Vladimir Putin's brother Viktor died of diphtheria and starvation in 1942 during the Siege of Leningrad by Nazi Germany's forces in World War II.

Vladimir Putin was born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad, Soviet Union (now Saint Petersburg, Russia). He was the youngest of three children.

On 1 September 1960, Putin started at School No. 193 at Baskov Lane, near his home.

Putin graduated from the Leningrad State University named after Andrei Zhdanov (now Saint Petersburg State University) in 1975.

In 1975, Vladimir Putin joined the KGB and received training at the 401st KGB School in Okhta, Leningrad. He then worked in the Second Chief Directorate and later in the First Chief Directorate, monitoring foreigners and consular officials in Leningrad.

Vladimir Putin married Lyudmila Shkrebneva on July 28, 1983. They lived together in East Germany from 1985 to 1990 and have two daughters, Mariya and Yekaterina.

In September 1984, Putin was sent to Moscow for further training at the Yuri Andropov Red Banner Institute, as part of his career development within the KGB.

During the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, Putin saved the files of the Soviet Cultural Center and the KGB villa in Dresden to prevent demonstrators, including KGB and Stasi agents, from obtaining and destroying them. He then supposedly burnt only the KGB files, but saved the archives of the Soviet Cultural Center for the German authorities.

After the collapse of the Communist East German government, Putin resigned from active KGB service and returned to Leningrad in early 1990 as a member of the 'active reserves'.

On 28 June 1991, Putin became head of the Committee for External Relations of the Mayor's Office in Saint Petersburg, with responsibility for promoting international relations and foreign investments.

Putin claims that he resigned from the KGB with the rank of lieutenant colonel on 20 August 1991, on the second day of the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt against Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev.

Putin's religious awakening began after a serious car crash involving his wife in 1993, and a life-threatening fire that burned down their dacha in August 1996.

In March 1994, Putin was appointed as the first deputy chairman of the Government of Saint Petersburg, marking a significant step in his political career.

In May 1995, Putin organized the Saint Petersburg branch of the pro-government Our Home – Russia political party, and managed the legislative election campaign for the party.

After Putin's dacha burned down in 1996, he built a new one identical to the original and was joined by a group of seven friends who built dachas nearby. In the same year, the group formally registered their fraternity as a co-operative society, calling it Ozero ('Lake') and turning it into a gated community.

On 26 March 1997, Vladimir Putin was appointed as the deputy chief of the Presidential Property Management Department.

On 27 June 1997, Vladimir Putin defended his Candidate of Science dissertation in economics at the Saint Petersburg Mining Institute.

On 25 May 1998, Vladimir Putin was appointed as the First Deputy Chief of the Presidential Staff for the regions.

On 25 July 1998, Boris Yeltsin appointed Vladimir Putin as the director of the Federal Security Service (FSB).

On 9 August 1999, Vladimir Putin was appointed as the acting prime minister of the Government of the Russian Federation by President Yeltsin.

Putin's main foreign policy objectives were outlined in the document 'Russia at the Turn of the Millennium', emphasizing the preservation of Russia's unique values and the manipulation of identity issues to drive anti-Western security narratives.

On 31 December 1999, Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly resigned and Putin became the Acting President of the Russian Federation.

On December 31, 1999, Vladimir Putin became the Acting President of Russia, eventually solidifying his position as a prominent political figure in the country.

Vladimir Putin became the President of Russia in 2000, marking the beginning of his influential and controversial leadership. Putin's policies have shaped Russia's domestic and foreign affairs significantly.

On 26 March 2000, Vladimir Putin won the presidential elections in the first round with 53% of the vote.

The inauguration of President Putin occurred on 7 May 2000.

After the 9/11 attacks, Putin quickly supported the U.S. in the War on Terror, leading to cautious relations and the opportunity for partnership between Russia and the U.S.

The Moscow theater hostage crisis occurred in October 2002, resulting in the deaths of 130 hostages during the special forces' rescue operation. Despite warnings of damage to President Putin's popularity, he enjoyed record public approval ratings shortly after the siege ended.

A referendum was held in Chechnya in 2003, adopting a new constitution declaring the Republic of Chechnya as part of Russia while also acquiring autonomy. This marked a significant development in the stabilization of Chechnya.

On 14 March 2004, Vladimir Putin was elected to the presidency for a second term, receiving 71% of the vote, marking the beginning of his second presidential term.

The Beslan school hostage crisis took place on 1–3 September 2004, resulting in the tragic deaths of more than 330 people, including 186 children.

In 2005, the National Priority Projects were launched to improve Russia's health care, education, housing, and agriculture, addressing the country's social and economic needs.

