Putin shows off his catch
Putin shows off his catch

Russian president Vladimir Putin has landed a giant pike on a fishing expedition in Siberia, says the Kremlin.

A video released by the Kremlin shows 60-year-old action man Putin hauling the 21kg (46lb) fish from a lake while the country's prime minister Dmitry Medvedev takes pictures and all assembled laugh with astonishment.

The footage goes on to show Putin amiably chatting and drinking tea with Medvedev, patting a reindeer and driving a speedboat.

Observers believe the presence of Medvedev may be intended to quell speculation of a rift between the pair.

"It was very interesting relaxation. Putin and Medvedev socialised very warmly, talked and went swimming," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the state ITAR-TASS news agency on Friday.

It is the latest in a series of videos released to enhance Putin's nature-loving strongman image which he has cultivated to appeal to voters.

Previously, he has been shown riding a horse bare-chested through the wilderness, tranquillising polar bears, and even piloting a hang-glider to lead endangered cranes on their migration route.

Watch Putin in action below: