Putin's Bling
Published 28 August 2012
A new report by Russian opposition leaders accuses President Vladimir Putin of enjoying a lifestyle that "can be compared to that of a Persian Gulf monarch or a flamboyant oligarch."
1 An estate west of Moscow, Novo-Ogaryovo was recognized as an official presidential estate in 2000. It had been a vacation retreat for Soviet leaders and was mostly unused in the 1990s.
2 Close to St. Petersburg, the Constantine Palace in Strelna was originally built for Peter the Great as a summer residence.
3 Constantine Palace fell into disrepair after the October Revolution and was used as a naval base during World War II. In 2001, Putin ordered that it be restored and converted into a presidential residence.
4 An official residence for the Russian president, Meyendorff (Meiendorf) Castle in Barvikha, close to Moscow, was built in 1885-1887.
5 A view of the interior of Meyendorff Castle. It was occupied after the October Revolution and used as a sanatorium during Soviet times.
6 Another of Putin's residences is his Black Sea home of Bocharov Ruchei near the resort of Sochi.
7 Putin on board one of his presidential planes. According to the report, he has 43 airplanes at his disposal.
8 This IL-96-300 passenger airplane was turned over to Putin's presidential air detachment.
9 Putin reportedly has 15 helicopters at his disposal. His aircraft alone are worth $1 billion.
10 The president also has the use of a fleet of luxury cars.
11 In 2011, Russia bought the super-yacht "Sirius" for $40 million.
12 The floating pleasure palace has a Jacuzzi for six, sun-bathing areas, a gym, a cinema, and an alfresco dining area for 14 with barbecue and bar.
13 Putin reportedly has a large collection of luxury watches, including some made by the Swiss watchmaker Blancpain. His collection is reputed to be worth nearly $700,000.