Pavel Durov, founder of the Russian Vkontakte website and Telegram messenger service, recently posted a shirtless photo of himself to social media and called on fellow Russians to follow suit – this in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent topless photos that were taken while on a fishing trip to Siberia.
![](https://americanmilitarynews.com/wp-content/uploads/./Screen-Shot-2017-08-15-at-1.17.31-PM.jpg)
(Twitter)
“My Instagram had to seriously step up the game to keep up with the increased competition from Mr. Putin’s shirtless photos,” Durov wrote. “If you’re Russian, you have to join #PutinShirtlessChallenge (or face oblivion).”
![](https://americanmilitarynews.com/wp-content/uploads/./Screen-Shot-2017-08-15-at-1.30.00-PM.jpg)
(Instagram)
There are only two rules, Durov wrote: “No photoshop, no pumping. Otherwise you’re not an alpha.”
Putin recently took a two-day trip to Siberia, and photos of the Russian president fishing and relaxing garnered a lot of attention – particularly the shirtless photos.
![](https://americanmilitarynews.com/wp-content/uploads/./Screen-Shot-2017-08-15-at-1.27.45-PM.jpg)
(Twitter)
With the “Putin Shirtless Challenge” issued, the Internet responded.
Russian politician Dmitry Gudkov posted a photo.
![](https://americanmilitarynews.com/wp-content/uploads/./Screen-Shot-2017-08-15-at-1.22.13-PM.jpg)
(Twitter)
Other Twitter users were not shy about their physiques.
![](https://americanmilitarynews.com/wp-content/uploads/./Screen-Shot-2017-08-15-at-1.27.19-PM.jpg)
(Twitter)
One Twitter user needed some shade.
![](https://americanmilitarynews.com/wp-content/uploads/./Screen-Shot-2017-08-15-at-1.22.49-PM.jpg)
(Twitter)
One even used props.
![](https://americanmilitarynews.com/wp-content/uploads/./Screen-Shot-2017-08-15-at-1.22.27-PM.jpg)
(Twitter)
One Twitter user was seemingly “on location.”
![](https://americanmilitarynews.com/wp-content/uploads/./Screen-Shot-2017-08-15-at-1.23.09-PM.jpg)
(Twitter)
And one Twitter user took it to the next level – in an aircraft.
![](https://americanmilitarynews.com/wp-content/uploads/./Screen-Shot-2017-08-15-at-1.27.31-PM.jpg)
(Twitter)
The photos are under the hash tag “Putin Shirtless Challenge” and can be seen on Instagram and Twitter.
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