MOSCOW, October 18 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has set another historic record of 3 hours and 5 minutes during an annual televised question-and-answer session on Thursday.

During the televised address Putin answered a total of 72 questions from over 2.5 million submitted by Russians by telephone, Internet and mobile text messages.

The previous televised marathon held in October 2006 lasted for 2 hours 53 minutes.

Speaking at the sixth and the last such event since coming to power in 2000, the president showed his command of a wide range of subjects - from social and economic to the major international issues.

The session was broadcast live on TV channels and radio stations, and some 67 cities took part.