Russia's Putin takes a dive to boost his image
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Russian President Vladimir Putin took to a red submersible on Monday to dive 50 metres and examine the wreck of a 19th century frigate, his latest stunt in 13 years of power to assert his carefully crafted action man image.
Putin, a 60-year-old former KGB spy, is eager to boost his populist appeal to make up for the support lost among Russians following the largest wave of street protests against his rule in 2011-12. In the past, he has submerged in Russia's Lake Baikal, extinguished forest fires and hopped on massive racing trucks. (Reuters)
