Putin takes a dive
19.08.2015 13:45
REUTERS by Gavino Garay
President Putin was in the disputed region of Crimea, annexed by Russian forces last year. But this time, with media and ministers watching, Putin was taking a dive in a submersible, for a closer look at 11th century shipwrecks on the bottom of the Black Sea. He radioed-in some of the troves he says he spotted while underwater. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING: "There are simply so many interesting things here. There are so many objects, there are amphorae scattered around. The ship wreckage is seen very well, and specialists say there will be a lot of work to do here." This was not Putin's first underwater stunt... He was seen in 2011 diving off the southern coast of Russia, where he said he 'found' two ancient vases from the 6th century AD. His spokesman later admitted the discovery was staged, although no such details have emerged following this latest dive.
