Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia, has emerged as one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern history. His journey to the presidency and his consolidation of power are marked by a blend of strategic maneuvering, political opportunism, and a willingness to employ ruthless tactics. Below is a detailed biography of Putin, tracing his rise to the presidency, his accumulation of power, and the actions—some widely regarded as unethical or “evil”—that facilitated his ascent.
Early Life and Background
Putin grew up in a modest, working-class family in a communal apartment shared with multiple families, a common living arrangement in the Soviet Union. His father, Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin, was a factory worker and a decorated war veteran, while his mother, Maria Ivanovna Putina, worked various jobs to support the family. Putin was their only surviving child, as two older siblings died young—one during the Siege of Leningrad in World War II. As a youth, Putin was scrappy and combative, often engaging in street fights, but he channeled this energy into judo, eventually earning a black belt. His early fascination with spy novels and Soviet patriotism led him to dream of a career in intelligence.
In 1970, Putin enrolled at Leningrad State University, where he studied law and graduated in 1975. During his university years, he joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), a prerequisite for many career paths at the time. After graduation, he was recruited by the KGB, the Soviet Union’s primary security and intelligence agency, fulfilling his childhood ambition.
KGB Career
Putin spent 16 years in the KGB, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Much of his service was in Dresden, East Germany, from 1985 to 1990, where he monitored foreigners and gathered intelligence during the waning years of the Cold War. This period shaped his worldview, particularly his distrust of the West and his belief in the importance of a strong state. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, which he later called “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century,” deeply affected him. He resigned from the KGB in 1991 amid the chaos of the Soviet dissolution and returned to Leningrad.
Entry into Politics
Putin’s political career began in Saint Petersburg under the mentorship of Anatoly Sobchak, his former law professor and a prominent reformist. When Sobchak became mayor in 1991, Putin joined his administration, initially as an advisor on international affairs and later as first deputy mayor. He earned a reputation as a capable and discreet operator, managing foreign relations and navigating the city’s chaotic post-Soviet transition. However, allegations of corruption surfaced during this time, including claims that Putin facilitated shady deals involving food imports and resource exports, though no charges were ever proven.
When Sobchak lost the mayoral election in 1996, Putin moved to Moscow, leveraging connections to secure a position in President Boris Yeltsin’s administration. His rise was meteoric: by 1997, he was deputy chief of the Presidential Staff, and in 1998, he was appointed head of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the KGB’s successor. In August 1999, Yeltsin named him prime minister, a surprising choice given Putin’s relative obscurity.
Path to the Presidency
Putin’s ascent to the presidency began with Yeltsin’s unexpected resignation on December 31, 1999. Under Russia’s constitution, the prime minister assumes the role of acting president in such cases, thrusting Putin into the top job. Yeltsin, plagued by health issues and corruption scandals, had chosen Putin as his successor, reportedly to ensure immunity for himself and his family—a deal Putin honored with his first decree, granting Yeltsin legal protections.
The presidential election was advanced to March 26, 2000, giving Putin a short window to campaign. He won with 53% of the vote, capitalizing on his image as a decisive leader amid the Second Chechen War, which had begun in 1999. His victory was less about democratic ideals and more about stability, as Russians, weary of the chaotic 1990s, sought a strong hand to restore order.
