Vlad’s been Putin some time in down the gym! Russian leader is pictured with rippling biceps in new £40 calendar

The Russian despot is depicted on a new 2024 calendar’s cover with bulging veins in a black ‘Z’ T-shirt that has the national flag stitched onto the sleeve

The calendar, released by a support group for FSB veterans, also depicts Russian special forces, backed by drones and a helicopter, attacking the US Capitol building in Washington on the November page (left). For December, the Russian bear is depicted roaring and wearing a banner in the colours of the flag on which are the words: ‘It’s not important who is against you, it’s important who is with you’ (right)

There are lots of historical references in the calendar. For July a modern special forces soldier is depicted firing his gun while behind him a WWII soldier is seen firing a pistol while carrying the Soviet Union flag (left). For September, a modern Russian soldier is flanked by a medieval knight holding a sword and Tsar Peter the Great (right). 

The calendar also attempts to show Russian soldiers as protectors, with various illustrations depicting Putin’s men comforting women (left), children (right) and pets

The calendar also attempts to show Russian soldiers as protectors, with one illustration showing one of Putin’s men rescuing a cat (left) for the month June. Another image for August depicts a special forces soldier sitting on a windowsill and resting his hand on the head of a smiling Cheburashka, a popular character from a Russian children’s fairytale and Soviet film (right)

For May the calendar depicts a modern special forces soldier raising his assault rifle next to a wall on which graffiti has been written on the wall, which reads Tornado (left). Another image, for March, depicts a Russian soldier firing an artillery piece into the distance (right)

January depicts three Russian soldiers in all-round defence under their unit insignia (left), while October features a drawing of a modern armoured vehicle (right)