of southern Siberia.
The Russian President finds himself a mushroom.[Sputnik/Alexei Nikolsky, Kremlin via AP]
"The President, on his way to Kemerovo, decided to fly out earlier and spend Saturday and Sunday in Tuva, on the Yenisei River," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
"He walked in the mountains, admired the beautiful views."
Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu study a coniferous sapling, ready for planting.[Sputnik/Alexei Nikolsky, Kremlin via AP]
Previous outdoor snapshots of Mr Putin on holiday, including images of him fishing and sunbathing shirtless, appear intended to demonstrate his robust physical health and vigour as he wrestles with the affairs of state.
One summer Mr Putin took a dive in the Black Sea only to allegedly discover an ancient amphora.
Another time he galloped on a horse bare-chested across a mountain creek.
Vladimir Putin enjoys the Yenisei River during his Siberian trip.[Sputnik/Alexei Nikolsky, Kremlin via AP]
In one image shown of his Siberian trip, Mr Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu are studying a coniferous sapling, ready for planting.
In another, Mr Putin and FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov stand in a forest clearing against a backdrop of forested mountains.
Vladimir Putin took the break on his way to the Siberian city of Kemerovo.[Sputnik/Alexei Nikolsky, Kremlin via AP]
Other photos show Mr Putin at the summit of a mountain, and talking to the head of the Sayano-Shushenski Nature Reserve.
Mr Putin took the break on his way to the Siberian city of Kemerovo, a coal mining hub, where he attended a meeting with Government officials and top managers of energy companies on Monday.
What did Putin bring to Russia?
During Putin's initial presidential tenure, the Russian economy grew on average by seven percent per year, driven by economic reforms and a fivefold increase in the price of oil and gas. Additionally, Putin led Russia in a conflict against Chechen separatists, reestablishing federal control over the region.