Vladimir Putin marks Russian Christmas by firing St Petersburg cannon
President visiting home town when he pulled trigger on howitzer
Russian president Vladimir Putin celebrated Orthodox Christmas by firing a large cannon in St Petersburg.
Under the Russian Orthodox liturgical calendar, Christmas is observed on 7 January.
Mr Putin was visiting his home town of St Petersburg when he pulled the trigger on a howitzer at the Petropavlovsky Fortress on the banks of the Neva River.
The gun fires a daily midday salute, a tradition since 1865.
The Russian president’s steely image was in full force for the event: bareheaded in the winter cold, he appeared to flinch only slightly when the cannon released its power, then turned away with a smile.
"Military fortress member of staff, I congratulate you, it was a wonderful cannon shot!" a fortress officer told Mr Putin.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies