VIDEO: Student corrects Putin during TV show
A combo image shows student Nikanor Tolstykh and Vladimir Putin.
A high school student Nikanor Tolstykh swiftly corrected historical information told by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was talking to a group of students of a school in the Far East city of Vladivostok on the first day of school.
During his televised address, Putin described the 1709 Battle of Poltova, which saw Peter the Great claim decisive victory against the Swedish Empire, as an event during the ‘Seven Years’ War.’
Requesting to correct the information, Tolstykh said the war was not the ‘Seven Years’ War’ but the ‘Great Northern War,’ which lasted from 1700 to 1721, according to Moscow Times.
The boy’s principal reportedly reprimanded him for insolence after he challenged Putin’s knowledge of military history.
Asked about the exchange the next day, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he categorically disagreed with the principal’s opinion that Tolstykh had shown insolence by correcting the president.
“We are convinced that no one would expel this child, especially such a talented and knowledgeable child,” he said.
“Why should this offend me? On the contrary, it can only please me; young guys know the history of the fatherland well, that's great,” Putin said.