In response to a question by a Spanish journalist, Vladimir Putin revealed that Rosneft used Baikalfinansgrup as a means to acquire Yuganskneftegaz to protect itself against litigation.

On 7 October 2006, journalist Anna Politkovskaya, known for exposing corruption in the Russian army and its conduct in Chechnya, was assassinated, sparking international criticism and accusations of failure to protect independent media.

After opposing plans for the U.S. missile shield in Europe, Putin presented President George W. Bush with a counterproposal on 7 June 2007, which was declined.

On 14 July 2007, Putin announced the suspension of Russia's Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe obligations, leading to geopolitical tensions and negotiations with NATO members.

Putin visited Iran to participate in the Second Caspian Summit, marking a significant event in Iran–Russia relations. He expressed concerns over the Iranian nuclear program and described Iran as a 'partner'.

Russia suspended its participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty on 11 December 2007.

Putin opposed Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008, warning that it would destabilize the whole system of international relations.

In April 2008, it was reported that Vladimir Putin had divorced Lyudmila and was engaged to marry Olympic gold medalist Alina Kabaeva. The story was denied, and the newspaper was shut down shortly thereafter.

After being barred from a third consecutive term by the Constitution, Putin was appointed Prime Minister of Russia on 8 May 2008, maintaining his political dominance.

The court verdict on oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky and his partner Platon Lebedev, who funded opposition parties before their arrests, was believed to indicate whether or not Putin still held the most power in Russia.

At the United Russia Congress in Moscow on 24 September 2011, Medvedev officially proposed that Putin stand for the presidency in 2012, an offer Putin accepted.

On 4 March 2012, Putin won the 2012 Russian presidential election in the first round, with 63.6% of the vote, despite widespread accusations of vote-rigging.

Putin's presidency was inaugurated in the Kremlin on 7 May 2012, issuing 14 presidential decrees on his first day.

John Forbes Kerry met with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow during the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.

On June 6, 2013, Vladimir Putin and Lyudmila announced that their marriage was over. The Kremlin confirmed that the divorce had been finalized on April 1, 2014.

The New York Times published an op-ed by Putin urging caution against US intervention in Syria and criticizing American exceptionalism. This reflected Putin's stance on the Syrian civil war and his opposition to foreign intervention.

Following the Revolution of Dignity, the Russian Federation annexed Crimea, with Putin emphasizing that Crimea has always been and remains an inseparable part of Russia.

In a speech in July 2014, Putin expressed his willingness to use Russia's full range of available means, including international humanitarian law and the right of self-defense, to protect Russian speakers outside Russia amidst the armed insurgency in Eastern Ukraine.

On July 31, 2014, Fareed Zakaria discussed the concept of Putinism in an article, highlighting the authoritarian tendencies and policies associated with Vladimir Putin's leadership in Russia.

After EU and U.S. sanctions against Russian officials as a result of the crisis in Ukraine, Putin's approval rating reached 87% in August 2014.

In October 2014, Putin addressed Russian security concerns in Sochi at the Valdai International Discussion Club.

In November 2014, the Ukrainian military reported intensive movement of troops and equipment from Russia into the separatist-controlled parts of eastern Ukraine. The Associated Press reported 80 unmarked military vehicles on the move in rebel-controlled areas.

On 1 January 2015, the Eurasian Union was established, following Putin's endorsement of the idea in 2011. This marked a significant step in Russia's policy of Eurasian integration.

On 30 September 2015, President Putin authorized Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war, following a formal request by the Syrian government for military help against rebel and jihadist groups.

On 9 November 2016, Putin congratulated Donald Trump on becoming the 45th president of the United States.

In January 2017, a U.S. intelligence community assessment expressed high confidence that Putin personally ordered an influence campaign, initially to denigrate Hillary Clinton and to harm her electoral chances and potential presidency, then later developing 'a clear preference' for Donald Trump.

With the election of Trump, Putin's favorability in the U.S. increased. A Gallup poll in February 2017 revealed a positive view of Putin among 22% of Americans, the highest since 2003.

The Owen report, published on 21 January 2016, stated 'The FSB operation to kill Mr. Litvinenko was probably approved by Mr Patrushev and also by President Putin.'

Former double agent Sergei Skripal was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent in Salisbury. The British government accused the Russian state of attempted murder, which Russia denied. Tensions escalated with the expulsion of diplomats and accusations against Putin.

Putin won the 2018 Russian presidential election with more than 76% of the vote. His fourth term began on 7 May 2018, and will last until 2024.

In January 2019, the percentage of Russians trusting Putin hit a then-historic low – 33%.

