A magazine in central Russia has published a celebratory issue in honor of upcoming International Women's Day featuring a cover picture of President Vladimir Putin being licked by a bear.
The cover of the Most magazine, Russian for "Bridge," — which is published in Saratov and available as a PDF version online — has been released ahead of the March 8 holiday and shows a drawing of a brown-colored bear sticking out its tongue to lick a smiling Putin on his cheek.
It is accompanied by a caption that reads: "Happy March 8, girls!"
While the magazine offers no explanation on what Putin or the bear have to do with International Women's Day, Russian media have suggested that a flower depicted in the general proximity of the bear's ear shows the animal is female.
The magazine, billed as a publication "for young people in Saratov," also lists a selection of the issue's highlights on its cover, with headlines such as: " The ideal young woman — our survey," and "Saratov's best brides."
The magazine was launched recently by the youth faction of the ruling United Russia party, and is expected to be distributed free of charge around the city, local Versia news portal has reported.
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