
The Russian president has been taking a summer holiday in Siberia, as he puts some of the country's troubles to one side to go diving and fishing.

Vladimir Putin has been photographed shirtless in the lakes of Siberia, as he catches fish and catches some sun.

The premier visited the region earlier this week, and was briefed there about a mining accident at one of the country's largest diamond mines.

Vladimir Putin goes fishing in the remote Tuva region in southern Siberia at the beginning of the week, where he landed a big catch

Putin was in the region between August 1 and 3. It's an area he visits regularly, as a fan of rugged, outdoor leisure activities

Putin shows off his catch against the impressive backdrop of the Siberian mountains in the remote Tuva region of the country

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L), accompanied by defence minister Sergei Shoigu, gestures as he takes a break to enjoy his surroundings

Its not the first time the outdoors adventureman has taken a break to the Siberian mountains.

The Russian premier visits the Tuva region regularly, even though it is not a big draw for many tourists.

And he usually opts to go shirtless here, as in 2009, the famous photo of him riding a horse without his top on was taken.

Political analysts say the president takes adventure holidays to show the nation that he is still healthy, strong and full of vigor.

It also helps encourage other Russians to holiday at home, instead of journeying out of the country for foreign vacations.

According to Russia Beyond the Headlines, besides walking, Putin loves to fish, and he has taken several trips with Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

One of the fishing outings was historic as on August 17, 2011, as they were fishing, the politicians decided to switch positions, with Putin running for president, and Medvedev returning to being prime minister.

The Russian leader sunbathes in Tuva during his holiday. The president was photographed here in 2009 as well, when he rode shirtless on a horse

By taking outdoors holidays, Putin is said to be showing he is a healthy and strong president, despite being 64-years-old

Putin gives defence minister Sergei Shoigu some fishing tips as the pair cast their rods into the rivers in the remote Siberian region

While the president was away, emergency services dealt with a crisis in a mine, as more than 130 people became trapped after a sudden flood.

Alrosa, Russia's largest diamond producer, said 102 miners were evacuated and 33 are set to be raised to the surface after water broke through into the mine at around 4.30pm local time yesterday.

A further nine were unaccounted for, reports stated yesterday afternoon.

The water leaked into one of the mine's pumping stations out of a flooded disused crater that contained some 300,000 cubic metres of water, or the equivalent of 120 Olympic-size swimming pools, the emergency situations ministry said.

Alrosa's president, Sergei Ivanov, is the 36-year-old son of Putin's former chief of staff, also called Sergei Ivanov. He has headed Alrosa since March this year.

Alrosa, based in the Sakha region, made a net profit of 22.7 billion rubles ($376.37 million) in the first quarter of 2017.

Holidaying in Russia also helps encourage other citizens to holiday at home, rather than take foreign breaks abroad

Russian President Putin hunts fish underwater, wearing full diving gear as he plunges into the watery depths of the lake

While the president was away, he was being briefed by officials about the mining accident that trapped more than 130 diamond workers

Putin uses a snorkel and goggles to get through the waters as he tries to catch fish while taking a break with his defence minister

Putin swims through the country's rivers as he enjoyed his break in the southern Siberian area between August 1 and 3