News > Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever

Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever

Vladimir Putin began his fifth term as Russian leader, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands. In a heavily choreographed performance, Putin was pictured in his office looking at his papers before walking along the Kremlin's long corridors, pausing at one point to look at a painting, on the way to his inauguration.