Russian President Vladimir Putin has worked relentlessly to maintain a macho image, a strategy that involves the government and the media posting pictures and videos of him stalking tigers and diving in a miniature submarine.
The latest of these is a video of Putin displaying his sharpshooting skills with a new Kalashnikov sniper rifle. Russian state media claimed that Putin fired five bullets from the SVCh-308 rifle by the Russian weapon-maker, more than half of which hit the static target.
Putin was visiting a military-themed park called Patriot in the Moscow region where he laid the foundation stone for a Russian Orthodox Church. Firing a Kalashnikov was an interesting way to mark the occasion.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!