Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician serving as the President of the Russian Federation since 1999, with intervals. Born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), he worked in the Soviet Union's KGB before his political career. In 1999, he was appointed Prime Minister of Russia and later became Acting President following Boris Yeltsin's resignation. Elected President in 2000 and re-elected in 2004, he served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2012, then was re-elected President in 2012, 2018, and 2024. Putin is known for his authoritarian policies, suppression of opposition, and restrictions on free speech. Under his leadership, Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, leading to international sanctions. In 2022, he initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, resulting in a widespread armed conflict and further isolation of Russia on the international stage.