Vladimir Putin has been sworn in for his fifth term as Russia's president in front of dignitaries, celebrities and friends, including US actor Steven Seagal and a biker gang leader known as 'The Surgeon'.
The dictator was first sworn in as president almost a quarter of a century ago in May 2000, vowing at the time to 'preserve and develop democracy' and to 'take care of Russia.'
He has since launched his country into a full-scale war with Ukraine, resulting in hundreds of thousands of Russian casualties, and brutally extinguished all opposition either through arrest, assassination, or during the recent rigged election.
Russian opposition figure Yulia Navalnaya called President Vladimir Putin a 'liar, a thief (and) a murderer' in a statement ahead of his inauguration ceremony.
'Our country is being led by a liar, a thief and a murderer. But this will definitely come to an end,' said Navalnaya, the exiled widow of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in prison.
Russian President Vladimir Putin takes the oath during an inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia May 7, 2024
US actor Steven Seagal arrives to Russia's president-elect Vladimir Putin inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 7, 2024
The Russian dictator was first sworn in as president almost a quarter of a century ago
Alexander Zaldostanov, also known as Khirurg (The Surgeon), a leader of the Night Wolves bikers' club, arrives for the inauguration ceremony
The ceremony took place in the gilded Grand Kremlin Palace and was attended by hand-picked guests
During the ceremony inside the gilded Grand Kremlin Palace, Putin placed his hand on the Russian Constitution and vowed to defend it as a crowd of hand-picked dignitaries looked on.
They included fellow politicians but also Putin's friends, such as Hollywood actor Seagal, who received his Russian citizenship in 2017.
The pair first bonded over their shared love of martial arts and the Hard to Kill and Under Siege actor last year received an Order of Friendship medal from Putin.
The 72-year-old hailed his friend as the 'greatest world leader' and claimed that the future in Russia would 'be the best' under the dictator's rule.
Biker club leader Alexander Zaldastanov was also among attendees, and arrived at the ceremony clad in leather with his signature unruly beard and long hair.
The patriotic punk has described himself as a 'friend' of Putin, and has been put under Western sanctions for his support for Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Also in attendance was Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, a crony of Putin's who has been the subject of claims that he is terminally ill in recent weeks.
The Head of the Chechen Republic appeared to struggle up the stairs into the hall as he arrived flanked by his aides, who helped him to pull off his jacket when they reached the top.
Head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov speaks to journalists after a ceremony inaugurating Vladimir Putin
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu at the ceremony
Vladimir Putin is flanked by dignitaries as he walks the red carpet to take his oath as Russian president in the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow
The dictator was first sworn in as president almost a quarter of a century ago in May 2000 (pictured in 2001)
The Russian leader was greeted with applause when he entered the hall with more than 2,500 people who, his spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, had been invited to the ceremony.
Senior members of the Russian government, including Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, lined the red carpet.
While many Western governments boycotted the event, an anonymous French diplomat confirmed that the French ambassador attended.
US Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy did not attend and Russian state news agency Tass reported she was out of the country.
Putin said in his speech that Russia would pass through the current 'difficult' period stronger and emerge victorious - an apparent reference to his long-running war in Ukraine.
'We will pass through this difficult period with dignity and become even stronger,' Putin said, adding: 'We are a united and great nation, and together we will overcome all obstacles, realise everything we have planned, and together, we will win.'
Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Irina Yarovaya (C) attends the inauguration ceremony
Attendees applauded as Putin ascended the stairs to the podium to be sworn in
Soldiers of the Presidential Regiment bring in the national flag during the inauguration ceremony of Vladimir Putin
Since succeeding President Boris Yeltsin in the waning hours of 1999, Putin has transformed Russia from a country emerging from economic collapse to a pariah state that threatens global security.
Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine that has become Europe's biggest conflict since World War II, Russia has been heavily sanctioned by the West and is turning to other regimes like China, Iran and North Korea for support.
Taking aim at the West, Putin used his speech to insist that his country is not refusing dialogue with Ukraine's allies and to bemoan the 'pressure' being placed on Russia.
He claimed that Moscow stands ready to become an 'honest' partner with anybody who is willing.
