Vladimir Putin dressed in white to fly a microlight aircraft to lead a flock of young Siberian white cranes in flight.
Mr Putin, whose costume was meant to imitate an adult crane, was taking part in a project to teach the endangered birds, raised in captivity, to follow the aircraft on their southern migration to Central Asia.
It follows stunts, from flying a fighter jet to riding a horse bare-chested, that have made the action-man Russian leader both notorious and beloved.
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