Moscow State University has produced notable leftist journalists (some so notable, they get shot). But some of their journalism students like Putin. Julia Ioffe reports, “Some may even like him so much that they get down to their uber-lacy, complex skivvies (natch) and stand in front of industrial-size fans for him.” Behold: the Happy Birthday to Putin pin-up calendar.

It features tasteful captions like “They’ve put out the fires, but I’m still burning.” Funding is likely tied to well-funded, pro-Kremlin youth groups. Putin can consider it a thank you on behalf of the well-connected “patriots” with lots of pretty, coercible lady friends.