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Boris Yeltsin Dies at 76

By Greg Atwan, Newser User

Posted Apr 23, 2007 10:17 AM CDT

(Newser) – Boris Yeltsin, who orchestrated Russia's uneasy transition to democracy, died this morning, according to the Kremlin. He was 76. The cause hasn't been released, but Russia's first democratically elected leader had a history of heart problems. Yeltsin ascended to power after a struggle with reformer Mikhail Gorbachev, who finally ceded in November of 1991.

Two years later he ordered tanks to fire on parliament, where hardliners were holed up. Besides engineering the collapse of the USSR, Yeltsin will be remembered for the embryonic Russian Federation's most controversial move—its 1994 invasion of Chechnya—and the transfer of power to Vladimir Putin in 1999. Both decisions echo uncomfortably today.

Boris Yeltsin (Archive Photos)

Former Russian president Boris Yeltsin supports Russia (Getty Images)

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Russia • democracy • Boris Yeltsin • obituary • death • Mikhail Gorbachev • USSR • Chechnya

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Gorbachev: Russia Needs Real Democracy

Medvedev, Putin need to change process, ex-Soviet leader writes

Gorbachev Goes Easy on Putin, for Now

Ex-leader defends prez, even as Kremlin rolls back democracy

As Russia Erupts, Gorbachev Steps In

More rallies expected for today

Belarus Behind on Bills ... So Russia Cuts Its Power

Russia's power supply accounts for 10% of country's power

Jack Kevorkian Dead at 83

Assisted suicide advocate hospitalized since last month

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Newser By Users

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