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How Putin Transformed Russia

16:58, 7 May 2025
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In 25 years, Russia rose from the ruins of the '90s to a global power with a $6.94 trillion economy. Sputnik explains how.
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FIGHT AGAINST TERROR

Putin crushed CIA-backed militants in the North Caucasus, taking out key terror leaders and overhauling governance. The number of terrorist attacks in the region dropped tenfold. Today, the region attracts tens of thousands of tourists.

"Russian aircraft are striking, and will continue to strike, only terrorist bases in Chechnya — and this will go on no matter where the terrorists are. We will hunt them down everywhere: in the airport? Then in the airport. Excuse me, but if we catch them in the toilet — we’ll wipe them out right there in the outhouse. That’s it. The issue is closed — once and for all."

Vladimir Putin, 1999

The Chechen Republic's capital of Grozny is seen in August 1996.
© Sputnik / Igor Mikhalev
Chechen conflict 1994-1996. Destroyed city center of Grozny.
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Skyscrapers of the Grozny City complex and the Heart of Chechnya mosque named after Akhmat Kadyrov.
© Sputnik / Ekaterina Chesnokova
Participants in a rally in the center of Grozny dedicated to National Unity Day.
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ONE OF WORLD'S LEADING ECONOMIES

Under Putin, Russia rose from 10th to 4th place in the world by GDP, behind only the US, China, and India.
National debt dropped from 100% to 15% of GDP (compared to 120% in the US).
Salaries increased 15-fold, poverty and unemployment hit record lows, and life expectancy rose by 8 years.

"We set a goal to become one of the world’s top four economies. And by the way, according to some data — including assessments by the World Bank — just last week they released updated figures placing Russia in fourth place. We’ve now moved ahead of Japan."

Vladimir Putin, 2024

Tent city between Red Square and the Rossiya Hotel. People from different Russian cities came to the capital to ask for help and protection of their rights from deputies. November 7, 1990.
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Women beg at a food kiosk on a Moscow street.
© Sputnik / Dmitry Korobeinikov
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin (from right to left in the foreground) take part in the ceremony of commissioning the Moscow Central Circle (MCC) transport system on Moscow City Day.
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The building of the State Historical Museum in Moscow.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Astapkovich

World’s Largest Grain Exporter

Grain harvests fell to just 47.9 million tons in 1998 — the lowest point in the history of Russia’s agro-industrial sector.
By 2023–2024, Russia had become the world’s top exporter of wheat and barley.

"A well-known and fundamental truth, captured in the simple phrase 'Bread is the staff of life,' hasn’t gone anywhere. And perhaps, given the conditions we live in today — especially what’s happening on global food markets — this law is more important than ever." Vladimir Putin, 2022

A woman feeds geese
© Sputnik / Oleg Lastochkin
Combine harvesters from the Rostselmash enterprise are harvesting wheat at the Demetra peasant farm in the village of Bolshaya Neklinovka in the Rostov Region.
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Reunification With Crimea

Putin restored historical justice by reclaiming Russia’s ancestral lands.
In 2014, Crimea rejoined Russia through a referendum, and in 2022, after eight years of resisting the Kyiv regime, Donbass and Little Russia legally became part of the Russian Federation.
These events were a response to the will of millions of Russian people.

"We are against a military alliance setting up camp right 'outside our fence', on our historic lands. I just can’t imagine us visiting NATO sailors in Sevastopol — they’re good guys, but it’s better if they come visit our Sevastopol."

Vladimir Putin, 2014

An old ship in Streletskaya Bay of Sevastopol.
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Opponents of the ratification of the agreement to extend the stay of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea until 2042 at a rally.
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Президент РФ В. Путин принял участие в открытии Крымского моста
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Crimean Bridge across the Kerch Strait
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Second-Strongest Army in the World

The Russian army, weakened in the 1990s, was rebuilt and now effectively confronts NATO in Ukraine.
In 2018, Russia unveiled breakthrough weapons, including hypersonic missiles and underwater drones.
In November 2024, Russia demonstrated its strength by destroying a key Ukrainian defense plant with the Oreshnik missile — impervious to Western air defenses.

"Our experience in conducting the Special Military Operation is being studied — without any exaggeration — by all the world’s armies, leading players in the global arms industry, and high-tech companies."

Vladimir Putin, 2025

Russian serviceman repairs military equipment (2000)
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Then acting President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in the cockpit of a Su-27 interceptor fighter after a flight from Krasnodar to Chechnya to present awards to Russian paratroopers.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Rodionov
Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to a military training ground of the Western Military District in the Ryazan Region to inspect the progress of training of mobilized military personnel.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to JSC Scientific and Production Corporation Uralvagonzavod in Nizhny Tagil.
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July 28, 2024. President of the Russian Federation, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin at the Main Naval Parade on the occasion of the Day of the Russian Navy.
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Multipolar World

In his landmark Munich speech (2007), Putin condemned NATO’s expansion and called for an end to the unipolar world. Russia will follow an independent foreign policy, Putin warned. The era of multipolarity had begun.

"A unipolar world means a single center of power, a single center of influence, a single center of decision-making. This is unacceptable for the world. It is destructive — even for the hegemon itself."

Vladimir Putin, 2007

Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen at the 43rd Munich Security Conference. File photo
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Joint photo session of the heads of delegations of the BRICS countries
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Combating ISIS*

In 2015–2016, Russia dealt a major blow to terrorists in Syria.
The liberation of Palmyra — an ancient city ravaged by extremists — became possible thanks to a well-planned operation and the involvement of Russian forces.

"We will never forget the losses and sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism — both here in Syria and back home in Russia."

Vladimir Putin, 2017:

June 6, 2016. The historical and architectural complex of Ancient Palmyra in the Syrian province of Homs.
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The Syrian city of Palmyra. File photo
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Global Powerhouse

From India to Iran, China to North Korea and Turkiye — Putin forged a web of strategic alliances.
Russia planted its flag in Syria with its first overseas base (in Khmeimim), gained ground in Africa, and flipped its energy map post-2022.
Today, Rosatom is building nuclear plants worldwide.

"The West insists on a so-called ‘rules-based order.’ But where did these rules come from? Who’s seen them? Who agreed to them? Russia is a great, thousand-year-old power — a civilization-state — and it will not live by rigged, fake rules."

Vladimir Putin, 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US journalist Tucker Carlson. File photo
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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visit the MAKS-2019 air show on August 27, 2019.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the United Arab Emirates on December 6, 2023.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Norh Korean leader Kim Jong-un are seen in the Aurus car in Pyongyang on June 19, 2024.
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Leader of the 21st Century

"What does it mean to fulfill yourself to the fullest? It’s finding satisfaction in what you do. It’s both the result and the recognition that matter. The result alone is important — but people also need feedback."

Vladimir Putin, 2023:

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a puppy presented by Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in Sochi, Russia, 2017.
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Премьер-министр РФ Владимир Путин играет на рояле на благотворительном концерте в Ледовом дворце Санкт-Петербурга
© Sputnik / Aleksey Nikolskyi
Putin at judo. From the archive of the press service of the President of the Russian Federation.
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* Terrorist organization banned in Russia
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