Early Life and Education of Vladimir Putin: A Complete Timeline
An overview of the childhood and early education of Vladimir Putin, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.
Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician who has dominated Russian politics for over two decades. He served as President of Russia from 2000 to 2008 and again from 2012 to the present. He also held the position of Prime Minister from 1999 to 2000 and 2008 to 2012. Prior to his political career, Putin was a KGB intelligence officer. His tenure has been marked by a centralization of power, economic reforms (initially), and a more assertive foreign policy. He is the longest-serving Russian president since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
1911: Birth of Putin's Parents
In 1911, both Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin and Maria Ivanovna Shelomova, Vladimir Putin's parents, were born.
1940: Birth of Brother Viktor
In 1940, Viktor Putin, Vladimir Putin's brother, was born.
1941: Death of Grandmother
In 1941, Putin's maternal grandmother was killed by the German occupiers of Tver region.
1942: Father Wounded
In 1942, during the early stage of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, Putin's father, who served in the regular army, was severely wounded.
October 1952: Putin's birth
In October 1952, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin was born. He would later become a prominent Russian politician and President of Russia.
September 1960: Started School
In September 1960, Vladimir Putin began his formal education at School No. 193 at Baskov Lane.
1965: Death of Putin's Grandfather
In 1965, Spiridon Putin, Vladimir Putin's grandfather, who was a personal cook to Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin, passed away.
1970: Started Law Studies
In 1970, Vladimir Putin began studying law at the Leningrad State University, now known as Saint Petersburg State University.
1975: Graduation from Leningrad State University
In 1975, Vladimir Putin graduated from the Leningrad State University named after Andrei Zhdanov with a degree in law. His thesis was on "The Most Favored Nation Trading Principle in International Law".
July 1983: Putin's marriage to Lyudmila Shkrebneva
On July 28, 1983, Vladimir Putin married Lyudmila Shkrebneva.
September 1984: Further KGB Training
In September 1984, Vladimir Putin was sent to Moscow for further training at the Yuri Andropov Red Banner Institute within the KGB.
April 1985: Birth of Maria Putina
On April 28, 1985, Maria Putina, Vladimir Putin's daughter, was born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg).
August 1986: Birth of Yekaterina Putina
On August 31, 1986, Yekaterina Putina, Vladimir Putin's daughter, was born in Dresden, East Germany (now Germany).
November 1989: Fall of the Berlin Wall
During the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, Vladimir Putin reportedly saved the files of the Soviet Cultural Center and the KGB villa in Dresden from demonstrators, burning only the KGB files.
1989: Confrontations with Anti-Communist Protesters
In 1989, while stationed in Dresden, Vladimir Putin recounted his confrontations with anti-communist protestors who attempted to occupy Stasi buildings in the city.
1990: Putin's return from East Germany
From 1985 to 1990, Vladimir Putin and Lyudmila lived together in East Germany.
1991: End of Communist Party Membership
In 1991, the Communist Party of the Soviet Union ceased to exist, ending Vladimir Putin's membership, which had been required during his time at Leningrad State University.
1993: Wife's Car Crash and Religious Awakening
In 1993, after a serious car crash involving his wife, Vladimir Putin's religious awakening began.
1994: Kazakhstan President Proposed the Eurasian Union
In 1994, the president of Kazakhstan proposed the idea of a Eurasian Union. Putin endorsed the idea in 2011.
August 1996: Fire at the Putin's dacha
In August 1996, a life-threatening fire burned down Vladimir Putin's dacha.
1996: Construction of a new dacha and formation of Ozero cooperative
In 1996, Vladimir Putin built a new dacha identical to the original after the first one burned down and he was joined by a group of seven friends who built dachas nearby. In 1996, the group formally registered their fraternity as a co-operative society, calling it Ozero ("Lake") and turning it into a gated community.
June 1997: Defended Candidate of Science dissertation
On June 27, 1997, Vladimir Putin defended his Candidate of Science dissertation in economics at the Saint Petersburg Mining Institute. The thesis, titled Strategic Planning of the Reproduction of the Mineral Resource Base of a Region under Conditions of the Formation of Market Relations, was later found to contain plagiarized content.
1997: Received Degree in Economics
In 1997, Vladimir Putin received a degree in economics at the Saint Petersburg Mining University for a thesis on energy dependencies and their instrumentalisation in foreign policy.
1998: Death of Putin's Mother
In 1998, Maria Ivanovna Putina, Vladimir Putin's mother, passed away.
December 1999: "Russia at the Turn of the Millenium" document
In December 30, 1999, Putin's document "Russia at the Turn of the Millenium" appeared on the government's website. It presented Putin as orienting himself to the plan that Russia is a country with unique values in danger of losing its unity.
1999: Putin Describes Communism as a Blind Alley
In 1999, Putin described communism as "a blind alley, far away from the mainstream of civilization".
1999: Death of Putin's Father
In 1999, Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin, Vladimir Putin's father, passed away.
May 2000: Visit to Tashkent
In May 2000, Putin visited Tashkent, demonstrating improved relations with Uzbekistan after lukewarm relations under Yeltsin and Islam Karimov.
July 2000: Visit to North Korea
In July 2000, Putin became the first Russian or Soviet leader to visit North Korea, meeting with Kim Jong-il shortly after visiting South Korea.
March 2003: Elizaveta (Luiza Rozova) allegedly born
In March 2003, Elizaveta, also known as Luiza Rozova, was born with Svetlana Krivonogikh, allegedly being Putin's another daughter.
2003: Rose Revolution in Georgia
In 2003, the Rose Revolution in Georgia led to frictions in the relations of Georgia with Russia.
December 2004: Criticism of Rose and Orange Revolutions
In December 2004, Putin criticized the Rose and Orange revolutions, saying: "If you have permanent revolutions you risk plunging the post-Soviet space into endless conflict".
