onthespot Russia Putin that you didn't know

10 Things you did not know about Russia Putin, Vladimir 

Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has been the President of Russia since 7 May 2012. Putin previously served as President from 2000 to 2008, and as Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012. During his last term as Prime Minister, he was also the Chairman of United Russia, the ruling party. Many of Putin's actions are regarded by the domestic opposition and foreign observers as undemocratic. The 2011 Democracy Index stated that Russia was in "a long process of regression [that] culminated in a move from a hybrid to an authoritarian regime" in view of Putin's candidacy and flawed parliamentary elections. In 2014, Russia was temporarily suspended from the G8 group as a result of its annexation of Crimea. Did you know things abaout putin that you did not know? Here is the 10 things you did not know about putin.
10. Bill Browder, once russia’s biggest foreign investor claims putin has stolen $200BN of the country’s assets. If true, he would be the world’s richest person. Worth more than coca-cola and 2.5x richer than Bill Gates. Source : CNN, news.au
9. Putin grew up in a communal apartment, his family living in a room just 12 feet by 15 feet (3.6m x 4.6m). Infested with rats, he would chase them with sticks to pass the time. Source : NY times, Vladimir putin by cj shields.
8. After learning that germany’s Angela Merkel is afraid of dogs, Putin gave her a toy pooch. During energy negotiations he brought along his Labrador to intimidate her. Source : psychology today, the guardian, foreign policy.
7. Joining the KGB in 1975, Putin is said either to have stolen tech secrets or recruited westerners. Secret service documents claim he was a drunk, a philanderer and a wife-beater. Source : the atlantic, daily telegraph, daily mail.
6. There is a pro-putin all-female political group calles putin’s army. At elections they strip off and perform sexy car washes to win support for putin. Source : Russia today, daily mail, new Yorker.
5. putin came to power after promising to catch bombers who killed 224 people. Spy Alex Litvinenko claimed the attacks were orchestrated by Russian agents to bring putin to power – he was later assassinated. Source : business insider, the guardian, bbc.
4. In 2013 putin made it illegal to provide children with info about homosexuality. Displaying a rainbow flag can lead to arrest and in some areas homophobic attacks have increased tenfold. Source : bbc, NY daily news.
3. under putin russia’s GDP has grown 700% and wages have tripled. If this had happened in the usa the average wage would now be over $100,000. Source : world bank, nbc news, OECD, foreign affairs.
2. putin wants the power to take Russia offline in emergencies –including times of protest. During such times only a government –run network of sites would be accessible. Source : ny times, CNBC, the guardian.
1. Putin has cultivated an action man image, his exploits include… *bare-chested horse riding, *co-piloting a jet fighter, *shooting a whale with a crossbow, *finding two ancient greek urns while scuba diving. He also has a 9th –level black belt in taekwondo –one better than Chuck Norris. Source : the guardian, the atlantic, BBC, daily telegraph.