Putin finds ancient jars during scuba diving holidays

The former Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin recently demonstrated the amazing skills he picked up on scuba diving holidays, by managing to find treasure in what was just his third dive. Putin is said to have put on his wetsuit overnight and decided to submerge at the sight of a Greek ruin.

In his spectacular scuba dive around the southern Russian coast, near Ukraine, Putin discovered two precious, ancient jars dating back to the sixth century. “The head of the expedition said they are from the sixth century AD,” Putin explained. This would date them to the time of the early Byzantine era.

On the evening of the expedition, the water was so clear it permitted the press to see follow the action closely. The reporters and representatives of the media that accompanied the Russian leader in this adventure scuba diving mission said Mr. Putin had only descended around 7 feet when he found the wondrous objects.

Television cameras caught footage that showed the two moss-covered containers, sitting almost next to each other, just visible over the top of the sandy bottom, when Mr. Putin retrieved them. Putin showed his excitement by exclaiming: “Treasure!” just after emerging from the water, and joked: “They drank it already” when asked if there was anything left inside the vases.

The thrilling journey of the Russian political leader, took him to Taman Peninsula by the Krasnodar region. This could now earn a place amongst the most interesting scuba diving destinations, due to the artifacts of historic value found by the Russian ex-President. This zone was home to the Phanagoria colony founded by the Greeks 2500 years ago and occupied by the ancient Rus in the 10th century.

Vladimir Putin, former Soviet intelligence officer, rose to the presidency in 2000, showing a controlled and sensible appearance that combined nationalist rhetoric with a macho image that made him stand out amongst Russian leaders. However, over the years, the international community has seen a danger-loving side to Putin.

His taste for danger has been noted on several occasions. Putin has flown a fighter jet into Chechnya and descended to the bottom of Lake Baikal in a special deep-sea vessel. Mr. Putin has been photographed wearing his judo black belt, and going on risky hunting trips. He was even sighted chasing whales off Russia’s Pacific coast with a crossbow in his hand. These highly risky adventures Putin enjoys make scuba diving holidays look almost dull.

“Living in general is dangerous,” is his response for this behaviour, office members quoted these words to the media, and he later piloted a Formula One car on a circuit near his native city of St. Petersburg.

Vladimir Putin’s activities sometimes contrast with the apparent calmer lifestyle of President Dmitry Medvedev who will soon commit himself to a second term, amid speculation that Putin himself may run in next year’s election. Even so, Medvedev, has also faced slight calamities with the media, including this summer's incident when he almost ran his SUV car over a cheering crowd of supporters, after forgetting to put the vehicle in park mode.

Putin and Medvedev, have promised not to compete against each other, and to decide which of them will stand for the presidency.