Thursday, Mar 28 2024
All Cities
Choose Your City
'The Yenisey began life with a groan and ended with a boldness we could never dream of'
0

Putin stalks pike in taiga lake, and promises to 'think about' running for election in 2018

By 0 and 0 and 0
05 August 2017

0

Vladimir Putin fishing in Tuva Republic. Picture: RT

Vladimir Putin was 'chasing' a giant pike for two hours before finally managing to catch it and bring it ashore in a lake in Tuva Republic, said his spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

'The president had a nice spear fishing trip. He was chasing a pike for two hours, could not shoot it, but at the end he made it,' he said. 

The fishing 'on a cascade of mountain lakes' was 'more exciting' than a  2013 trip in the same region, he said. 

Putin donned a wet suit and a mask for the adventure, but was also seen bare-chested as he sun bathed and line fished in the boreal forests of southern Siberia. 

He also took the opportunity to 'sunbathe, hike, and go quadricycling in the mountains', he said.

Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin, Tuva Republic

Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin, Tuva Republic
Vladimir Putin on his 2017 trip to Siberia. Pictures: RT, VESTI


Vladimir Putin He was accompanied by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who hails from Tuva, along with regional head Sholban Kara-ool and the leader of neighbouring republic  Khakassia, Viktor Zimin.

Peskov said: 'This is not the first time Putin has visited this part of the country for rest and recreation, but he always has his eye on new places to visit, just like this time'.

'The climate there is harsh, strongly continental. In sunny weather, the air warms up quickly and becomes hot enough to take sun baths. 

'Towards the evening it promptly gets cold. Air temperatures may drop to just five degrees above freezing, so warm clothes have to be kept handy.'

The temperature in the lakes seldom rises above 17C, but 'it did not hold back the president from taking a swim'.

As Putin trailed the pike, he had a GoPro camera planted on his mask and 'filmed some unique footage while hunting a pike', his spokesman added. 

Vladimir Putin, Tuva Republic
A cameraman awaits Vladimir Putin's arrival to lake Baikal. Picture: Andrey Kolesnikov


Earlier on his swing across the country, and back, Putin had checked progress on gas and hydro power projects in eastern Russia. 

During a visit to Lake Baikal he took part in the ceremony of releasing tens of thousands of young omul fry to restore and maintain the bio diversity of the world's largest lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The fish is seen as in jeopardy in the lake. 

He berated local officials over lack of progress on a number of issues. 

Putin complained that 'significant areas around Baikal have suffered extremely high pollution'.

Baikal - which holds 20% of the world's unfrozen freshwater - 'belongs to the entire planet', he said. It was crucial to preserve it for future generations. 

Officials must pay 'special attention' to clean up the pollution caused by 'irrational and often irresponsible economic activity' around Baikal.

Vladimir Putin lake Baikal
During a visit to Lake Baikal he took part in the ceremony of releasing tens of thousands of young omul fry to restore and maintain the bio diversity of the world's largest lake. Picture: RIA NOVOSTI 


Putin also demanded a road on Olkhon Island between a ferry terminal and the island's central for use by tourists who flock here in summer. 

It was a request from the village of Khuzhir that the president received during June's Direct Line, a televised question-and-answer session with the public.

Putin instructed Irkutsk Region governor Sergei Levchenko to calculate the cost of the highway construction, noting that the road could have already been finished in the past months. 

The governor promised to do the sums by Monday.

Absence of a road has a bad impact on local wildlife. 

Vladimir Putin l


Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin, Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoigu in Tuva. Picture: VESTI


According to the Zapovednoye Pribaikalye agency of Russia's Natural Resources Ministry, Olkhon island is visited by some 300,000 tourists every season who drive cars across the steppe and the shoreline.

Putin instructed Buryatia region's acting chief Alexei Tsydenov to look into complaints about the Emergencies Ministry's response services, as well as the issue of illegal foreign workers.

The president has not announced whether he will run for a new six year term in March 2018.

At one Siberian meeting he was told by a resident whose house was damaged by fire: 'We want to ask you to run for president again at the next election'

Putin promised 'to think about it'.


Comments (20)

I think it's so awesome that Putin can take time from his busy schedule of ordering his political foes killed and imprisoned and making Trump his puppet to go fishing. Good on you, Vladdie! Nice propaganda piece, Siberians!
Jimmy Miller, Apopka, FL 32712
06/08/2017 00:47
4
9
Our leaders in the west can only dream of being as popular as President Putin in Russia. Keep up the good work Mr. P and enjoy your break in Siberia. You have earned it !
Peter fawdon, Brackley/England
06/08/2017 00:22
7
4
I am very much looking forward to visiting Russia in September. This trip will be to St. Petersburg and Moscow but the next will definitely be to the wonderful natural areas of the Urals, Eastern Russia and Siberia. Health and a Healthy Environment are Wealth. Thank you to everyone in Russia who understands this.
Pamela Tetarenko, League City, USA
05/08/2017 21:04
7
5
Just to let you know that you have a Top Knotch Leader in Mr Putin so keep behind him as its so good to see
him as one of the boys.
Pauline Clark, Harrow London UK
05/08/2017 21:02
7
3
Your Russian leader is so active! Working hard then playing hard. So unlike our British prime minister Theresa May who has vanished from view on a THREE WEEK holiday, her reward for messing up Brexit, failing to win convincingly against an extremist opposition party, and being so gloomily pessimistic. Like or loathe Putin, he proudly represents his country and does everything to make life better for its people. He never seems to take more than two days holiday.
George Thomson, Devon
05/08/2017 18:23
8
4
12

Add your comment

We welcome a healthy debate, but do not accept offensive or abusive comments. Please also read 'Siberian Times' Privacy Policy

Name

Town/Country

Add your comments

The views expressed in the comments above are those of our readers. 'Siberian Times' reserves the right to pre-moderate some comments.

Control code*

Type the code

* obligatory


News

Business

The Bank of Russia official exchange rates of foreign currencies
EUR100.27USD92.59GBP116.93Other...