From his humble beginnings as a KGB operative to his current status as one of the most influential political figures on the world stage, Vladimir Putin’s rise to power has been nothing short of remarkable.
This article provides a comprehensive timeline of Putin’s journey through the corridors of Russian politics, highlighting key milestones that have shaped his leadership and defined his legacy.
From his early days in the Soviet Union to his controversial annexation of Crimea and beyond, Putin’s tenure as Russia’s president has been marked by both praise and criticism, leaving an indelible imprint on the country’s history and its relations with the rest of the world.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1952 | Vladimir Putin is born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Soviet Union. |
| 1975 | Putin graduates from Leningrad State University with a degree in law. |
| 1975-1991 | Putin works as a KGB foreign intelligence officer, stationed primarily in East Germany. |
| 1991 | After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Putin enters politics in post-Soviet Russia. |
| 1996 | Putin starts working for the Mayor of St. Petersburg, Anatoly Sobchak, as Deputy Mayor. |
| 1999 | Putin is appointed as Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor agency to the KGB. |
| 1999 | He becomes Prime Minister of Russia under President Boris Yeltsin. |
| 1999 | Yeltsin resigns, and Putin becomes Acting President of Russia on December 31. |
| 2000 | Putin wins the presidential election with around 53% of the vote. |
| 2004 | Re-elected for a second term as president. |
| 2008 | Due to term limits, Putin cannot run for president again. He instead becomes Prime Minister under Dmitry Medvedev, who becomes president. |
| 2012 | Putin is elected president for the third time after a constitutional amendment extends the presidential term to six years. |
| 2014 | Putin oversees the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, leading to international condemnation and sanctions against Russia. |
| 2018 | He wins a fourth presidential term in an election marred by accusations of fraud and lack of genuine competition. |
| 2020 | Putin secures constitutional changes that allow him to potentially remain in power until 2036. |
Timeline of Putin’s Rise to Power
1952: Vladimir Putin is born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Soviet Union
Born on October 7, 1952, Putin grew up in a communal apartment shared by several families, experiencing the hardships of post-war Soviet life.
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His father, Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin, was a conscript in the Soviet Navy, and his mother, Maria Ivanovna Putina (née Shelomova), worked in a factory. Putin’s early years were marked by the aftermath of World War II and the rigidities of Soviet society.
1975: Putin graduates from Leningrad State University with a degree in law
After completing his secondary education, Putin enrolled at Leningrad State University (now Saint Petersburg State University), where he studied law.
It was during this time that he became involved in martial arts, particularly judo, which would become a lifelong passion for him.
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He graduated in 1975 and went on to join the KGB, the Soviet Union’s main security agency, starting his career in intelligence.
1975-1991: Putin works as a KGB foreign intelligence officer, stationed primarily in East Germany
Following his graduation from university, Putin joined the KGB and underwent training at the Andropov Red Banner Institute. He was then assigned to work as a KGB foreign intelligence officer, primarily stationed in Dresden, East Germany.
His responsibilities included monitoring foreigners and gathering intelligence. This period provided Putin with valuable experience in espionage and international affairs during the final years of the Cold War.
It also shaped his worldview and political outlook, exposing him to the workings of authoritarian regimes and the complexities of global power dynamics.
1991: After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Putin enters politics in post-Soviet Russia
The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to significant political, economic, and social upheaval in Russia. Amidst this transformative period, Vladimir Putin decided to transition from his career in the KGB to a new path in politics.
He initially took up a position in the St. Petersburg city government, working under Mayor Anatoly Sobchak, who played a key role in shaping Putin’s early political career.
Putin’s experience in the city administration provided him with valuable insights into governance and administration at the local level during a time of profound change in Russia’s political landscape.
1996: Putin starts working for the Mayor of St. Petersburg, Anatoly Sobchak, as Deputy Mayor
In 1996, Vladimir Putin was appointed as Deputy Mayor of St. Petersburg under Anatoly Sobchak, who had previously served as Putin’s professor at Leningrad State University.
Sobchak, a prominent figure in the democratic movement during the late Soviet period, played a crucial role in Putin’s political ascent.
As Deputy Mayor, Putin was tasked with overseeing various aspects of the city’s administration, gaining practical experience in urban governance and policy implementation.
His tenure in St. Petersburg helped him establish important connections within Russia’s political elite and furthered his ambitions in national politics.
1999: Putin is appointed as Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor agency to the KGB
In 1999, Putin was appointed as Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia’s principal security agency and the main successor to the KGB.
This appointment marked Putin’s return to the sphere of security and intelligence, albeit in a different capacity from his previous role as a foreign intelligence officer.