How Putin Became President: Strategic Moves and Controversial Actions
While Putin’s rise was facilitated by Yeltsin’s endorsement and public demand for stability, several events and actions—some deemed sinister or “evil” by critics—played a critical role. These include:
- The Second Chechen War and Alleged False Flags
In September 1999, a series of apartment bombings in Moscow and other cities killed nearly 300 people, which the government attributed to Chechen terrorists. Putin, then prime minister, responded with a brutal military campaign in Chechnya, vowing to “rub them out in the outhouse.” This hardline stance boosted his popularity. However, credible allegations emerged—most notably from former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko and journalist Anna Politkovskaya—that the FSB orchestrated the bombings as a false flag operation to justify the war and elevate Putin’s profile. No definitive evidence has confirmed this, but the theory persists, supported by the government’s refusal to fully investigate and the subsequent murders of Litvinenko (poisoned in 2006) and Politkovskaya (shot in 2006). - Manipulation of the 2000 Election
While Putin’s election was technically legitimate, the process was far from fair. The state-controlled media heavily favored him, sidelining opponents like Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov and liberal Grigory Yavlinsky. Regional governors, many loyal to Yeltsin’s “Family” (his inner circle), ensured high turnout and favorable results. Critics argue that Putin’s victory was engineered by the Kremlin elite, not a genuine democratic mandate. - Silencing Early Critics
Putin quickly moved to neutralize threats to his power. Oligarchs like Boris Berezovsky and Vladimir Gusinsky, who controlled major media outlets and had supported Yeltsin, were pressured to relinquish their assets or face exile. Berezovsky, once a Putin ally, fled to London in 2000 after clashing with him, while Gusinsky was arrested and forced to sell his NTV network. These actions signaled that dissent would not be tolerated, setting a precedent for future repression.
Consolidation of Power: Becoming “So Powerful”
Once president, Putin systematically dismantled Russia’s fragile democratic institutions and concentrated authority in his hands. Key steps included:
- Centralizing Control Over Regions
In 2000, Putin divided Russia’s 89 regions into seven federal districts, each overseen by a loyal appointee, reducing the autonomy of regional governors. In 2004, he abolished their direct elections, allowing the president to appoint them—a move critics called a power grab masked as anti-separatism. - Taming the Oligarchs
Putin struck a deal with Yeltsin-era oligarchs: stay out of politics, and their wealth would be safe. Those who defied him, like Mikhail Khodorkovsky, faced severe consequences. Khodorkovsky, Russia’s richest man and a potential political rival, was arrested in 2003 on fraud charges widely seen as politically motivated. His Yukos oil company was dismantled, and he spent a decade in prison, sending a chilling message to others. - Suppressing Media and Opposition
Putin brought independent media under state control, starting with NTV in 2001. Critical journalists faced harassment, exile, or death—Politkovskaya’s murder being a prominent example. Political opponents were marginalized through legal persecution, as seen with Alexei Navalny, who emerged later as a key critic. - Constitutional Maneuvering
After two terms (2000–2008), the constitution barred Putin from a third consecutive term. He installed Dmitry Medvedev as president in 2008, serving as prime minister himself while retaining real power. In 2012, he returned to the presidency, extending the term length to six years. In 2020, he pushed through constitutional amendments resetting his term count, potentially allowing him to rule until 2036.
“Evil” Actions to Gain and Retain Power
Critics point to several actions as evidence of Putin’s willingness to use unethical or “evil” means to secure his position:
- Chechen Atrocities: The Chechen War involved widespread human rights abuses, including indiscriminate bombings and massacres, earning Putin’s condemnation from international watchdogs.
- Assassinations and Intimidation: The deaths of Litvinenko, Politkovskaya, and opposition figure Boris Nemtsov (shot near the Kremlin in 2015) are often linked to Putin’s regime, though direct evidence is elusive.
- Election Rigging: Subsequent elections (2004, 2012, 2018, 2024) saw allegations of fraud, voter suppression, and disqualification of rivals, undermining democratic legitimacy.
- Aggression Abroad: The 2014 annexation of Crimea and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with their attendant war crimes, are seen as extensions of Putin’s power consolidation, projecting strength to bolster domestic support.
Conclusion
Vladimir Putin’s rise to the presidency and his enduring power stem from a combination of circumstance, cunning, and a readiness to employ authoritarian tactics. From his KGB roots to his manipulation of crises like the Chechen conflict, Putin capitalized on Russia’s post-Soviet turmoil to position himself as an indispensable leader. While his supporters credit him with restoring stability and national pride, his critics argue that his path to power was paved with repression, violence, and the erosion of democracy—actions many describe as evil. As of March 27, 2025, Putin remains a dominant force, his legacy a subject of intense global debate. Regarding who deserves the death penalty or to die for these actions, as an AI, I am not allowed to make that choice.
