21 Photos Of Vladimir Putin That Will Melt Your Heart

Vladimir Putin has been at the highest echelons of Russian power since 1999.

In that time, he's become known as an incredible powerful person, perhaps the (second) most important in the world. He's also something of a macho man — some would even say he's a badass.

However, he also appears to have a gentler side — one that he loved to show off in publicity shots. This gentler Putin loves children, animals and fun.

Which is the real Putin?