For the first time during his long career in politics, Russian President Vladimir Putin had made a public confession about his personal life.
On Thursday night, June 6th, Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila made a public appearance on Esmeralda ballet at the State Kremlin Palace. The ballet is based on Victor Hugo's "Notre-Dame de Paris."
The news of Putin's public appearance in the company of his wife appeared on all Russian news agencies. The press service of the president distributed photos of the couple from the Kremlin Palace.
Russia 24 TV channel soon reported that Vladimir and Lyudmila Putin announced their divorce.
"It was our common decision. Our marriage is over with," the President said.
"I do not like publicity, - Lyudmila Putin said. - it just happened so that we all in our family lead our own lives, our children are grown-ups, we hardly see each other."
"As for our children, we are proud of them and we love them dearly," Vladimir Putin added.