Bust of Putin as Roman Emperor Unveiled Near St. Petersburg

A St. Petersburg Cossack group unveils a bust of President Vladimir Putin depicted as a Roman emperor, symbolizing what they see as his role as "leader for life."

Local Cossack leader Andrei Polyakov explains: "Probably Cossacks would want to have an emperor for life, who would give strength to the state, who would take care of Russia's destiny throughout his whole life, because presidents come and go, but an emperor as a symbol is probably what Russia needs."

In a small village outside of St. Petersburg, members of the local Cossack community gathered to honor their president. Many of these Cossacks say they want Vladimir Putin to be Russia's leader for life.

Cossacks used to serve the Russian tsars on the borders of their empire. In their modern form, they have become a staunchly conservative social force. Polyakov says the idea for the bust came about after Russia's takeover of the Crimean peninsula last year.