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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Will Stewart

Vladimir Putin drives tank across frozen river dressed in sheepskin in bizarre photos

Brazen Russian president Vladimir Putin has been spotted dressed in sheepskin driving a tank across a shaky suspension footbridge over a frozen river in Siberia.

He was seen driving the all-terrain vehicle before joining his defence minister Sergey Shoigu - a native of the mountainous Tuva region - for a picnic in the wild taiga.

The pair were bizarrely pictured with empty vodka glasses on the table, with animal skins to warm the seats.

They appeared to have enjoyed a feast of sausages and vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions.

Dressed in a similar outfit to Putin, he also showed the president the local wildlife in Siberia during the president's first visit since the start of the Covid pandemic.

Vladimir Putin visited Siberia with Russian Minister of Defence Sergey Shoigu (kremlin.ru)

The images of Putin out and about in sub-zero temperatures seemed aimed at portraying him as an 'action man' in contrast to Joe Biden ’s slip on his aircraft’s steps.

The staged images came as Vladimir Putin childishly responded "it takes one to know one" after Joe Biden described him as a "killer" earlier in the week.

It was Putin’s first trip to Russia’s wild east since the pandemic (kremlin.ru)

The Russian president challenged his US counterpart to a televised discussion to be broadcast live.

Putin scathingly responded to Biden's remarks with the comment that it takes one to know one.

It comes after an ABC News in which Biden said "I do" when asked if he believed Putin was a killer.

The pictures appear to be trying to portray Putin as a 'strong man' (kremlin.ru)

It prompted Russia to recall its Washington ambassador for consultations.

Putin said that every state had to contend with "bloody events" and added Biden was accusing the Russian leader of something he was guilty of himself.

Russia is preparing to be hit by a new round of U.S. sanctions in the coming days over that alleged meddling as well as over an alleged hack.

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