Putin on Vacation in Russia's Siberian Republic of Altai

Russian President Vladimir Putin is on a vacation in Altai Republic in western Siberia, FlashSiberia reported, citing a source in the regional government.

According to the source, the Russian leader is "enjoying the fresh air of the Altai."

Putin may be at his country house in Ongudaisky region of the republic.

Earlier, Chairman of the Committee on Information Policy of the Altai Republic Vladimir Torbokov said that the president has arrived in the Altai Republic for an unofficial visit.

"He is going to rest, how he often does," the official told news portal Sibinfo.

Putin, Prime Minister Medvedev and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu spent a short vacation in the nearby Republic of Khakassia in 2013. While fishing with Shoigu, Putin hooked a 21-kg jack-fish.

The Russian president is widely known as a person who loves nature and animals. Since he had become Russia's president in 2000, Putin has made major efforts to protect Russia's wildlife.

Torbokov added that the Russian head of state is going to have a tea-party with head of the Altai Republic Alexander Berdnikov.

On Friday, Putin visited Khakassia, where he checked the progress of reconstruction works after a massive forest fire, which had killed 32 people and destroyed 1.3 thousand of residential buildings in spring.