2018-02-27, Sources
Supporters of Russian president Vladimir Putin are hoping a series of explicit and bizarre videos will ensure a landslide victory for their leader in next month’s election.
The latest clip features heavily made-up, scantily-clad models posing provocatively in stilettos and lingerie, while one even poses topless on an office desk.
It was made by the Russian edition of the racy men’s magazine Maxim, and is designed to encourage young men to vote in the looming presidential poll.
The ad does not mention the names of any specific candidates and Maxim will not reveal who has commissioned the film.
However, it is widely believed to be part of a covert strategy to keep Putin in the top job.
The ad is designed to encourage young men to vote in next month’s election. Picture: Maxim RussiaSource:Supplied
Provocative photos taken during the shoot have also been released on social media, with suggestive captions such as “All that happens at the polling station will remain at the polling station …” and “help me to undo my ballot paper”.
Mr Malenkov said while the ad looked “a bit absurd”, it was “one of numerous compromises” he had to make.
He said the magazine was being paid to produce the video, although the amount received has not been revealed.
The Maxim video is just the latest in a series of bizarre propaganda ads doing the rounds on Russian social media sites.
A homophobic, pro-Putin film was also recently released, which warned that if Putin lost the election, Russian families would be forced by law to “adopt” gay people without partners.
It is not known who produced the video, but it has been viewed millions of times.
Another video released in early February showed a young woman refusing to have sex with a man because he had not voted in the election.
Putin, 65, has served as president of the Russian Federation since May 2012.
He had previously held the same position from 2000 to 2008.
He was the nation’s Prime Minister from 1999 until 2000 and again from 2008 to 2015, and is expected to win the upcoming poll, which kicks off on March 18.
However, if no candidate receives an absolute majority of more than 50 per cent of votes on that date, a second voting round will be held three weeks later.
The Kremlin’s strategy has been to encourage as many Russians to vote in the non-compulsory poll in the belief it would ensure Putin’s victory over fellow candidates including Sergey Baburin and liberal journalist Ksenia Sobchak.
