Putin admits stunt was faked

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has admitted that one of his most publicised stunts was staged. Last year he was shown on Russian television with two ancient Greek jugs he allegedly found while scuba diving.

Mr Putin has now confirmed that "of course [the jugs] were planted", adding that "swindles happen" when his subordinates organise his stunts, speaking in an interview published in Bolshoy Gorod magazine.

He said he was angry about the set-ups, however.

Mr Putin was pictured last week flying a microlight to lead a flock of cranes on migration.

AP