VLADIMIR Putin uses “street language” while threatening enemies to project a “gangster” persona, an expert has claimed.

On Wednesday, the Russian strongman President, who is renowned for using swear words, called poisoned former KGB spy Sergei Skripal a “scumbag” and a “traitor”.

10 Vladimir Putin uses 'street lingo' to reinforce his 'gangster' persona, an expert has told The Sun Online Credit: AFP - Getty

Putin also once advised a journalist to have his penis cut off while previously vowing to kill Chechen terrorists “in the sh*t house.”

Speaking with The Sun Online, James Rogers, an expert in European geopolitics and Baltic security, claims Putin uses this language to project a “gangster” image.

He said: “When he responds often in Russian he has this kind of street garble - the kind of language of the street.

“It's almost like a kind of cavalier attitude

10 The Russian strongman called Sergei Skripal a 'scumbag' and a 'traitor' earlier this week Credit: AFP

10 The former KGB spy often poses shirtless to try and cultivate a tough guy persona, it has been claimed Credit: AFP - Getty

Action man Vladimir Putin cuddles a leopard and poses topless in his latest calendar

“He often swears and uses cursing words - so it's a kind of projection of a persona."

The academic also highlights pictures of Vlad posing topless holding big guns as another example of the leader trying to cultivate a tough guy image.

He added: “It’s like a gangster regime. Putin constructs himself as a strongman - think of all the bare chested photos.

“It’s all part of the same projection. It’s designed to be cavalier, uncaring and robust."

Rogers, a founding member of think tank the Henry Jackson Society, also branded the former KGB thug’s government “ugly and deranged”.

10 Sergei and Yulia Skripal were both poisoned by Novichok in March this year Credit: Enterprise News and Pictures

10 Putin's regime has brazenly denied any involvement in the assassination attempt in Salisbury Credit: EPA

He added: “His regime is so wild and unruly.

“Putin’s government doesn't seem particularly bothered about what it does whether it's the invasion of other countries or the lies and the misinformation that it spreads through out the world.”

Michele Berdy, a Moscow language expert, told CNN that Putin’s speaks excellent Russian in a country where speaking properly is highly valued - meaning his use of curse words is “strategic.”

Putin constructs himself as a strongman - think of all the bare chested photos

She said: “That's why I've always thought that his slipping into this is very strategic.

"He decides when he wants to leave standard literary Russian and get into non-standard Russian."

The Russian leader also uses threatening body language when meeting rivals.

10 In July 2017, Vladimir Putin pointed his finger at President Trump which is the body language version of a weapon, claims Judi James

10 Trump and Putin pictured sitting down to talk in front of the world's press at the G20 summit last year Credit: Getty Images

10 Trump appears to clutch his arm in jest after another round of handshakes with the Kremlin boss Credit: Getty Images

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russia's Vladimir Putin at G20 summit

In July 2017, Putin drew the social equivalent of a "weapon" when he pointed his finger at a “dominant" Donald Trump at the G20 summit.

Body language expert Judi James analysed the historic first handshake between the US President and the Moscow hard man.

She said: “He (Putin) suffered an underarm-patting from Trump that made him look like the dominant leader, so much so that Putin responded with a pointed finger, which is the body language equivalent of drawing a weapon.”

PUTIN'S BEST PUT-DOWNS

Killing terrorists

In September 1999, a then-Prime Minister Putin responded to a series of terrorists bombings in Russia by Chechen rebels.

He said: “We're going to pursue the terrorists everywhere.

"That means, you'll excuse me, we'll catch them in the toilet, we'll wipe them out in the sh*t house, finally."

Threatening journalists

In 2002, former KGB spy Vlad issued a disturbing threat to a French journalist who asked a hostile question at a summit in Brussels.

Putin said: “Come to Moscow. We can offer you a circumcision.

“I will recommend a doctor to carry out the operation in such a way nothing else will ever grow there again."

10 Vlad often uses salty language while threatening his enemies Credit: Reuters

10 The Russian leader never turns down an opportunity to pose with big guns Credit: Getty - Contributor

Talking turkey

When asked about Turkey shooting down a Russian warplane in 2015 near the Syrian border, Putin suggested Ankara wanted to “lick the US in a certain place.”

He said: “If anyone in the Turkish leadership decided to lick the Americans in a certain place - I don't know if they acted correctly or not -- I don't know whether the Americans need that."

According to reports, the Kremlin strongman was using a Russian expression which means to lick someone’s bum.

Rubbing their noses in it

In 2008, when asked about his supposed wealth, he said: “That's such garbage. They picked it out of their noses and smeared it on their papers.”

Dirty talk

When asked about his sex life in 2006, Vlad said: "They've asked me when I began having sex.

I don't remember - I remember exactly when I did it the last time. I can define that right down to the minute."

Video of Russian President Vladimir Putin firing new Kalashnikov sniper rifle and 'picking off targets at a distance of 600m'

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