Putin's submarine seafaring in Crimea

A pedestrian passes a freshly painted mural of Vladimir Putin in Crimea. The portrait welcomed the Russian president on a state trip to the peninsula.

Vladimir Putin prepares for his descent into the waters of the Black Sea inside a mini-submarine. The expedition took the president to visit an 11th century shipwreck with Russian researchers.

The 'man of action' gazes confidently ahead as the submarine submerges underwater near Sevastopol, Crimea. The mini-submarine dove to a depth of more than 80 meters (262.5 feet) to inspect the vessel discovered in May.

Putin's nautical destination: a 30 meters (98 feet) long galleon dating back to the 11th century. Russian scientists believe it is the greatest Byzantine ship wreck ever discovered.

Putin emerges from a successful dive. He called the voyage "a good way to remember how much our historical roots are deep, as the history of our relations with the whole world."

Putin and his team have worked to cultivate a public image of the leader as a man of action. Orchestrated events such as driving a Formula 1 race car, hunting whales with a crossbow, flying a fighter jet and fishing a 21 kilogram (46 pounds) pike have been critical to their formula for success.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev joins Putin after his excursion. This isn’t Putin’s first foray into underwater tourism. He made a similar dive into Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest lake, in Siberia in 2009. It likely won't be his last.