As head of the FSB, Putin focused on combating internal threats to Russia’s security, including terrorism, organized crime, and political dissent. His leadership at the FSB earned him a reputation for competence and efficiency, further enhancing his standing within Russia’s political establishment.
1999: He becomes Prime Minister of Russia under President Boris Yeltsin
Vladimir Putin’s rapid ascent within the Russian government continued in 1999 when President Boris Yeltsin appointed him Prime Minister of Russia. This appointment came at a tumultuous time in Russian politics, with the country grappling with economic turmoil, political instability, and widespread corruption.
Yeltsin, who was nearing the end of his presidency, saw Putin as a capable and loyal ally who could help stabilize the situation and advance his reform agenda. Putin’s appointment as Prime Minister marked his entry into the highest echelons of power in Russia and set the stage for his eventual succession to the presidency.
1999: Yeltsin resigns, and Putin becomes Acting President of Russia on December 31
In a surprise move on December 31, 1999, President Boris Yeltsin announced his resignation from office and appointed Vladimir Putin as Acting President of Russia.
Yeltsin’s decision to step down ahead of schedule caught many observers off guard and paved the way for Putin to assume the presidency earlier than expected.
As Acting President, Putin immediately began to assert his authority and outline his vision for Russia’s future, signaling a departure from the Yeltsin era and the beginning of a new chapter in Russian politics.
2000: Putin wins the presidential election with around 53% of the vote
In March 2000, Vladimir Putin won the Russian presidential election in a landslide victory, securing approximately 53% of the vote. The election result affirmed Putin’s popular appeal and solidified his position as the country’s new leader.
Putin campaigned on a platform of stability, economic reform, and national pride, promising to restore Russia’s status as a great power on the world stage. His victory in the presidential election signaled a new era of governance in Russia under his leadership.
2004: Re-elected for a second term as president
In 2004, Vladimir Putin was re-elected for a second term as president of Russia, winning another decisive victory in the presidential election. His re-election affirmed his strong mandate and widespread support among the Russian electorate.
During his second term, Putin continued to pursue his agenda of political centralization, economic modernization, and assertive foreign policy. However, his presidency also faced criticism from some quarters for perceived limitations on political freedoms and democratic institutions in Russia.
2008: Due to term limits, Putin cannot run for president again. He instead becomes Prime Minister under Dmitry Medvedev, who becomes president
In accordance with the Russian constitution, which limits presidents to two consecutive terms, Vladimir Putin was ineligible to run for a third consecutive term in the 2008 presidential election. Instead, he nominated Dmitry Medvedev, a close political ally, as the presidential candidate for the United Russia party.
Medvedev won the election and subsequently appointed Putin as Prime Minister of Russia. The arrangement was widely perceived as a means for Putin to maintain influence and control over the government while abiding by term limits.
2012: Putin is elected president for the third time after a constitutional amendment extends the presidential term to six years
In 2012, Vladimir Putin ran for the presidency again and won in a landslide victory, securing his third term as president of Russia. This election marked the beginning of Putin’s third presidential term, following his previous tenure as prime minister.
Notably, this term was extended to six years instead of four, following a constitutional amendment passed during Medvedev’s presidency. Putin’s re-election in 2012 affirmed his enduring popularity and dominance in Russian politics.
2014: Putin oversees the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, leading to international condemnation and sanctions against Russia
One of the defining moments of Putin’s presidency occurred in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea, a region historically part of Ukraine. Following a controversial referendum in Crimea, which was not recognized by much of the international community, Russia officially annexed the peninsula.
The move sparked a major international crisis, with condemnation from Western countries and the imposition of economic sanctions against Russia. The annexation of Crimea solidified Putin’s image as a strong and assertive leader but also intensified tensions between Russia and the West.
2018: He wins a fourth presidential term in an election marred by accusations of fraud and lack of genuine competition
In 2018, Vladimir Putin ran for a fourth term as president of Russia and secured a decisive victory in the presidential election. However, the election was marred by allegations of electoral fraud and irregularities, and many opposition figures were either barred from running or faced intimidation and harassment.
Critics argued that the election lacked genuine competition and was heavily tilted in Putin’s favor, raising concerns about the state of democracy and political freedom in Russia under his leadership.
2020: Putin secures constitutional changes that allow him to potentially remain in power until 2036
In a move widely viewed as consolidating his grip on power, Putin orchestrated constitutional amendments in 2020 that reset presidential term limits, effectively allowing him to seek two additional six-year terms in office.
The amendments, approved through a nationwide referendum, also granted Putin immunity from prosecution once he leaves office and enhanced the powers of the presidency. Critics denounced the changes as a further erosion of democratic norms and an institutionalization of Putin’s rule beyond his current term.