Vladimir Putin – profile of Russia’s strongman

Jun 1999: In aftermath of 15-month Kosovo war, U.S.-led NATO troops block Russian peacekeeping efforts in standoff at Pristina airport

2000: After Kosovo humiliation and with Russian economy in chaos,  President Boris Yeltsin resigns, nominating Putin to succeed him. Kremlin begins rebuilding Russian military, increasing defence budget from $29bn to $68.2bn by 2013

2002: U.S. initiates military training programme in former Soviet republic of Georgia

2004: During Ukraine’s Orange Revolution, victory of pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych (left) in presidential election is annulled due to fraud. His opponent, pro-Western Viktor Yushchenko, is mysteriously poisoned with dioxins – Yushchenko survives and wins re-run

2005: New oil pipeline from Azerbaijan through Georgia to Turkey bypasses Russia

2008: NATO summit in Bucharest confirms Georgia and Ukraine will be offered membership. Referendum in Georgia shows 77% of voters supporting NATO accession. Putin becomes Prime Minister, having served two terms as President

Aug: In five-day war with Russia, Georgian military is forced out of South Ossetia and Abkhazia 

2010: Yanukovych becomes President of Ukraine

2012: Putin wins third term as president

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2013: U.S backs off from threat to attack Syria over its use of chemical weapons after Kremlin aggressively opposes move. Success boosts Putin’s standing

Feb 2014: Protests over Yanukovich’s decision to back away from trade agreement with European Union forces him from power

Mar: Russia annexes Crimea from Ukraine. U.S., EU and Canada respond with sanctions

Jul: All 298 people on board Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 killed when aircraft is hit by missile over eastern Ukraine. Kremlin denies supplying missile systems to pro-Russian rebels   

Jan 2015: Western sanctions and falling oil price contribute to recession. Russian Central Bank forecasts GDP contraction of between 4.5%-4.7% in 2015 

Mar: Putin reveals that Moscow was ready to put its nuclear forces on alert to ensure Russia’s annexation of Crimea

Mar 16: Putin orders Northern Fleet – with 38,000 troops, 41 ships, 15 submarines and over 100 aircraft – to full combat readiness as part of snap military exercise

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Russia’s defence budget 80
$ (billion)
60
40
20
0
00
05
10
15
2015: $81bn (est.)
2000: $29bn

Increase(2000-2015) 179%

Flagship of Northern Fleet
Pyotr Veliky (Peter the Great)

Sources: IISS, Stratfor, Moscow Times
Pictures: Associated Press, Getty Images