Shirtless Vladimir Putin takes dip in icy Russian lake for the Epiphany

The Russian leader was photographed shirtless, once again.

ByABC News
January 18, 2018, 9:14 PM

— -- Another outdoor excursion in Russian's vast wilderness, another series of shirtless Vladimir Putin photos.

The brawny, bare-chested Russian leader, 65, was photographed Thursday taking a dip in the frigid cold waters of Lake Seliger, located about five hours northwest of Moscow. Putin was celebrating the Epiphany, which in Eastern Christianity, commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ.

PHOTO: Russia's President Vladimir Putin dips in the icy waters of Lake Seliger during the celebration of Epiphany.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin dips in the icy waters of Lake Seliger during the celebration of Epiphany.

While this most recent outing was spiritual in nature, his past shirtless endeavors have illustrated his fondness for celebrating all things machismo.

One of the most iconic photos -- and one of the first shirtless images to nearly break the Internet -- is of a shirtless Putin in August 2009 riding a horse while on vacation outside the town of Kyzyl in Southern Siberia.

PHOTO: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin rides a horse during his vacation outside the town of Kyzyl in Southern Siberia on August 3, 2009.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin rides a horse during his vacation outside the town of Kyzyl in Southern Siberia on August 3, 2009.

And this past August, the leader -- who some may say has a "dad bod" -- was photographed sunbathing, fishing and hiking in Southern Siberia. He was also photographed sunbathing and fishing with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who also dropped his top.

PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin and defense minister Sergei Shoigu fish in the remote Tuva region in southern Siberia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu fish in the remote Tuva region in southern Siberia.
PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin hunts fish underwater in the remote Tuva region in southern Siberia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hunts fish underwater in the remote Tuva region in southern Siberia.
PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin hunts fish underwater in the remote Tuva region in southern Siberia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hunts fish underwater in the remote Tuva region in southern Siberia.

When footage of Putin's August vacation was broadcast on Russian state television, it emphasized "the physical fitness of the president."