Mr Putin was met with the glam squad dressed in cream suede coats and white fluffy ushanka hats with a Soviet Union flag on the front as he marked the 75th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Stalingrad.

He lauded the Red Army’s victory during World War II as an excellent example of Russia’s resilience amid adversity.

The battle is known as the single largest and bloodiest battles in history and is glorified by Russia as the event that saved Europe from Adolf Hitler.

Nearly two million people were killed, wounded or captured the 200-day long battle that ended on February 2, 1943 after Nazi forces surrendered.

It had been an extremely costly defeat for German forces, who had to withdraw vast military forces from the West to replace their losses.

On the day, Putin laid a wreath in the Hall of Military Glory of the Mamayev Kurgan memorial complex.

Speaking at the service he said: “Such degree of resistance, self-sacrifice and spiritual power were invincible, incomprehensible and terrifying for the enemy.”

Putin hailed the Stalingrad victory as a reflection of the “courage of our soldiers and the talent of their commanders.”

He added: “The defenders of Stalingrad have left us a great heritage – love for the Motherland, the readiness to defend its interests and independence and to show resistance while facing any trials.”