Russian President
Vladimir Putin’s salary has been revealed after the
Kremlin published its annual list detailing the declared earnings of the country’s top officials, in a bid to increase transparency in the secretive nation.
The list was introduced by the Kremlin in a drive to improve accountability and trust of the Russian government, but critics have suggested it does not reflect the true wealth of Russia’s top officials, and does not outline any foreign properties owned.
According to the official list, Putin earned 18.7 million rubles, or £217,000 in 2017.
His declared properties also include an 828-square-feet apartment, but Agence France-Presse reported the list did not include a 16,145-square-feet plot of land which was listed the year before.
Commenting previously on his salary, Mr Putin said: “Honestly speaking, I don't even know what my salary is.
"They deliver it to me, I take it, put it my bank account and don't even count it.”
However unlike countries such as the United States, where the President’s salary has remained stagnant for 15 years, Putin’s salary has continued to rise.
In 2013 President Putin earned $115,000 (£80,955) for the year, but his annual salary rose dramatically in 2014 to $193,000 (£135,864).
Putin consciously lowered his salary by 10 per cent in 2015 due to a fluctuating ruble, earning $137,000 (£96,442), but his salary has since increased sharply once again.
Other assets owned by the Russian President include 230 shares in Bank Saint Petersburg and two Soviet-era sports cars - Volgas made in 1960 and 1965.
Many critics however believe Putin’s wealth far outstrips his declared earnings, with some analysts believing it may run into the billions.
Bill Browder, a former hedge fund manager in Russia, believes Mr Putin’s net worth to be around $200 billion (£141bn).
And a former Kremlin adviser, Stanislav Belkovsky, reported to the Guardian Mr Putin’s net worth was around $40billion (£28.1bn).
He noted the Russian President allegedly stores his fortune securely in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Mr Belkovsky also claimed the strongman has made vast sums of money through owning huge holdings in Russian oil and gas companies, which are hidden behind a “non-transparent network of offshore trusts”.
Boris Yeltsin was Russia’s first President to oblige Russian officials to declare their yearly earnings.
He first declared his own income in March 1998, and his total salary and property were valued at $325,054 (£228,825).