Vladimir Putin (1952 – ) Russian leader

 Vladimir Putin of Biography

Vladimir Putin, the current President of the Russian Federation, was born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) on October 7, 1952. He grew up in a communal apartment and his father was a factory foreman. Putin graduated from Leningrad State University in 1975 and joined the KGB, the Soviet Union's security agency.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Putin entered politics and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1999, he was appointed Prime Minister of Russia by then President Boris Yeltsin, and when Yeltsin resigned on December 31 of that year, Putin became acting President. He was then elected to the presidency in his own right in 2000, and has since been reelected three times.

During his time in office, Putin has overseen a period of stability and economic growth in Russia, but has also been criticized for his approach to dissent and the suppression of political opposition. He has been accused of widespread corruption and human rights abuses, and his government has been accused of interference in the affairs of other countries, including the United States.

Despite these criticisms, Putin remains a popular and powerful figure in Russia, and his government has been credited with restoring Russia's status as a major global power. He has pursued a foreign policy that seeks to defend Russian interests and assert its influence on the world stage, including military interventions in Ukraine and Syria.

In recent years, Putin has also taken steps to secure his grip on power, including changes to the constitution that could allow him to remain in office until 2036. His rule has been marked by a tightening of state control over media and the Internet, and a crackdown on opposition figures and independent journalists.

As Putin approaches the end of his fourth term as President, the question of what his legacy from him will remain a subject of much debate. Some see him as a strong leader who has restored Russia's standing in the world, while others view him as a corrupt authoritarian who has dismantled democratic institutions and violated human rights.

Regardless of one's views on Putin, it is clear that he has had a profound impact on Russia and the world. His life and career will continue to be studied and analyzed for years to come, as we attempt to understand the man who has dominated Russian politics for more than two decades.