In September 2019, Putin's administration interfered with the results of Russia's nationwide regional elections and manipulated it by eliminating all candidates in the opposition, leading to large-scale arrests and cases of police brutality.

The first Russia-Africa Summit was held in Sochi, Russia, co-hosted by Putin and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The meeting was attended by 43 heads of state and government from African countries, signifying Russia's growing engagement in Africa.

On 15 January 2020, Medvedev and his entire government resigned after Putin's 2020 Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly. Putin suggested major constitutional amendments that could extend his political power after presidency.

Putin instructed the formation of a Working Group of the State Council to counteract the spread of coronavirus and appointed Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin as the head of the group.

After a phone call with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, Putin arranged for the Russian army to send military medics, special disinfection vehicles, and other medical equipment to Italy to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Putin announced in a televised address to the nation that the 22 April constitutional referendum would be postponed due to the coronavirus. He also declared the next week as a nationwide paid holiday and urged Russians to stay at home, along with announcing measures for social protection and support for businesses.

Putin issued an address announcing the prolongation of non-working time until 30 April, likening Russia's fight against COVID-19 to historical battles. A poll showed disapproval of Putin's handling of the pandemic.

On 18 June 2020, The National Interest published a nine-thousand-word essay by Putin, titled 'The Real Lessons of the 75th Anniversary of World War II', in which he criticizes the Western historical view of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact as the start of World War II, stating that the Munich Agreement was the beginning.

Putin signed an executive order to officially insert amendments into the Russian Constitution, allowing him to run for two additional six-year terms.

Protests have been held in the Khabarovsk Krai in support of arrested regional governor Sergei Furgal, with increasing anti-Putin sentiment.

Putin signed a bill giving lifetime prosecutorial immunity to Russian ex-presidents.

A video investigation by Alexei Navalny and the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) was published accusing Putin of using fraudulently obtained funds to build the estate for himself. The investigation claimed that the estate is 39 times the size of Monaco and cost over 100 billion rubles ($1.35 billion) to construct.

During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Putin highlighted the 'unique bond' between Russia and Israel, indicating the significance of their bilateral relations.

Putin stated that an enlargement of NATO in Ukraine would be a 'red line' issue for Russia, repeatedly denying plans to invade Ukraine.

Russian President Putin stated that any NATO expansion in Ukraine, particularly deploying missiles capable of reaching Moscow, would be a 'red line' for Russia. Stoltenberg emphasized that Ukraine's NATO membership is decided by Ukraine and NATO, not Russia.

Putin signed a decree recognizing the two self-proclaimed separatist republics in Donbas as independent states and made an address concerning the events in Ukraine.

Putin signed a law introducing prison sentences for publishing 'knowingly false information' about the Russian military and its operations, leading to media outlets in Russia to stop reporting on Ukraine.

The Kremlin demanded Ukraine's neutrality, recognition of Crimea as Russian territory, and recognition of the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states as a condition for ending the invasion.

The UN reported that Putin ordered a 'kidnapping' policy, victimizing Ukrainian nationals who did not cooperate with the Russian takeover of their homeland.

Putin announced a partial mobilization following a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kharkiv and the announcement of annexation referendums in Russian-occupied Ukraine.

Putin signed decrees which annexed Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson Oblasts of Ukraine into the Russian Federation, leading to international condemnation and being illegal under international law.

On 22 December 2022, Putin addressed the Security Council, referring to the fighting in Ukraine as a 'war' instead of the term 'Special Military Operation'. This marked a significant shift in the official terminology used for the conflict.

On 31 December 2022, questions were raised about President Putin's New Year's address, with concerns about whether the individuals present were actual soldiers or actors.

On 21 February 2023, Putin suspended Russia's participation in the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with the United States.

The International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Putin's arrest, alleging criminal responsibility in the illegal deportation and transfer of children from Ukraine to Russia during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Russia and met with Vladimir Putin, marking the first international meeting of Putin since the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest.

On 25 March, President Putin announced the stationing of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, stating that Russia would maintain control of the weapons.

Putin hosted the 2023 Russia–Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, attended by delegations from more than 40 African countries.

Putin claimed that Russia was always 'ready for talks' to end the 'tragedy' of the war in Ukraine, accusing the Ukrainian leadership of rejecting peace talks with Russia.

In December 2023, President Putin indicated that Russia would only negotiate with Ukraine 'when we achieve our objectives', emphasizing a firm stance on the ongoing conflict.

The New York Times reported that Putin has been signaling through intermediaries since at least September 2022 that 'he is open to a ceasefire that freezes the fighting along the current lines.'