Back in 2008, Dasha asked Vladimir Putin during the "Talk with Vladimir Putin" televised Q&A session to present her with a dress. Later, Vladimir Putin invited the girl to visit him in Moscow for tea. During their conversation at the table, Dasha and her family members told the prime minister about hardships faced by residents of the village of Tugnui. After the meeting, Putin ordered the construction of a cultural, educational and sports center in the village.

Today, Vladimir Putin visited Tugnui and met with the girl and her family, who treated the prime minister to tea and traditional Buryat cuisine.

Over tea, the prime minister and Dasha's family members spoke about the almost-completed new complex, which includes a school with a pre-school, a sports field, a recording studio, a library and a gymnasium. Interestingly, residents began returning to the village after the construction of the complex started, the family members said.

Dasha's mother, Natalya Varfolomeyeva, said the village is now a "lively place," though locals continue to face certain problems, such as a lack of financial means.

"There isn't enough money because nothing is being produced," Putin noted, adding that he spotted an abandoned farm upon arriving in the village. The prime minister suggested that the farm should be restored and promised his assistance.

After his meeting with the family, Vladimir Putin went to the new complex with Dasha, her sister, their mother and Buryat president Vyacheslav Nagovitsyn.

While on his way to the complex, Vladimir Putin stopped to speak with Tugnui locals, who were waiting for him. The prime minister was presented with a khata, a traditional long blue Buryat scarf, which he wore throughout his visit to the village.

The prime minister was also shown the village's newly constructed obstetrics center with its modern equipment, as well as schoolrooms and a gymnasium, where the prime minister looked at the sports equipment. "This is excellent; any city would envy this," Putin said.