‘Go shirtless like Putin’: Durov sparks topless torso Insta flash mob
The president marauding shirtless around the Siberian taiga like he owns the place (he basically does) has triggered a new trend online. The founder of Russia’s most popular social network VK - and messenger app Telegram - Pavel Durov recently posted a picture of himself on Instagram topless alongside the caption: “My Instagram had to seriously step up the game to keep up with the increased competition from Mr. Putin’s shirtless photos.”
Публикация от Pavel Durov (@durov) Авг 14 2017 в 12:52 PDT
“If you’re Russian, you have to join #PutinShirtlessChallenge (or face oblivion). Two rules from Putin – no photoshop, no pumping. Otherwise you’re not an alpha,” wrote Durov.
It’s hard to tell if Durov is slyly “pumping” in his photo, taken on the Indonesian island of Bali. He’s looking thoughtfully at something, trying to hold a natural pose. However, people have caught on and Durov’s topless Putin flash mob is now a thing.
Disclaimer: Scrolling down will expose you to a high concentration of bare chests, mostly very attractive and sexy bare chests. You have been warned!
Публикация от @vanya_grey Авг 14 2017 в 3:19 PDT
“Join #PutinShirtlessChallenge. Idea by @durov”
Публикация от Nikolay Ermakov (@ermak.n.s) Авг 14 2017 в 10:33 PDT
“Go hard like a president”
Публикация от Heavy Metal (@heavymetalsport) Авг 15 2017 в 1:54 PDT
“We are supporting it too. Be like a leader! Be a leader!”
Some users have failed to see the irony in Durov’s caption and now think he’s a supporter of the president. In fact, he’s not. In the past - when he was the CEO of VK - Durov refused to hand over user data to Russia’s security agencies and block the Ukrainian opposition community “Euromaidan” on the social media site. In 2014 he sold his stake in the company and resigned. Later he claimed VK had been taken over by Putin’s allies.
Публикация от Алексей (@alekseiandreevich92) Авг 15 2017 в 1:40 PDT
“Let’s support Volodya”
Публикация от Nick Jaff (@nickjaff) Май 11 2017 в 2:30 PDT
“Here's my tractor driver-alcoholic’s tan. ‘Putin has allowed’.”
It seems some people have simply used the flash mob as an excuse to post their naked photos.
Публикация от Nikita Ablov (@nikita_el_tigre) Авг 14 2017 в 8:01 PDT
“#PutinShirtlessChallenge by @durov it’s not just a photo, it’s a serious step into the great future”
Публикация от John Gray (@john_gray_100) Авг 14 2017 в 6:05 PDT
“Pavel Durov has launched a flash mob. If you’re a Russian - dare to challenge Putin. Not everyone will understand why it’s my business – I’m a citizen of Kazakhstan with a U.S. permanent resident card. Because I am for global peace.”