Vladimir Putin sworn in for fifth term as Russian president

Vladimir Putin, Russia's long-serving leader, has begun his fifth term as president. He took the oath of office with his hand on a red-bound copy of the Russian Constitution, vowing to defend it. The inauguration ceremony was a carefully choreographed event, with Putin winning an overwhelming majority in the March election and facing no credible challenge to his rule. Putin's new term does not expire until 2030, which could see him remain in power for another decade or more. He has been in office since 1999, when he succeeded President Boris Yeltsin, and has transformed Russia from a country emerging from economic collapse to a pariah state. The inauguration was boycotted by several Western countries, including the US, Britain, and most European Union nations, due to concerns over the lack of democratic legitimacy in the election. Putin's foreign policy has been criticized for leaving tens of thousands of Russians dead, and he sought to claim a mandate for his approach during his inauguration speech.