Moscow/IBNS: President Vladimir Putin began his fifth term as Russia's leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration ceremony Tuesday.

With this, he will embark on another six years as leader of Russia after destroying his political opponents and concentrating all power in his hands.

At the ceremony in the Grand Kremlin Palace, Putin took oath placing his hand on the Russian Constitution and vowed to defend it as a crowd of hand-picked dignitaries looked on.

“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.

His new term comes amid a devastating war with neighbouring Ukraine that had grabbed headlines for months.

Since succeeding President Boris Yeltsin in 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 which has become Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II, Russia has been heavily sanctioned by the West and is turning to China, Iran and North Korea for support.