Vladimir Putin's annual call-in marathon

Vladimir Putin's Q&A marathon in pictures

Russian President Vladimir Putin answers people's question during his 13th Q&A televised session

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On April 16 Russian President Vladimir Putin opened his annual televised question and answer session officially known as "The Direct Line with Vladimir Putin"

The Q&A session is being broadcast live by several Russian TV channels and radio stations

Live video linkups with a number of Russian regions was organised so that people could address the head of state directly

A special call centre began processing questions to the Russian president a week ago. Many questions were also sent by SMS or MMS messages and via a special mobile application

Prominent politicians and public figures gathered in a studio in downtown Moscow, where Putin answers questions pouring from all parts of the country. Photo: Russia's former finance minister, Civil Initiatives Committee chairman Alexei Kudrin

A total of 250 journalists, including 70 foreign reporters from the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France, China, Japan and Latin America, are covering Putin’s Q&A session

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that this year Russians were concerned about "the situation in Ukraine, sanctions and international relations." Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin at the annual Q&A session

Peskov said that Putin had received "many words of support," as well as demands "to take a tougher position on everything regarding the country's national interests." Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin at the annual Q&A session

In all, over two million questions have already been sent in and more will be asked before the marathon ends

The president's first session was held in 2001, lasting two-and-half hours. Since that time, his 12 appearances have totalled 36 hours

On April 16 Russian President Vladimir Putin opened his annual televised question and answer session officially known as "The Direct Line with Vladimir Putin". Questions are being asked by guests invited to the studio, residents of various Russian cities via live video linkups, SMS messages, Internet and telephone. A total of 250 journalists, including 70 foreign reporters from the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France, China, Japan and Latin America, are covering this event. Vladimir Putin's Q&A marathon - in photo gallery by TASS