Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever

Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands. (Photo/Agencies)

At the ceremony inside the gilded Grand Kremlin Palace, Putin placed his hand on the Russian Constitution and vowed to defend it as a crowd of hand-picked dignitaries looked on. (Photo/Agencies)

"We are a united and great people and together we will overcome all obstacles, realize all our plans, together we will win," Putin said after being sworn in. (Photo/Agencies)

In a heavily choreographed performance, Putin was pictured in his office looking at his papers before walking along the Kremlin's long corridors, pausing at one point to look at a painting, on the way to his inauguration. (Photo/Agencies)

Since succeeding President Boris Yeltsin in the waning hours of 1999, Putin has transformed Russia from a country emerging from economic collapse to a pariah state that threatens global security. Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine that has become Europe's biggest conflict since World War II, Russia has been heavily sanctioned by the West and is turning to other regimes like China, Iran, and North Korea for support. (Photo/Agencies)

Already in office for nearly a quarter-century and the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Josef Stalin, Putin's new term doesn't expire until 2030, when he will be constitutionally eligible to run again. (Photo/Agencies)

The Russian leader was greeted with applause when he entered the hall with more than 2,500 people who, his spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, had been invited to the ceremony. They included senior members of the Russian government as well as celebrities including American actor Steven Seagal. (Photo/Agencies)

Putin indicated Tuesday that he would continue to silence critics. He told his audience in the Grand Kremlin Palace to remember the "tragic cost of internal turmoil and upheaval," and said that Russia "must be strong and absolutely resistant to any challenges and threats." (Photo/Agencies)

Putin enters his fifth term with practically no opposition to his rule inside the country. His greatest political foe, opposition leader Alexei Navalny, died in an Arctic penal colony in February. Other prominent critics have either been imprisoned or have fled the country, and even some of his opponents abroad fear for their security. (Photo/Agencies)