Pootie-poot’s a pinup boy! Cringy Putin propaganda calendar shows Russian leader body slamming judo partner, driving snow mobile
Fiona Hill, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, told the New York Times, “They are positioning Putin as this iconic figure, reminding everybody how cool he is, how much in charge he is.”
A new 2026 Vladimir Putin calendar puts the Russian president front and center in a series of highly staged, macho images — from body-slamming a judo partner to revving a snowmobile across the snow.
Each month features a “candid” shot of Putin, paired with a quote from his speeches or public remarks over the past year. Readers can see him shaking hands with admirers (August), hiking ruggedly in the outdoors (July), and even playing piano in a suit and tie (June).
“Russia’s border never ends,” reads the February quote.
“My recipe for energy: Sleep little, work a lot and don’t whine,” advises August.
Notably absent from the pages is any acknowledgment of Putin’s role in the ongoing war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022. Instead, the calendar portrays him as a fatherly figure, a fearless sportsman, a historian, and even a lifestyle coach, according to experts.
“They are positioning Putin as this iconic figure, reminding everybody how cool he is, how much in charge he is, how much he’s kind of the living symbol and embodiment of literally everybody’s days,” said Fiona Hill, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Hill, who ran the Russia desk at the National Security Council during the first Trump administration, described the calendar as “a man for every season.”
The annual pinup is available at newspaper stands and bookstores across Russia for $3.50.
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