Vladimir Putin is caught in a downpour while marking the death of Russians killed in the Second World War


Vladimir Putin was left standing out in the rain as he attended a ceremony to mark the 76th anniversary of the Nazi invasion of Russia in Moscow after a torrential downpour suddenly started

Vladimir Putin was left standing out in the rain as he attended a ceremony to mark the 76th anniversary of the Nazi invasion of Russia in Moscow after a torrential downpour suddenly started

  • Vladimir Putin attended Day of Memory and Sorrow ceremony, marking the day the Nazis invaded Russia 
  • He laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow, honouring Russian troops killed in the war
  • In total Russia lost 9 million soldiers to the Nazis, though 17million civilians also died, mostly of starvation

Vladimir Putin got a soaking in Moscow yesterday when the skies opened during a ceremony to commemorate the Nazi invasion of Russia during the Second World War. 
The President stood alone in the downpour looking stoically at a floral tribute on June 22, also known as the Day of Memory and Sorrow, which marks the moment that Hitler broke his allegiance with Stalin.
Russian efforts to stop the ensuing Nazi Blitzkrieg and recapture lost territory would ultimately cost 26million lives, including many citizens who starved to death.
Events to remember Russia's role and sacrifices in the Second World War have taken on special significance under Putin's regime, which relies on nationalistic pride to reinforce his popularity and grip on power.
While many in the crowd carried umbrellas to the event, Putin seemed to choose to go without, instead standing grim-faced in the pounding rain.
Dmitry Medvedev, his Prime Minister, also went without shelter.
The pair were eventually provided with umbrellas as they watched the military parade across Alexander Garden, alongside the Kremlin wall, where the memorial is located.
Vladimir Putin was left standing out in the rain as he attended a ceremony to mark the 76th anniversary of the Nazi invasion of Russia in Moscow after a torrential downpour suddenly started
Vladimir Putin was left standing out in the rain as he attended a ceremony to mark the 76th anniversary of the Nazi invasion of Russia in Moscow after a torrential downpour suddenly started
The stoic Russian premier put on a brave face he as stood out in the pounding rain, in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located at the Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden in Moscow
The stoic Russian premier put on a brave face he as stood out in the pounding rain, in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located at the Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden in Moscow
The ceremony, which had started out dry, suddenly turned wet when a surprise downpour hit and seemed to catch organisers unawares, as there was not an umbrella in sight 
The ceremony, which had started out dry, suddenly turned wet when a surprise downpour hit and seemed to catch organisers unawares, as there was not an umbrella in sight 

June 22 is known as the Day of Memory and Sorrow in Russia, and commemorates the moment that Hitler broke his alliance with Stalin and started war with Russia - which would ultimately claim 26million Russian lives


While Russia has a long history of honouring its war dead, such patriotic events have been given new significance but Putin's regime which relies on a strong sense of nationalism to reinforce his hold on power
While Russia has a long history of honouring its war dead, such patriotic events have been given new significance but Putin's regime which relies on a strong sense of nationalism to reinforce his hold on power
While the Russian leader barely seemed to notice the rain throughout the event, the same could not be said of his Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who appeared less-than-pleased at the downpour
While the Russian leader barely seemed to notice the rain throughout the event, the same could not be said of his Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who appeared less-than-pleased at the downpour
Bit late for that? Putin was eventually handed an umbrella which he attempted to use to shelter himself, but the damage seemed to have been done by that point
Bit late for that? Putin was eventually handed an umbrella which he attempted to use to shelter himself, but the damage seemed to have been done by that point
Gimmie shelter: Putin did finally accept an open umbrella from a member of his security team before watching the military parade across Alexandrovsky Garden, where the memorial to Russia's war dead in located
Gimmie shelter: Putin did finally accept an open umbrella from a member of his security team before watching the military parade across Alexandrovsky Garden, where the memorial to Russia's war dead in located
At last: Putin finds some relief under an umbrella, though seems to be giving little thought to the plight of colleague Dmity Medvedev, who was left hanging out in the downpour
At last: Putin finds some relief under an umbrella, though seems to be giving little thought to the plight of colleague Dmity Medvedev, who was left hanging out in the downpour
Room for one more? Prime Minister Medvedev was left standing out in the downpour as Putin sheltered under his umbrella - though in truth the shelter seemed to come a little late for both men
Room for one more? Prime Minister Medvedev was left standing out in the downpour as Putin sheltered under his umbrella - though in truth the shelter seemed to come a little late for both men
Undercover at last: Eventually spare umbrellas were brought to cover both Russian leaders after the surprise downpour had caught ceremony organisers unawares
Undercover at last: Eventually spare umbrellas were brought to cover both Russian leaders after the surprise downpour had caught ceremony organisers unawares
Putin also laid roses on top of stone memorials containing soil from the 'hero cities' - places where the Nazi Blitzkrieg was stopped, forming the basis for a Russian counterattack that would drive Hitler back to Berlin 
Putin also laid roses on top of stone memorials containing soil from the 'hero cities' - places where the Nazi Blitzkrieg was stopped, forming the basis for a Russian counterattack that would drive Hitler back to Berlin 
As Putin followed a military parade out into the Alexander Garden, near the Kremlin, the skies remained unopened - though this did not last for long after the ceremony started
As Putin followed a military parade out into the Alexander Garden, near the Kremlin, the skies remained unopened - though this did not last for long after the ceremony started
Shortly after the ceremony began the rain started. While one of Putin's ministers and plenty of onlookers had brought umbrellas with him, the Russian President and his Prime Minister decided to go without them
Shortly after the ceremony began the rain started. While one of Putin's ministers and plenty of onlookers had brought umbrellas with him, the Russian President and his Prime Minister decided to go without them
(The Mail, UK)