Vladimir Putin took time off from rigging elections and being a dictator to enjoy some quality time with his defence minister and the head of the Federal Security Service.

As usual, the Kremlin released some pics of the Russian president, in their ongoing efforts to prove that he’s a real human/ Marlboro man with hobbies and friends. Only this time it was different.

Putin kept his shirt on.

And no, it wasn’t the weather. Putin has stripped down for a freezing water Christian Orthodox ritual, he stripped down in Siberia, and he has been spotted shirtless at his secret holiday camp by a guy with a drone.

Here’s Sky News:

The 65-year-old leader put on his outerwear and grabbed his binoculars and trekking poles as he hiked in forested mountains and enjoyed a boat ride on the Yenisei river in the Tuva region of southern Siberia.

Outerwear aside, the pics are still amusing. Here are some highlights from his trip.

Vlad surveying the landscape from a rock:

Vlad surveying the landscape from what appears to be a space pod:

Vlad taking his mushroom for a walk:

Vlad practising his ‘blue steel’ with cane prop:

Vlad on a boring boat:

The cane again – this time with eyewear:

And finally, inspecting a coniferous sapling, with Defence Minister and part-time mountain troll, Sergei Shoigu.

I give his inspection skills a solid B-minus, and he could still learn a thing or two from his friend in North Korea.

Why the shirt remained on will forever be a mystery. Still, we hate to disappoint you, so please enjoy this pic of shirtless Vlad riding a shark:

[source:skynews]