President Putin strips for shirtless dip in ice-cold lake

Vladimir Putin has starred in yet another macho photo call, this time going for a dip in an icy lake clad in just his trunks.

Never one to shy away from stripping off, the Russian president was filmed getting into a Siberian lake to celebrate Epiphany – a major holiday in Orthodox Christianity which marks the baptism of Jesus.

State TV footage shows 65-year-old Putin approaching a hole cut in the ice on Lake Seliger in north-western Russia, clad in felt knee-high boots and a sheepskin coat.

After stripping to his trunks, Putin dunks himself in the water and crosses himself.

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The president’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said Putin had dipped in icy waters on the Epiphany before, but today (Friday) marks the first time he has done so publicly.

In Orthodox tradition, water blessed by a priest during Epiphany week is considered holy and pure, and believers attribute healing powers to it.

Authorities set up bathing sites for believers all over Russia, including some areas in Siberia where temperatures dipped below minus 30C.

Previous scantily-clad photo ops have seen Putin shirtless while fishing, horse riding and simply lounging in a chair, catching some rays.