Women form 'Putin's Army' online

MOSCOW, July 19 (UPI) -- More than 880 women on a Russian social networking site have formed "Putin's Army," a group promoting Prime Minister Vladimir Putin for president.

The group members on the Vkontakte social networking site, who are promoting Putin for president in 2012, said they aim to prove "many, including beautiful, young and smart girls" are ready to "rip 'em up for Putin," the RIA Novosti news agency reported Tuesday.

"We are united in our view of Putin as a worthy and fair politician and a gorgeous man," the women said on their group page.

The group's page features a risque video depicting a blonde woman who declares her admiration for the prime minister before ripping off her shirt and encouraging other women to "rip off something, or someone" for Putin.

Putin, who served as president from 2000 to 2008, and current President Dmitry Medvedev said one of them, but not both, will seek the presidency in 2012.