Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has held power for nearly 25 years, celebrated his 72nd birthday on Monday with public tributes from prominent Russian figures. The first notable birthday greeting came from ultra-nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin, known for his vision of a vast Russian empire that includes Ukraine, which has been at war with Russia since 2022. Dugin, whose daughter was killed in a suspected car bomb attack in 2022, praised Putin as a leader of national significance.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia's Chechen Republic and a loyal supporter of Putin, also took to Telegram to congratulate the president, calling October 7 a "significant day for our entire Fatherland."

Putin's leadership, which has included the controversial decision to invade Ukraine, remains a focal point of global attention. While the Kremlin frames the war as a necessary defense against Western encroachment, critics—including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy—have condemned the conflict as an illegitimate, imperialist land grab. The war, now in its second year, has caused widespread devastation in Ukraine, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties and millions displaced from their homes.

Putin's latest election victory, achieved in March, extended his rule and positioned him to become Russia's longest-serving leader in over two centuries if he completes his new six-year term. While Moscow lauds Putin’s defiance against the West, many in the international community view him as an autocrat and accuse him of intensifying geopolitical tensions.

As Putin enters another year of leadership, the divide between Russia and the West appears to deepen, with the war in Ukraine continuing to shape both his legacy and Russia's future.