Putin: Cheney criticism 'unsuccessful hunting shot'

Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out at U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney ahead of this weekend's G8 summit, calling his recent criticisms of Russia 'an unsuccessful hunting shot,' according to a television interview broadcast today.

Cheney, in a May speech in the ex-Soviet republic of Lithuania, accused Russia of cracking down on religious and political rights and of using its energy reserves as 'tools of intimidation or blackmail.'