Vladimir Putin Poses Without Shirt

Posted on August 5, 2009

Russian Prime Minister and former president Vladimir Putin put on quite the macho show of athleticism for the cameras this week. The government press corps was invited to photograph Putin -- sans shirt -- riding a horse, swimming the breast stroke and fishing.

The Times carried this breaking world leader beefcake news. The Times says, "The photos will inevitably trigger mass swooning by women all over Russia - as well as unfavourable comparisons of their husbands to Mr Putin's manly physique. They will also confirm the Russian Prime Minister's status as a gay icon."

Wait... what? Vladimir Putin is a gay icon? Since when? With all the posing for shirtless photos, tipping off the photographers as to when he will be shirtless and photo-ready, obsessing about his appearance...he makes Heidi and Spencer look positively shy and retiring. The Telegraph has put together a video montage of Vladimir's Siberian vacation, including additional shots of him climbing a tree, staring into the distance, eating with a bewildered-looking local resident, and kindly giving a child a watch. The musical background is hilarious. Take a look:

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