On board Vladimir Putin, diving in a mini-submarine

Russian President Vladimir Putin appears ready to start replacing long-serving allies in his inner circle after the sudden departure of Russian Railways chief Vladimir Yakunin as head of the country’s largest employer.

The fighting flared earlier this week, killing at least two Ukrainian soldiers and several civilians.

The 46-year-old boxer and rapper met with the Russian President for tea in the annexed territory, where he is due to take part in a show this weekend.

Putin was photographed lowering himself into the “C-Explorer” submersible alongside members of the Russian Geographical Society before descending to see the 11th-century shipwreck that was discovered by divers from Rostov-on-Don in March. “On the contrary, according to the available data, it is concentrating its units there, including those reinforced with military hardware”, Putin said.

Jones complimented Putin’s ability in “combat sports”, citing the Russian president’s well-documented judo ability.

Putin is in the middle of his third visit to Crimea since he ordered out thousands of special forces troops to take control of the peninsula.

But Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Kremlin would consider any request from the White House for a meeting between Putin and Obama at the United Nations.

Putin’s popularity reached an all-time high in recent months. “Key topics for discussion will include measures to promote the development of domestic tourism as an indicator of socio-economic development of Russian regions, Crimea in particular”, the press service said.

In January 2014 only 34% of Russians supported Mr Putin, but that has significantly changed since the Sochi Olympics and Crimea annexation, with the latest polls giving him an 87% approval rating.

While underwater, Putin talked to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on a radio.