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Boris Yeltsin Dies of Heart Failure at 76
Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, 76, has died of heart failure.
Yeltsin was the first freely elected President after the fall of the Soviet Union. He suffered many health problems throughout his life and it was often a concern that he would die in office. He resigned from office in 1999, naming Putin as his successor.
"He created a new kind of power," said Vladislav Starkov, editor of the weekly newspaper Argumenty i Fakty. "He created a new economic situation. A new psychological situation. A new international policy. A new Russian mentality. Of course, there were many mistakes, stupidities. But today we live with and take for granted absolutely new political ideas and institutions . . . This is Yeltsin's legacy."
Former Russian Leader Boris Yeltsin, 76, Dies
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Boris Yeltsin was undoubtedly a remarkable Russian Leader after the fall of Soviet Union. He had many visions and dreams for Russia but he could not do anything thanks to health problems that forced him to hand over charge of Russia to his hand-picked man Putin. May his soul rest in peace.