The current and long serving leader of Russia, Vladimir Putin, is undoubtedly a polarizing figure on the world stage and certainly unapologetic with his foreign policy objectives and use of force where he himself deems it necessary.
Many fingers point at him for the intimidation and even death of journalists and rival politicians, his support of authoritarian leaders and his apparent meddling and undermining of Western democracy.
This former KGB agent has been an astute political player who has successfully climbed the ladder of Russian politics and whose resume taps into Cold War fears that still bubble under the surface of American society to this day.
Here we take a look at what made the most powerful man in Russia one of the most polarizing and secretive, yet enigmatic leaders to rise to the forefront of today’s global political landscape.
Born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) on October 7, 1952, in the early years of the post war geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States, he lived in a communal apartment along with three other families.
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin was the youngest of three children, his mother Maria Ivanovna Putina was a former factory worker but stayed at home while his father was a conscript in the Soviet Navy before also becoming a factory worker. Sadly, soon after his birth both his brothers would die leaving Putin as essentially an only child.