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Putin Trip Is Tough-Guy Photo Op

Official pics show Russian PM swimming, riding bareback in Siberia

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 4, 2009 4:42 PM CDT

(Newser) – Vladimir Putin spent his vacation in southern Siberia swimming, climbing trees, and riding a horse bareback—all while shirtless. Though state news agencies portrayed the Russian prime minister’s trip as a vacation, the series of tough-guy photographs that emerged make it hard not to think he had a motive beyond recreation, notes the Telegraph: shoring up his image as a ripped, fearless man-of-action.
Vladimir Putin goes for a swim.
Vladimir Putin goes for a swim.   (AP Photo/ RIA Novosti, Alexei Drizhinin, Pool)
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin feeds a horse in the mountains of the Siberian Tyva region (also referred to as Tuva), Russia, during his short vacation.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin feeds a horse in the mountains of the Siberian Tyva region (also referred to as Tuva), Russia, during his short vacation.   (AP Photo/ RIA Novosti, Alexei Drizhinin, Pool)
In this photo taken on Monday, Aug. 3, 2009, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin rides a horse in the mountains of the Siberian Tyva region (also referred to as Tuva), Russia, during his short vacation.
In this photo taken on Monday, Aug. 3, 2009, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin rides a horse in the mountains of the Siberian Tyva region (also referred to as Tuva), Russia, during his short vacation.   (AP Photo/ RIA Novosti, Alexei Drizhinin, Pool)
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin adjusts his hat as he sits in a tree while traveling in the the Siberian Tyva region (also referred to as Tuva), Russia, during his short vacation.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin adjusts his hat as he sits in a tree while traveling in the the Siberian Tyva region (also referred to as Tuva), Russia, during his short vacation.   (AP Photo/ RIA Novosti, Alexei Drizhinin, Pool)
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin walks in the mountains of the Siberian Tyva region (also referred to as Tuva), Russia, during his short vacation.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin walks in the mountains of the Siberian Tyva region (also referred to as Tuva), Russia, during his short vacation.   (AP Photo/ RIA Novosti, Alexei Drizhinin, Pool)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 13 comments
sache
Aug 7, 2009 5:58 AM CDT
Strange.
Robert_Dada
Aug 5, 2009 12:16 PM CDT
He looks like an American militiaman dunderhead.
The_Pinkston
Aug 5, 2009 11:53 AM CDT
I dig the fake Oakleys

 
Russia • Vladimir Putin • Siberia • Kremlin • vacation • prime minister

 
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