Putin?s birthday: missile strikes and National Hockey League

Before hitting the ice, Putin received a briefing from Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu about Russia’s current military operations in Syria.

Repeatedly fed the puck by hockey legends such as Vyacheslav Fetisov, Putin scored seven goals and led his all-star team to a 15-10 victory over their opponents from an amateur hockey league he founded in 2011.

Here’s a quick look at how Putin spent his 63rd.

Vladimir Putin marked his 63rd birthday Wednesday dividing his attention between hockey and Syria as supporters sang his praises, comparing him to a range of heroic figures from Buddha to Batman.

On his birthday past year, Putin was reportedly in the Siberian wilderness. “The prime minister will congratulate the president on his birthday in a phone call and also personally at the earliest opportunity”, she said.

Russian planes have spent the last week conducting airstrikes in Syria. A gala match ended with the score 18-6, with Putin netting eight goals for the victorious team.

When he’s not too busy leading one of the most powerful nations in the world, the mercurial Vladimir Putin is known for spending his free time in a variety of different ways.

Another cruise missile air strike? Yes.

Then there’s Putin the Pop Icon – at least according to one of Russia’s most popular rappers. Thanks to the efforts of hockey stars from the Soviet and Russian periods, this project has been a success.

But on Wednesday, Mr Putin told Mr Shoigu – who also scored a goal for Mr Putin’s team – that he sees the results of the Syrian action so far as “positive”.

The game was broadcast live on national television as the highlight of a day of adoring homages to the Russian leader.

In Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, officials hosted a soccer game and unveiled a banner on the entire soccer pitch that read, “The best president”.

Stirring trouble overseas is no easy business, even for macho man Vladimir Putin.