Russian magazine releases annual Vladimir Putin calendar

Calendars are often called the gifts which keep on giving, but a Russian magazine has taken it to the next level for anyone particularly obsessed with President Vladimir Putin.

Putin appearing on the front of a calendar in Russia Source: Twitter

The 2017 edition of Zvezdi Soveti's annual Putin calendar has hit news stands across Moscow, featuring 12 photos of the President paired with quotes extolling certain virtues.

As with many previous photoshoots, the calendar portrays Mr Putin as an action man.

He's seen flying planes, scuba diving, and riding a horse (though he's wearing a jacket this time).

But the collection also tries to show a softer side, with photos of him sitting in a tree, lighting a church candle and holding a kitten.

His quotes address everything from the Russian army to bread production.

According to BBC reporter Steve Rosenberg, the final page shows Mr Putin looking forward to 2018 with a somewhat ominous statement.

"Russia is a peace-loving and self-sufficient country," it reads.

"We don't need other people's territories, and we don't need other people's natural resources. 

"But if we are threatened, we are prepared to use weapons to guarantee our security."

Last year, the magazine sold all of its 200,000 copies of the 2016 Putin calendar.