Russian President Vladimir Putin treated himself to a victory lap for scuttling warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin’s insurrection by strolling through the coastal city of Derbent on Thursday and posing for selfies with a crowd of admirers.
The New York Post translated a few choice encounters with swooning fans during Putin’s “bizarre public walkabout”:
“We are happy to see you!” one woman exclaims above deafening cheers as Putin shakes hands with a raucous group of very enthusiastic well-wishers gathered next to a fountain.
He is seen in the recording petting and kissing the heads of two girls, one of whom then wraps her arm around the president’s neck and pleads with him: “Please, I’m begging you, can I take a picture with you?”
The girl urges her mom standing nearby to snap the photo, and then appears to squeal in delight.
Another supporter is heard wishing the 70-year-old Kremlin strongman “good health…