Russian President Vladimir Putin flew to the Belarusian capital on Sunday to watch Team Russia beat Team Finland 5-2 in the final of the Ice Hockey World Championship at Minsk Arena.
The Russian leader’s plane landed at Minsk National Airport shortly before the 9 p.m. kick-off.
Mr. Putin was joined in the VIP seats by Aliaksandr Lukashenka and his nine-year-old son Kolya, and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, who arrived in Minsk two days before for talks with the Belarusian leader.
After the game Mr Putin visited the Russian team’s locker room, congratulating the players and the coaches on the victory and drinking champagne from the championship cup. The Russian president reportedly headed back for Moscow shortly afterward.
www.belsat.eu/en, via BelaPAN
