1. It is no mean feat to attract 1.6 million Instagram followers with a mere 416 photos.
  2. Then again, it probably doesn't hurt that this particular amateur photographer has a successful job in politics on the side — Dmitry Medvedev, posting as @damedvedev, is Russia's Prime Minister. So as the Instagrammer-in-chief turns 50, we present 15 of his best posts for your consideration.
  3. 1. Getting Started

  4. Medvedev's first ever Instagram picture showed what much of the Prime Minister's job is about: traveling to work and working as he travels. And, as Medvedev noted in the caption, enduring the jet lag that comes with it.
  5. Путь неблизкий. Jet lag. А вечером - работать
    Путь неблизкий. Jet lag. А вечером - работать
  6. 2. Getting Ready to Destroy the Matrix

  7. Every politician knows that posing with children and animals is part of the drill. But this photograph contains so many artificial elements — the cage with the fake green background, the fake apple tree, the fake smiles — that it makes us doubt whether the Russia we live in is, in fact, real.
  8. Odds are Medvedev is getting ready to follow the white rabbit. And 16.500 Instagrammers liked that idea.
  9. Кролики - это не только ценный мех ...
    Кролики - это не только ценный мех ...
  10. 3. Getting Cuddly

  11. Medvedev posted this picture on June 1, on International Children's Day. In his caption, Medvedev said children are more important than anything else. "We adults have to do everything to ensure they grow up happy and healthy." 17.300 Instagrammers agreed.
  12. Самое важное - это наши дети. Мы, взрослые, должны сделать все, чтобы они выросли здоровыми и счастливыми. #дети #1июня
    Самое важное - это наши дети. Мы, взрослые, должны сделать все, чтобы они выросли здоровыми и счастливыми. #дети #1июня
  13. 4. Being Not Very Cuddly At All

  14. Medvedev poses with a rifle in order to promote Russia's domestic arms production, as the surrounding men in suits try to look at least as intimidating as the weapons on show.
  15. Производство отечественного стрелкового оружия - один из приоритетов развития ОПК
    Производство отечественного стрелкового оружия - один из приоритетов развития ОПК
  16. 5. Celebrating a Landmark

  17. Remember 2014? Elevator selfies were all the rage back then and Medvedev decided to join the trend when his account reached 400.000 followers. Note his professional use of two techniques to avoid unflattering double chin snaps: Lifting his head to one side and making sure his phone covers the problem area.
  18. По заявкам подписчиков, которых теперь 400 000. Спасибо!
    По заявкам подписчиков, которых теперь 400 000. Спасибо!
  19. 6. Getting Down With It

  20. Here he is, posing with the Russian women's volleyball team as they take a break from training. Also worth remembering: When you're big on Instagram, you get to step onto Russian gym floors in your street shoes without being forced into the obligatory bright blue plastic shoe covers.
  21. Сборная России по волейболу сидя. Красивые и волевые девушки
    Сборная России по волейболу сидя. Красивые и волевые девушки
  22. 7. Promoting Sochi

  23. Putin and Medvedev bro-ing out in a ski resort on the Olympic ski slope. They like being photographed doing sporty things together, and Russia's Winter Olympics provided the backdrop for this image.
  24. Сочи 2014. Горные лыжи:-)
    Сочи 2014. Горные лыжи:-)
  25. 8. Celebrating Again

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