Russian President Vladimir Putin marked the Orthodox Epiphany by taking part in the traditional ice-water immersion ritual in the Moscow region. Stripped to his bathing trunks, Putin plunged into freezing waters overnight as part of the centuries-old religious observance, which is believed to purify the body, cleanse the soul, and strengthen faith. The ritual takes place every year on the night of January 18–19, commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ according to the Julian calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Kremlin says the Epiphany dip is a long-standing tradition for the Russian leader. Watch the moment as Putin braves the icy waters in a symbolic display of faith and tradition. #putin #epiphany ----- Diplomacy Decoder keeps you on the frontlines of international affairs. We unravel the intricacies of global politics, power players, secret deals & their implications on the common man. We break down the moves and motives of world leaders, rogue states, and rising powers as they engage in a shadow war for influence. We put the headlines under the microscope & analyse all angles of global crises & shifting balance of power.