Rise of Vladimir Putin and Early Presidency (1999–2004)

1. Putin becomes Russia’s prime minister

   Aug 16, 1999Labels: Vladimir Putin, Boris Yeltsin

   • RFE RL
   • Britannica

2. War expands in the North Caucasus

   Sep 4, 1999Labels: Second Chechen, North Caucasus

   • Britannica
   • Britannica

3. Yeltsin resigns; Putin becomes acting president

   Dec 31, 1999Labels: Boris Yeltsin, Vladimir Putin

   • Guardian
   • HISTORY

4. Putin wins the 2000 presidential election

   Mar 26, 2000Labels: Vladimir Putin

   • CSCE

5. Putin sworn in and begins first term

   May 7, 2000Labels: Vladimir Putin, Kremlin

   • UPI
   • Guardian

6. Seven federal districts created to strengthen the center

   May 13, 2000Labels: Federal districts, presidential envoy

   • UPI
   • Council Europe

7. Kursk submarine disaster tests Putin’s leadership

   Aug 12, 2000Labels: Kursk submarine, Russian Navy

   • Britannica
   • HISTORY

8. State Council formed to manage regional elites

   Sep 1, 2000Labels: State Council, regional governors

   • RFE RL
   • Kremlin arch

9. Independent national TV loses control at NTV

   Apr 14, 2001Labels: NTV, Gazprom

   • CPJ

10. Theater hostage crisis underscores security-state approach

    Oct 23, 2002Labels: Moscow theater, Chechen militants

    • Britannica

11. Khodorkovsky arrested in Yukos crackdown

    Oct 25, 2003Labels: Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Yukos

    • RFE RL
    • Britannica

12. Putin re-elected, consolidating the early system

    Mar 14, 2004Labels: Vladimir Putin

    • Britannica
    • CSCE