Boris Yeltsin

Vladimir Putin walks between two rows of people clapping their hands and taking photos with their cell phones

20 years of Putin in power: A timeline

Last year marked two decades of Vladimir Putin in power in Russia. Here are the events that have shaped — or been shaped — by the former KGB officer.

20 years of Putin in power: A timeline
The body of Boris Nemtsov moves through long lines of mourners in Moscow.

Lines snake through Moscow as thousands mourn Boris Nemtsov

Lines snake through Moscow as thousands mourn Boris Nemtsov
Russia's President Vladimir Putin makes his annual New Year address to the nation in Moscow December 31, 2014.

Five corrupt moves that helped make Putin the most powerful man in Russia

Five corrupt moves that helped make Putin the most powerful man in Russia
Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, drinks a shot of vodka while visiting a market as part of his party Duma election campaign in the southern Russian city of Stavropol.

How vodka became the beloved drink it is today in Russia

How vodka became the beloved drink it is today in Russia
Ukraine

Ukraine finds it hard to disentangle from its deep Russian ties

Ukraine finds it hard to disentangle from its deep Russian ties

What We Can Learn from the Soviet Withdrawal from Afghanistan

What We Can Learn from the Soviet Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Putin Swapping Mercedes for Russian-Made Zil Limousine

Russian President Vladimir Putin is trading in his current ride, a Mercedes Benz, for a Russian-made Zil limousine.

Putin Swapping Mercedes for Russian-Made Zil Limousine

As Afghan drawdown continues, question raised over country's future

U.S. forces are supposed to be out of combat roles in Afghanistan by 2015. As that date marches ever closer, some Afghans are wondering what the future holds for the country's security, and its economy.

As Afghan drawdown continues, question raised over country's future

Masha Gessen on Vladimir Putin, 'The Man Without a Face'

Masha Gessen on Vladimir Putin, 'The Man Without a Face'

Gorbachev, Yeltsin and the Demise of the USSR

There are many Russians who say a critical factor in the demise of the USSR was the power struggle that broke out between Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin.

Gorbachev, Yeltsin and the Demise of the USSR

A tale of two Russian anthems

Sergei Mikhalkov wrote the lyrics to the Soviet national anthem during World War II, but rewrote it decades later to better reflect the times.

A tale of two Russian anthems
The World

Russia feels the pinch

The global financial crisis has hit Russia's oil and gas industries, the backbone of the economy, and ordinary Russians are starting to feel the pain. The World's Laura Lynch reports from Moscow.

Russia feels the pinch
The World

Backstory of the Russian-Georgian conflict

Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with the BBC's Jenny Norton about some of the key moments in the recent history of relations among Russia, Georgia, and Georgia's breakaway provinces, all of which are involved in the current conflict in Georgia.

Backstory of the Russian-Georgian conflict

Backstory of Russian-Georgian conflict

The history, events and factors that led to the current conflict between Russia and Georgia.

Backstory of Russian-Georgian conflict

Interview with Russia's Top Environmental Advisor

Interview with Russia's Top Environmental Advisor