Putin inaugurated for record fifth term, prolonging his more than two decades in power
                        
                                                    
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                    Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.                                 
                            
                        
                        
                                                    
                        
                        
    
    
        
            
            
        
        
    
                        
                            Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.