The highly rehearsed stunt saw crowds mass outside a stadium each holding pieces of paper ready for an aerial photograph like no other.

It was part of a three-day gathering titled “Labor Brought Victory” which brings together different student associations from around Russia.

Disappointed that Putin had turned down an invitation to attend the event, organisers thought of a more inventive way to catch their leader’s attention.

Dmitry, one of the participants, told local  media: “When it became clear that he wouldn't come, we decided to organise a creative flash mob in support of the president.”

Putin’s popularity rating is at almost 90 percent, a record high for a Russian leader.

E/S1