Vladimir Putin’s weird topless photos have inspired a new internet craze for Russian men to take-up the #ShirtlessChallenge to prove they love their country
Lads, and some lasses, from both sides of the Urals are stripping off to show off their pecs and patriotism in this bizarre new craze spearheaded by Telegram founder Pavel Durov
RUSSIAN men are following their leader and going shirtless for Vladimir Putin in a bizarre new social media trend.
Some see the topless stunt as a fun-poking exercise aimed at the all-powerful Russian tsar, mocking his penchant for showing off his topless torso to assert his masculinity.
Others reckon its a sly part of the strongman's so far unannounced campaign for another six years in the Kremlin, with elections scheduled for March 2018.
Internet maverick Pavel Durov led the way calling on Russians to bare themselves like Putin on his summer getaways in Siberia, and the somewhat vain flash mob has caught on.
"If you're Russian, you have to join #PutinShirtlessChallenge (or face oblivion)," he told the country's men.
"Two rules from Putin - no photoshop, no pumping. Otherwise you're not an alpha."
Inundated with semi-naked Russian men, he wrote: "My Instagram had to seriously step up the game to keep up with the increased competition from Mr. Putin's shirtless photos."
The 64 year old Kremlin chief is fond of showing his bare chest to the world, his latest shoot coming in remote Tuva region, close to Mongolia, when accompanying officials including Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu joined him in exposing themselves.
"We've all seen the photos of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, testosterone coursing through his veins, muscles taut, his bare chest a symbol of unyielding power," wrote Russia Beyond the Headlines website.
"Whether he be fishing, swimming, or effortlessly riding a horse, for a 64-year-old Putin looks pretty good topless, it must be said.
"The man is a picture of health, virility, and...well maybe beauty is too strong a word.
"Let's just say he's kept himself in shape all these years."
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Wealthy Durov, 32, was founder of Russia's biggest social media network Vkontake - since taken over by Putin allies - before launching encrypted Telegram messenger.
The web guru, nicknamed Russia's Zuckerberg, now lives abroad in self-imposed exile, having complained of harassment in his homeland.
His own topless pose was snapped in Bali.
After his appeal for pictures, 360 quickly arrived, and then they kept coming, some Russians plainly taking themselves more seriously than others.
While the original aim may have been to gently ridicule the Kremlin president, pro-Putin news outlet Life.ru quickly joined the bandwagon telling its readers the stunt was in support of the strongman, encouraging loyalists to join in.
"The flash mob started by Pavel Durov has been supported by 800 people already," it stated.
"It can be translated as 'take off your shirt and be like Putin'.
"Anyone can take part if he wants to demonstrate his good body, and share and express his support to the Russian president."
As a bonus, "the female part of humanity has plenty to look at," the report went on.
Politician Dmitry Gudkov - son of a KGB General - joined the posers, calling on men all over Russia to strip off too.
"This PutinShirtlessChallenge is too slow - we have to support it, I think. There are torsos in Russian villages!"
Not everyone is happy, however.
Fedor wrote: "Where are the girls? I hate looking at men!."
In fact, some women have joined in, too, although not fully topless.
Viktor complained: "These men are taking selfies like ordinary girls.
"These photos are about nothing. No dynamics, no thoughts.
"When you look at Putin's photos, you see actions with understandable messages. His look tells us that Putin is healthy and ready for action."
Others said this was clearly PR for Putin.
"The question is: what for?"
Putin is widely expected to announce he will run for another six year term at elections in March, but he has not done so yet.
Pundits saw his recent outdoors photo shoot and current exhausting work schedule as evidence he is not ready for retirement even though he has already outlasted all Western leaders in power when he first entered the Kremlin in 2000.
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