Putin takes traditional Epiphany dip in icy waters

Russian state television showed short video clip of Putin in blue bathing trunks walking down a set of wooden steps and crossing himself as he took three dips in a cross-shaped Epiphany bath hole.

Air temperatures at the time were around fourteen degrees Celsius below zero.

Each year on Epiphany, Orthodox believers immerse themselves in rivers and lakes to commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.