Putin turns 63: Russian President spends birthday playing hockey with NHL players and winning awards
Mr Putin scored seven goals and received a medal for his ‘contribution to hockey in Russia’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Vladimir Putin was apparently on a mission to prove he is still fighting fit at 63 by deciding to spend his birthday playing hockey with a team full of NHL players.
Just days after Russia’s military intervention in the Syrian conflict was confirmed, the Russian President led a match in Sochi against Russian officials and tycoons, including Gennady Timchenko and Arkady Rotenberg. Both were hit by sanctions from the West in 2013 after Mr Putin annexed Crimea.
Mr Putin scored seven goals and was handed a trophy at the end of the game - as well as a medal for his “contribution to hockey in Russia”, according to the Associated Press.
His celebrations came as Russia’s Ministry of Defence shared footage of rockets being launched from the deck of a warship targeting Isis positions.
Mr Putin's 62nd birthday was a much more low key affair spent in the Siberian wilderness, far from populated towns.
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
Comments