(Photo : WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images)
Vladimir Putin canceled his yearly press conference in Moscow, raising concerns that he is either critically ill or unable to answer questions on Russia's conflict in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is among the most powerful leaders in the world today. He launched the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the US, UN, and even NATO failed to stop him from ordering the attack.
How did he become a strongman? Here are some Putin facts that are rarely mentioned which can help decipher his character as a leader:
From Rags to Power
Born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia, Putin has risen from poverty to become the leader of a Superpower. He took up law at Leningrad State University, then joined the KGB, and ultimately, politics.
Putin grew up in a low-income family. During World War II, his father got disabled due to a grenade explosion, while his mom almost died due to starvation when she got trapped in the Siege of Leningrad. His two infant brothers died during the siege before Putin was born in October 1952.
When the war ended, his father worked in a factory, while his mom became a street sweeper and test-tube washer to make ends meet. Their family dwelled in a communal apartment with no hot water and was infested with rats.
Putin is also a Judo champ. At age 11, he won several tournaments, according to News 9. In 2012, he was awarded the rank of eighth dan black belt by the International Judo Federation, making history as the first Russian to achieve the status. He also helped spread the martial art through the Judo books he has co-written: Judo with Vladimir Putin in Russian, and Judo: History, Theory, Practice in English.
Putin joined the KGB as an administrator after finishing his legal degree. Under the alias 'Platov,' he studied at the KGB's foreign intelligence institute in Moscow.
He was transferred to Dresden, East Germany, in 1985. He worked his way up through the ranks of the KGB, subsequently rising to the level of lieutenant colonel. Putin, however, resigned from the KGB after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Putin learned the Russian martial art, Sambo, as part of his spy training.
Vladimir Putin served as a foreign intelligence officer in the Soviet Union's security and intelligence agency for 15 years. In 1990, he retired from active service with the rank of lieutenant colonel, according to Britannica.
Putin's Possessions
In 1983, Putin married Lyudmila Shkrebneva. They have two daughters: Maria and Katerina, who are rarely mentioned by Putin and have never been seen by Russians. The couple divorced in 2013 on mutual grounds, claiming that they didn't see one other enough.
Putin is said to have several pet dogs and enjoys being pictured with them. Putin's many photos with animals come in three types: caring pet owner with his many dogs, an impressive animal handler with horses, bears, and tigers, and rescuer of endangered species like Siberian cranes and the Siberian bear, according to a report by History Hit.
He also advocates for legislation that improves animal welfare, such as a rule prohibiting petting zoos in malls and restaurants, prohibiting the slaughter of stray animals, and mandating adequate care for pets.
How Rich is Putin?
Putin's annual salary as President is 5.8 million rubles. Putin's net worth is officially listed as $1,800,000 in a savings account, along with some Russian-made cars and a 16,000 square foot block of land in Moscow's suburbs.
He owns a collection of watches worth Rs 5 crore and possesses 43 planes, 7,000 automobiles, and 15 helicopters, including a fancy private airplane with a Rs 50 million gold toilet.
Putin owns 95 billion pounds in gold reserves (9,641 billion rupees). This gold is housed in secret locations under strict protection.
Related Article: Zelensky Stays Optimistic on Peace Talks As Russian Forces Try To Destroy Ukraine Defenses
