Vladimir Putin thanks soldiers ‘fighting for our motherland’ as he is inaugurated for fifth time

Vladimir Putin has thanked soldiers “fighting for our motherland” in Ukraine – as he was sworn in as Russian president for a fifth time. Tuesday’s inauguration marks the start of another six years at the top for Mr Putin, 71. He is already the Kremlin’s longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin, having been in power for nearly two-and-a-half decades – 20 years as president, four as prime minister. Image: Pic: Kremlin.ru/Reuters Russian President Vladimir Putin places his hand on the Constitution as he takes the oath By the end of this term, only Catherine the Great will be ahead of him…