'We are not even refusing the dialogue with Western countries,' he said. 'We will see if they continue to halt the development of our country and continue to put pressure on our country, or look for ways to cooperate with us.'
After he was sworn in, Putin met with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, in part of the ceremony which symbolises the backing of the new leader by the church.
Going from a little-known KGB agent to leader of the biggest country in the world, Putin was first inaugurated as president exactly 24 years ago, making him the second democratically elected president in the country's history.
He said at the time: 'We want Russia to be free and flourishing, a rich, strong and civilized country of which its citizens are proud and which is respected in the world,'
Chechen leader Kadyrov appeared to struggle up the stairs as he was seen arriving at the ceremony
When he got to the top of the staircase he went to take his jacket off, but seemed to require assistance
Two of his aides are seen rushing to help pull the coat off Kadyrov before he continued to walk up the hallway
'The construction of a democratic society has not been completed; we have to preserve and develop democracy,' he added in the 10-minute address, which he made after being sworn in.
He is now the longest-serving Russian leader since Joseph Stalin, and the question now is what the 71-year-old Putin will do over the course of another six years in power.
Russian forces are gaining ground in Ukraine, deploying scorched-earth tactics as Kyiv grapples with shortages of men and ammunition. Both sides are taking heavy casualties.
Ukraine has brought the battle to Russian soil through drone and missile attacks, especially in border regions. In a speech in February, Putin vowed to fulfill Moscow's goals in Ukraine, and do what is needed to 'defend our sovereignty and security of our citizens.'
Shortly after his orchestrated reelection in March, Putin suggested that a confrontation between NATO and Russia is possible, and he declared he wanted to carve out a buffer zone in Ukraine to protect his country from cross-border attacks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin places his hand on the Constitution as he takes the oath during an inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow
A honour guard carries the Constitution of the Russian Federation and the President's sign prior to Vladimir Putin's inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin
At home, Putin's popularity is closely tied to improving living standards for ordinary Russians.
He began his term in 2018 by promising to get Russia into the top five global economies, vowing it should be 'modern and dynamic.' Instead, Russia's economy has pivoted to a war footing, and authorities are spending record amounts on defense.
Analysts say now that Putin has secured another six years in power, the government could take the unpopular steps of raising taxes to fund the war and pressure more men to join the military.
At the start of a new term, the Russian government is routinely dissolved so that Putin can name a new prime minister and Cabinet. One key area to watch is the Defense Ministry.
Singer Yaroslav Dronov, also known as SHAMAN, waits ahead of the inaugauration ceremony
Actor and producer Ivan Okhlobystin waits before a ceremony inaugurating Vladimir Putin
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin (C) arrives for the inauguration ceremony of Vladimir Putin as Russian President in the Kremlin
Last year, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu came under pressure over his conduct of the war, with mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin launching withering criticism against him for shortages of ammunition for his private contractors fighting in Ukraine.
Prigozhin's brief uprising in June against the Defense Ministry represented the biggest threat to Putin's rule.
After Prigozhin was killed two months later in a mysterious plane crash, Shoigu appeared to have survived the infighting. But last month, his protege, Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, was detained on charges of bribery amid reports of rampant corruption.
Some analysts have suggested Shoigu could become a victim of the government reshuffle but that would be a bold move as the war is still raging in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during a meeting last year
Prigozhin's brief uprising in June against the Defense Ministry represented the biggest threat to Putin's rule. Pictured: Mercenaries in Russia's city of Rostov-on-Don, June 24, 2023
In the years following the invasion, authorities have cracked down on any form of dissent with a ferocity not seen since Soviet times. There is no sign that this repression will ease in Putin's new term.
His greatest political foe, opposition leader Alexei Navalny, died in an Arctic penal colony in February. Other prominent critics have either been imprisoned or have fled the country, and even some of his opponents abroad fear for their security.
Laws have been enacted that threaten long prison terms for anyone who discredits the military. The Kremlin also targets independent media, rights groups, LGBTQ+ activists and others who don't hew to what Putin has emphasized as Russia's 'traditional family values.'
