Putin the Man

Image attribution: Mid Journey

Vladimir Putin is one of the most powerful and controversial leaders in the world. He has been ruling Russia for more than two decades, and has recently launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, plunging Europe into its biggest land war since 1945.

But who is Putin the man?

• He was born into a poor Soviet family and lived in a communal apartment with his parents and two other families. He lost his older brother to diphtheria during the Siege of Leningrad in World War II.
• He developed an interest in sports at a young age, especially judo and sambo, a martial art that he still practices today. He earned a black belt in judo at the age of 18. He also likes to hunt, fish and ride horses.
• He married Lyudmila Shkrebneva, a former flight attendant, in 1983. They have two daughters, Maria and Katerina, who are very private and rarely appear in public. Putin and his wife announced their divorce in 2013.
• He is a devout Orthodox Christian and wears a cross pendant that his mother gave him before he was sent to Germany as a KGB officer. He also respects other religions and has visited Israel, Saudi Arabia and India.
• He is fond of animals and has several pets, including dogs, cats, horses and tigers. He also supports wildlife conservation efforts and has participated in projects to save endangered species…