Vladimir Putin plays ice hockey game in Russia's Sochi

Vladimir Putin often seeks to portray himself as the action man of Russia pictured doing stereotypically masculine activities, often topless.

From topless fishing to topless horse-riding to topless hunting in the wild, the Russian president likes to emphasise he is a strong man who Gets Things Done.

He is also often pictured enjoying a game of ice hockey and Tuesday night was like many others, Mr Putin showing his ability to shoot a puck during a gala match.

But this time, Mr Putin proved he is just as human as we are and prone to a fall on ice, which is what happened during an amateur Night Hockey League game in Sochi.

The former Russian prime minister played on the Night Hockey League Stars team against amateur hockey players in the Bolshoi Arena, TASS reported, built for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in the city.

Mr Putin's team included veteran hockey players, many who are now board members of the league, against an amateur team who qualified during a Sochi festival in the Amateur 40+ division, TASS reported. Sergei Shoigu, Russian defence minister, was also on Mr Putin's team.

It was his fourth game since May 2012 - the date of his first game - with the league that began in 2011. It was reported that the first period ended 3-0 in favour of the president's team.

Mr Putin with the trophy after beating the team of amateur ice hockey players Credit: Mikhail Klimentyev/AP

Earlier in the day, Mr Putin said Russia's new weapons have proven their worth in Syria, helping turn the tide of the civil war which has killed hundreds of thousands and left millions forced to flee the country.

Speaking at a meeting with military officials, Mr Putin said that Russian warplanes have flown more than 10,000 combat missions since the air campaign began on September 30. He said they struck more than 30,000 targets, including 200 oil facilities, allowing the Syrian military to drive militants from 500 towns and villages.

Russia has for the first time tested in combat its new air and sea-launched cruise missiles to hit targets in Syria.

"The efficiency and high quality of Russian weapons have been clearly shown in Syria," Mr Putin said. "The strikes from the air and from the sea on Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groups have been precise and powerful.

"They have allowed us to achieve a turning point in the fight against the militants, although we realise that the situation there is difficult and there is still a lot for the Syrian army to do."