The media office of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is facing pressure to issue an explanation over the hiring of a former model as his personal photographer.
The 25-year-old’s appointment is being questioned on grounds of her experience in the field of photography, considering that she was a former ‘Miss Moscow’ contestant.
However, Dmitry Peskov, Putin's press secretary defended the hiring, saying the selection was based entirely on professional merit.
He explained that the Prime Minister's press office had been looking for a new photographer because the others were too busy covering events attended by his deputies.
“We don't select photographers based on gender. She's a really good photographer. Her modeling past doesn''t concern us at all. It''s not a crime,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him as saying.
It is told that Lapikova will work alongside two professional photographers who document Putin's regular meet-and-greets, government meetings and occasional encounters with endangered predators.