At an official ceremony in Moscow, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Valery Zorkin, presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with the symbols of presidential power, including the presidential sign - a golden St. George's cross with an image of the coat of arms of the Russian Federation and the motto "Benefit, honor and glory" on a gold chain, writes Reuters and BTA.
The inauguration ceremony was not honored by the representatives of the US and many European countries because of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
This is Putin's fifth term as president, TASS reminds. His first two terms lasted four years each, and after voted amendments to the constitution of Russia, they became six years.
Putin began his first six-year term in 2012, and his second in 2018.
After new changes to the constitution in 2020, he was able to run for this year's elections, which he won with a record score of 87.28% of the vote.
Some Western governments said his re-election was tainted because voters had no real alternative. This accusation was rejected by Moscow, which claims that Putin enjoys the overwhelming support of the Russian people.
The mandate that started today will end on May 7, 2030