Russian President Vladimir Putin is counting on a landslide victory and another six years in office when the votes are counted this Sunday. He rose from the relative anonymity of the KGB back in 1990's into one of the world's most powerful people. So, who is Putin and what is behind his enduring popularity? CGTN's Aljosa Milenkovic reports.

At the skating rink in Moscow's famous Gorky Park, thousands of mostly youngsters have gathered to show their support for the hockey squad "Team Putin". It was started by several Russian hockey legends, including former sports minister and NHL legend Viacheslav Fetisov. He's known Putin for more than 20 years during which they've developed a deep friendship, something quite apparent by the way he spoke about Putin.

VIACHESLAV FETISOV FORMER RUSSIAN MINISTER OF SPORTS "Back then, he promised the young hockey players that he'll be playing hockey. 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."

In the long line of youngsters waiting to enter the skating rink, we met Nikita, and Katja, local Muscovites, fans of Putin.

NIKITA STUDENT "I think that Vladimir Putin is a guarantee of 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 it's the duty of every patriot of the Russian Federation."

KATJA STUDENT "Because basically, when compared with the policies of the other candidates, his policy is the most rational and fits well."

Judging by the numbers of those that came here, it seems that many share Nikita's and Katja's opinions. At Putin's campaign headquarters in downtown Moscow, we met Andrey Kondrashov, a noted Russian TV journalist, and someone who has spent a lot of time talking with Putin. Here is Andrey in an excerpt of his documentary named simply "Putin". I've asked him what kind of man Putin is.

ANDREY KONDRASHOV PRESS SECRETARY, PUTIN ELECTION CAMPAIGN "He is not susceptible to any kind of hazard or any of the things that can throw him off balance. He is the man with a colossal self-control. And it is understandable how he got those characteristics. First from sports, and second from his work in the intelligence service."

That confidence was on display in Crimea, some 15-hundred kilometers away, when Putin arrived on Wednesday evening. A trip that coincided with the final days of the presidential campaign in Russia.

ALJOSA MILENKOVIC SEVASTOPOL "Tens of thousands came here to Sevastopol to see Vladimir Putin. His press secretary said this rally is not related to the election campaign, but it's to mark the fourth anniversary since Crimea became part of the Russian Federation. Whatever the reason, people, here, look happy about it."

Given the turnout, these Russians appear to be sending a message to the world that Putin will remain in power for another six years. Aljosa Milenkovic, CGTN, Sevastopol.