Putin the action man – in pictures

Snow trouble: Putin skis in the mountain resort of Krasnaya Polyana near Sochi, which will host the Winter Olympics in February Photograph: Alexei Nikolsky/AFP/Getty Images

Trebles all round: Putin and Medvedev enjoy a drink in Siberia Photograph: Ria Novosti/Reuters

Catch of the day: On his annual outdoor adventure holiday in Siberia, Putin shows off his catch to a passing photographer Photograph: Nikolsky Alexei/Corbis

Into the deep: Putin dives down to the sea floor in a red submersible to explore a sunken ship in the Gulf of Finland Photograph: Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Putin pilots a hang-glider to lead endangered cranes on their migration route
Photograph: RIA Novosti/EPA

Taking aim: Putin participates in a gala match between the Amateur Hockey League and Legends of Russia teams in Moscow Photograph: Alexey Nikolsky/Ria Novosti / Government Press Service Pool/EPA

Cool as ice: the Russian PM and presidential candidate gets off a bob after riding as a second pilot during a visit to the sports centre in Paramonovo, outside Moscow Photograph: Alexei Nikolsky/AP

Can anyone see a parking space? In the cockpit of a firefighting plane Photograph: Alexei Nikolsky/AP

The name's Putin: Vlad Putin. The then president on a military firing range in 2006 Photograph: Itar-tass/Reuters

Quick! Last one to the top's a communist: hiking in the mountains on holiday Photograph: Alexei Druzhinin/EPA

Hello, boys: on holiday in Siberia Photograph: Dmitry Astakhov/AP

Catch me if you can: fishing in Siberia Photograph: Dmitry Astakhov - Pool/EPA

Front crawl's for wimps: swimming in Siberia Photograph: Ria Novosti/Reuters

Steady as she goes: collecting a sample of whale skin Photograph: Alexey Druzhinin/AFP/Getty Images

Easy rider: on a Harley Photograph: Sergei Karpukhin/Reuters

Patience, grasshopper: doing judo in St Petersburg Photograph: AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Fast and furious: preparing to drive a Formula One car in St Petersburg Photograph: AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Over the top: arm wrestling at a youth camp Photograph: Mikhail Metzel/AFP/Getty Images

The only way is up: on a climbing wall Photograph: Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images

Cabin crew, prepare for take off: Putin sits in the cockpit of a bomber jet before taking a supersonic flight in August 2005 Photograph: Vladimir Rodionov/AFP/Getty Images

Treasure hunter: Putin emerges from the Black Sea with two ancient Greek urns, which he purportedly found on the sea floor Photograph: RIA Novosti/Reuters

Eat your heart out Shostakovich: on the piano in Moscow Photograph: RIA Novosti/Reuters

Look who's behind you! Putin and Dmitry Medvedev drive snowmobiles
Photograph: Ria Novosti