Russian President Vladimir Putin eyes a landslide victory in this Sunday's presidential elections, and for another six year term in the Kremlin. He rose from the relative anonymity of Russia's Committee for State Security (KGB) and Federal Security Service (FSB) operative back in the 1990’s to become one of the world’s most powerful people. So, who is Vladimir Putin, and what is behind his enduring popularity?

To find out answers, we started our quest at the skating rink in Moscow's famous Gorky Park, where thousands of people, mostly youngsters, have gathered to express their support with a hockey squad named “Team Putin”. A project started by several Russian hockey legends, including former Russian sports minister and NHL legend Viacheslav Fetisov. He has known Putin for over 20 years during which time they have developed a deep friendship, that was apparent from the way he spoke about the current Russian president.

“Back then he promised the young hockey players that he'd be playing hockey,” Fetisov remembered an event when Putin decided to start learning to play the game. “And, you know, he fulfilled his promise. Imagine how difficult it was for a 58-year-old man who never in his life skated to stand on skates and to push the puck. To fall and to get up again, just to fulfill his promise.”

Behind Viacheslav Fetisov, there were queues of youngsters waiting to enter the skating rink. Among them were Nikita and Katja - local Muscovites and fans of Putin.

Nikita, who is a student of Moscow University, was more than happy to express his thoughts on the Russian president.

“I think that Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is the guarantee for Russia’s sustainable development. It allows us to be a strong, independent and successful country. That's why, to support our candidate at the elections, I think is the duty of every patriot of the Russian Federation.”

Katja agreed, saying, “Because, when compared with the policies of the other candidates, his policy is the most rational and fits well.”

Judging by the numbers of people that came here, it seems that many share Nikita’s and Katja’s opinions. 

After Gorky Park, the next station was Putin’s campaign headquarters in downtown Moscow. There was Andrei Kondrashov, one of the most famous Russian TV presenters, and also a person who spent a lot of time speaking with Putin about things that aren't commonly known to the world. He just recently finished filming a documentary simply named “Putin”.  

Now, Andrey Kondrashov is the Press Secretary of the Putin election campaign, and he shared his personal views about Putin after speaking extensively with him.

“He is not susceptible to any kind of hazard or any of the things that can throw him out of the balance. He is the man with colossal self-control. And it is understandable how he got those characteristics. First from sports, and second from his work in the intelligence service.”

Putin's calmness and apparent personal stability seems to have made a significant impact on the Russian voters. It was seen, in Crimea, some 1,500km south of Moscow, where Putin arrived on Wednesday evening.

Tens of thousands of people came to Sevastopol to see Putin speaking at the rally. As his press secretary stated, the gathering was not related to the election campaign but to marking the 4th anniversary of Crimea becoming part of the Russian Federation. 

It seemed that by showing massive support for their president, Russians were sending a message to the world that Putin is here to stay.

(Cover Photo: A man looks at a painting depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin at the "SUPERPUTIN" exhibition at UMAM museum in Moscow on Dec. 6, 2017. /VCG Photo)

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