Putin unrecognisable in shell suit with full head of hair in uncovered 1990s video
Previously unseen home video footage shows a younger, untidy and awkward-looking Vladimir Putin socialising and playing table tennis during a visit to Finland around three decades ago. The rare clip, obtained by Finnish outlet Yle, shows the future Russian president dressed in a shellsuit playing darts and eating with other guests at a hospitality venue near Helsinki. According to sources spoken to by Yle, the Finnish broadcasting company, the video was shot around a May Day holiday in the early 90s. At the time Putin, then around age 40 and becoming a major player in the St Petersburg political scene, was working as a KGB officer and had become an adviser to Anatoly Sobchak, then mayor of the Black Sea city. Mr Sobchak is also seen in the clip along with his bodyguards and the party later goes fishing together. On their return, a man can be heard shouting from the boat: “I cannot hear you - we have so much fish. We have so much fish that I cannot hear you.” Putin is seen facing away from the camera with the hood of his coat up. The other men in the boat are facing in the direction of the filmer. Throughout the video, Putin appears to be aware that he is being filmed but on occasion tries to turn his face away from the camera. After the boat returns to shore, a woman is seen scaling the catch on a jetty next to the lake where the men had been fishing. An eyewitness told Yle the woman was Putin’s then-wife Lyudmila. The outlet said it was unable to corroborate the account but confirmed that the Putin’s and their children - Maria and Katerina - were present. Yle said the video was a far cry from the “macho, dictatorial image that Putin has since hewn for himself”. ”This is pre-rich Putin, Putin in a bad shell suit, with a bad haircut, bad vest, doing everyday dad stuff,” said Luke Harding, Russia expert and former Moscow correspondent for the British newspaper The Guardian. ”The most striking thing is he is smiling. He looks human, rather than the ghoul he has become,” says Mr Harding when shown excerpts of the video by Yle. Read More Putin gives defence chief one month deadline to stop Ukrainian counteroffensive in its tracks Russia unleashes hypersonic missiles on Odesa port in overnight attack Russian oil supplies continue to spike despite G7 price cap sanctions, data shows Putin wants Ukrainian counteroffensive halted before early October, report says South Korea's Yoon calls for a strong military amid deepening North Korean-Russian ties Ukraine launches new missile attack near Putin’s military airfield in Sevastopol
2023-09-26 15:20
India becomes first nation to land spacecraft near Moon's south pole
India on Wednesday became the first nation to land a craft near the Moon's south pole, a historic triumph for the world's most populous nation...
2023-08-23 23:16
US condemns China's reported life sentence of acclaimed Uyghur scholar
The United States has condemned China's reported sentencing of prominent Uyghur academic Rahile Dawut to life in prison, calling for the immediate release of the scholar known for documenting folklore and traditions of the Muslim minority in China's northwestern Xinjiang region.
2023-10-02 16:18
BRICS ministers put on show of strength as Putin arrest warrant looms large
By Wendell Roelf CAPE TOWN BRICS foreign ministers on Thursday asserted their bloc's ambition to rival Western powers
2023-06-02 00:24
Putin touts solidarity with China in Xi's pitch for new world order as crisis grips Middle East
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday touted his country's deep alignment with China as he appeared on stage as guest of honor at a global gathering in Beijing, where Chinese leader Xi Jinping pitched his vision for a reshaped world order.
2023-10-18 12:59
What is invetigative genetic genealogy? Judge rules in favor of Bryan Kohberger to review if DNA evidence linked him to Idaho murders
The defense is now looking for specific information regarding how law enforcement used IGG to identify Kohberger as a suspect
2023-10-31 20:19
'Mission: Impossible' star Emmanuelle Béart reveals she was victim of incest
French film actress Emmanuelle Béart has revealed that she was a victim of incest, continuing a national reckoning with child sexual abuse in France.
2023-09-06 20:57
Drones downed in Moscow and surrounding region with no casualties, Russian officials say
Russia's defense ministry and Moscow's mayor said Ukrainian drones were downed in Moscow and the region around the capital early Wednesday
2023-08-23 10:56
Chelsea, Liverpool stalemate shows need for Caicedo, Spurs held by Brentford
Chelsea and Liverpool had to settle for a 1-1 draw to start their Premier League season on Sunday as Tottenham also drew 2-2 at Brentford as...
2023-08-14 01:58
US small business optimism deteriorates in April, NFIB says
WASHINGTON U.S. small business confidence fell in April on worries about the near-term economic outlook and persistent worker
2023-05-09 18:18
Jimmy Buffett: Margaritaville singer dies aged 76
The Margaritaville musician is also remembered as a successful author and entrepreneur.
2023-09-04 02:15
Church parking near stadiums scores big in a win-win for faith congregations and sports fans
The Eagles and the NFL might still be the overwhelming sports favorites at Calvary Baptist church just outside Philadelphia
2023-10-20 23:52
You Might Like...
Niger junta rebuffs diplomatic overtures backed by US, UN
US, EU assail Russia in rare meeting in Southeast Asia
Monu Manesar: The wanted Indian cow vigilante who's at large online
Biden will mark the anniversary of a gun safety law signed after the Uvalde, Texas, school massacre
Gun factory in upstate New York with roots in 19th century set to close
US Marine rapid response force moving toward Israel as Pentagon strengthens military posture in region
UAW strike decision day comes as bargaining heats up
Midwives check on pregnant migrants traveling through Mexico
