10 Interesting Facts about Vladimir Putin

One of these following facts about Vladimir Putin might have been really interesting for you to read. As you know, Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician who has been the President of Russia since May 2012. He previously served as President from 2000 to 2007, and as Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012. During that last term, he was also the Chairman of the United Russia. For 16 years Putin served as an officer in the KGB, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before he retired to enter politics in his native Saint Petersburg in 1991. To get to know more about him, here are some facts about Vladimir Putin you might like.

Facts about Vladimir Putin 1: Political Start

Vladimir Putin got his political start in modern day St. Petersburg, his hometown, where he started out as the advisor on international affairs to the mayor. In St. Petersburg he rose through the ranks and in influence, though remaining in background. He later moved to Moscow, continuing in politics until he eventually rose to become the director of the Federal Security Service. From there he eventually became prime minister and then acting president.

Facts about Vladimir Putin 2: Fighting Wildfires

Vladimir Putin helped out fighting wildfires. In 2010, according to The Moscow Times, Putin took the co-pilot’s seat on a firefighting plane, held the throttle and pushed the button that would dump 24 tons of water on the forest fire. Putin doesn’t have any known pilot training but has sat in the co-pilot’s’ seat before at an air show.

Facts about Vladimir Putin 3: Music

Sang “Blueberry Hill” with a jazz orchestra at a charity function in 2010. He also played a Russian song “Where the Motherland Begins” on the piano. According to The Moscow News, he received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Facts about Vladimir Putin 4: Wildlife Exploitation

In 2008, Vladimir Putin was credited with saving a television crew from a tiger attack at a national park when observing how researches monitor the animals in the wild, by shooting the approaching beast with a tranquilizer gun. He then helped measure the tiger’s incisors and placed a transmitter around its neck. Putin later admitted, however, that this act, as well as a few other of his wildlife exploits, were staged to help highlight some endangered species.

Facts about Vladimir Putin 5: KGB

Vladimir Putin was recruited by and joined the KGB in 1975 after graduating from Leningrad State University (now known as St. Petersburg State University), and remained in the spy organization until 1991 when he began his political career.

Facts about Vladimir Putin 6: Family

His mother was a factory worker and his father was drafted into the navy, where he served on a submarine fleet. His paternal grandfather was a cook, and at one point worked at one of Joseph Stalin’s dachas.

Facts about Vladimir Putin 7: Ruler of Rusiia

Putin is hoping to extend the presidential terms so they last 6 years, which would mean two terms would be 12 years. That would mean he effectively spends 24 years in power. According to The New York Times, Putin also claimed today that he had not made a decision if he would run in 2018.

Facts about Vladimir Putin 8: Domestic Policies

Putin’s domestic policies, especially early in his first presidency, were aimed at creating a vertical power structure. On 13 May 2000, he issued a decree putting the 89 federal subjects of Russia into seven administrative federal districts and appointed a presidential envoy responsible for each of those districts.

Facts about Vladimir Putin 9: Religion Policy

Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Judaism, defined by law as Russia’s traditional religions and a part of Russia’s “historical heritage” enjoyed limited state support in the Putin era. The vast construction and restoration of churches, started in 1990s, continued under Putin, and the state allowed the teaching of religion in schools.

Facts about Vladimir Putin 10: Languages He Speaks

Apart from Russian, Putin speaks fluent German. His family used to speak German at home as well. After becoming President he was reported to be taking English lessons and could be seen conversing directly with Bush and native speakers of English in informal situations, but he continues to use interpreters for formal talks. Putin spoke English in public for the first time during the state dinner in Buckingham Palace in 2003.

Hope you would find those Vladimir Putin facts really interesting and useful for you additional reading.