'Ice man' Vladimir Putin plays hockey in Red Square
Playing up to his "man of action" persona, the Russian leader takes part in an exhibition game with one of his ministers.
Sunday 30 December 2018 12:54, UK
Vladimir Putin has been showcasing his ice hockey skills by taking part in a game in Moscow's Red Square.
The Russian president got kitted out in pads and helmet alongside defence minister Sergey Shoigu and veteran players Vyacheslav Fetisov and Pavel Bur.
Saturday night's exhibition match was part of an amateur league that the president helped set up in 2011 and was played on an ice rink near the walls of the Kremlin.
TV pictures showed the president - wearing number 11 - scoring at least one goal.
"It's a good kind of entertainment. I think this is a well-justified reason (to play hockey) ahead of the new year," said Mr Putin.
The president has been filmed playing ice hockey before - with the fast, aggressive game providing a good opportunity to play up to his macho image.
Mr Putin's tough guy persona has also seen him spearfishing, horse riding bare-chested, piloting a handglider, practising judo, plunging into a sub-zero lake and shooting a tiger with a tranquilliser dart.
The events are believed to be carefully stage-managed to appeal to the president's huge number of supporters in Russia.
His exploits also make it into various calendars dedicated to Mr Putin - with the president's "cuddly" side revealed in one month as he cradles a puppy.
The calendars are reported to be selling especially well in Japan, where website SoraNews24 said Mr Putin had achieved "an almost cult-like status among some Japanese women".