Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to join intelligence even before finishing school.

Axar.az reports, citing TASS, Putin noted that, in his youth, this seemed as unattainable as a flight to Mars. He also wanted to become a sailor or pilot and planned to enroll in the Civil Aviation Academy in Leningrad.

"But then books and films like 'Shield and Sword' did their job," the president said.

According to Putin, he was fascinated by how one person could determine the fate of thousands.

In 1975, Vladimir Putin graduated from the Law Faculty of Leningrad State University and was assigned to work at the State Security Committee (KGB).

The film "Shield and Sword" was directed by Vladimir Basov in 1967, based on the novel of the same name by Vadim Kozhevnikov.