Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin holds an elevated reputation today as both a politician and former intelligence officer from Russia. Since assuming office many years ago, serving various stints across Prime Minister (PM) and Presidency roles he has been celebrated globally. Starting circa ’99 are: first PM term (’99-’00), Presidency from 2000-08 followed by later PM term (2008-12), and second-presidential incumbency till date starting circa’12 till now.
Vladimir before politics
Vladimir was born on October 7th, 1952, in Leningrad (modern-day St. Petersburg). Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin, his father, was a member of the Russian Navy, while his mother Maria Ivanovna Putin worked in a factory. He sealed the oldest of three siblings’ birth record. For Vladimir, sports were always been an utmost priority and curiosity since childhood. Once he started practicing wrestling at twelve years old gradually earning his black belt, he never looked back. Physical fitness in moderation has remained at the core of Putin’s advocating activity to date- martial arts & judo remain some of his favorites amongst others. As World War II commenced with the NKVD demolition unit’s work expanding, Vladimir’s father found himself pulled towards serving as part of the submarine fleet – taking charge during his early thirties. Putin’s devoted service driving KGB foreign intelligence operations continued for nearly sixteen years culminating as a lieutenant colonel. Then, he retired in 1991, thus, allowing the dreamed-of avenue into politics to open up.
His education
Putin has been well-schooled from his early years. His educational journey is outlined below:
Primary education
Vladimir Putin attended Leningrad Primary School No. 193 from 1960 until 1968. After the eighth grade, he enrolled in High School No. 281, a chemistry-focused magnet school run by a technical institution, where he graduated in 1970. Vladimir Putin was not interested in studying until the sixth grade, but his teacher, Vera Gurevich, noticed that he could do better and receive higher scores. She approached his father and asked him to influence his son. It didn’t assist much, but Vladimir Putin’s attitude toward his academics altered dramatically when he was in sixth grade. Vladimir Putin determined in sixth grade that he wanted to do something in life, so he started performing excellently, which came naturally to him. He was permitted to join the Young Pioneers organization and quickly rose to the position of leader of a Pioneer detachment in his class.
Higher education
Vladimir Putin enrolled in the law department at Leningrad State University in 1970 and graduated in 1975. His dissertation was titled “In International Law, the Most Favoured Nation Trading Principle.” Putin attended KGB School No. 1 in Moscow in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Vladimir Putin desired to work in intelligence even before completing his education. He went to the KGB Directorate’s public reception office to learn how to become an intelligence officer. He was informed there that he would have to either serve in the army or finish college, ideally with a legal degree, first. Vladimir Putin was accepted to the law department at Leningrad State University in 1970.
Vladimir Putin’s early professional life
He served more than 15 years as a KGB foreign intelligence agent, six of them in Dresden, East Germany. He retired from KGB service as a colonel in 1990. He returned to Russia to serve as a guardian of State University, where he oversaw the institution’s exterior relations. He then became an adviser to Sobchak, St. Petersburg’s first popularly elected mayor. He gained Sobchak’s confidence and is well-known for his ability to achieve objectives. He moved to Moscow in 1996 and joined the presidential team as the deputy, the Kremlin’s top administrator. He remained a member of the Soviet Union’s Communist Party until it was abolished. He developed a friendship with Anatoly Chubais and ascended through the administrative levels. He then co-wrote The Russian Constitution and French corruption trials. He married Lyudmila Shkrebneva and they have two daughters, Katerina and Mariya.