2005: Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan
In 2005, the Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan led to frictions in the relations of Kyrgyzstan with Russia.
2007: Visit to Indonesia and Arms Deal
In 2007, Putin became the first Russian or Soviet leader to visit Indonesia in half a century, resulting in the signing of an arms deal.
2007: Sochi Wins Bid for 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics
In 2007, Putin led a successful effort on behalf of Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2014 Winter Paralympics, which marked the first time Russia hosted the Winter Olympic Games.
2007: Cult of personality
In 2007, the tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda published a huge photograph of a shirtless Putin vacationing in the Siberian mountains under the headline "Be Like Putin".
April 2008: Moskovsky Korrespondent reports Putin's divorce and engagement
In April 2008, the Moskovsky Korrespondent reported that Vladimir Putin had divorced Lyudmila and was engaged to marry Alina Kabaeva. The story was denied, and the newspaper was shut down shortly thereafter.
August 2008: 2008 South Ossetia War
In August 2008, Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili attempted to restore control over South Ossetia, leading to the 2008 South Ossetia War where Russian forces entered South Ossetia and other parts of Georgia.
2008: Alleged Statement on Ukraine and NATO
In 2008, Putin allegedly declared at a NATO-Russia summit that if Ukraine joined NATO, Russia could annex the Ukrainian East and Crimea, and told George W. Bush that "Ukraine is not even a state!".
2008: Kazan Wins Bid for 2013 Summer Universiade
In 2008, the city of Kazan won the bid for the 2013 Summer Universiade.
November 2011: Agreement on Establishing Eurasian Union
On 18 November 2011, the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia signed an agreement setting a target of establishing the Eurasian Union by 2015.
2012: Patriarch Kirill Endorses Putin
In 2012, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, endorsed Putin's election, stating that his terms were like "a miracle of God".
2012: Birth of First Grandson
In 2012, Vladimir Putin had one grandson born through his daughter, Maria.
2012: Founding of the Izborsky Club
In 2012, the Izborsky Club, founded by Alexander Prokhanov, was established which stressed Russian nationalism, restoration of Russia's historical greatness, and opposition to liberal ideas and policies.
June 2013: Putin and Lyudmila announce their marriage is over
On June 6, 2013, Vladimir Putin and Lyudmila announced that their marriage was over.
2013: Gay Athletes Will Not Face Discrimination
In 2013, Putin stated that gay athletes would not face any discrimination at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
February 2014: Statement on Ousting of Viktor Yanukovych
Following the Russian annexation of Crimea, he said that Ukraine includes "regions of Russia's historic south" and "was created on a whim by the Bolsheviks". He went on to declare that the February 2014 ousting of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych had been orchestrated by the West as an attempt to weaken Russia.
March 2014: Annexation of Crimea
Following the Revolution of Dignity in March 2014, the Russian Federation annexed Crimea, stating it was done because "Crimea has always been and remains an inseparable part of Russia".
April 2014: Kremlin confirms Putin's divorce is finalised
On April 1, 2014, the Kremlin confirmed that Vladimir Putin's divorce from Lyudmila had been finalised.
August 2014: Statement on Russian and Ukrainian Peoples
In late August 2014, Putin stated: "People who have their own views on history and the history of our country may argue with me, but it seems to me that the Russian and Ukrainian peoples are practically one people".
2014: Death of Konni
In 2014, Konni, one of the dogs Vladimir Putin received from various national leaders, died.
2014: Russia Agrees to Write off Uzbek Debt
In 2014, Russia agreed to write off Uzbek debt, strengthening relations between the two countries.
2014: Sochi Hosts the Winter Olympics and Paralympics
In 2014, Sochi hosted the Winter Olympics and Paralympics after a successful bid led by Putin in 2007.
January 2015: Eurasian Union Established
The Eurasian Union was established on 1 January 2015.
December 2015: Statement on Ukrainian Culture and Literature
In late December 2015, Putin stated: "the Ukrainian culture, as well as Ukrainian literature, surely has a source of its own".
2015: Reported Birth of Daughter by Kabaeva, Denied
In 2015, Alina Kabaeva reportedly gave birth to a daughter by Vladimir Putin; this report was denied.
2016: Boosting Relations with the Philippines
In 2016, the relations between Russia and the Philippines received a boost as Putin forged closer bilateral ties with his Filipino counterpart, Rodrigo Duterte.
2017: Criticism of Violence Against Rohingya Minorities
In 2017, Putin criticized violence in Myanmar against Rohingya minorities.
2017: Birth of Second Grandson and Granddaughter
In 2017, Vladimir Putin had one grandson born through Maria, and one granddaughter through Katerina.
December 2018: Ukrainian Orthodox Church Attains Autocephaly
With the attainment of autocephaly by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in December 2018 and subsequent schism of the Russian Orthodox Church from Constantinople, experts concluded that Putin's forceful engagement in post-Soviet republics backfired.
2018: Possible taxi driving
According to Vladimir Putin's statements in 2018 and 2021, he may have worked as a private taxi driver to earn extra money, or considered such a job.
2018: Allegation of sensory room installation
In 2018, the Russian political magazine Sobesednik alleged that Vladimir Putin had a sensory room installed in his private residence in the Novgorod Oblast.
September 2019: Friendship Treaty with Mongolia
In September 2019, Putin and his Mongolian counterpart signed a permanent treaty on friendship between the two states, further enhancing trade and cultural exchanges.
2019: Reported Birth of Twin Sons by Kabaeva
In 2019, Alina Kabaeva reportedly gave birth to twin sons by Vladimir Putin.
July 2020: Constitutional Amendments Allowing Additional Terms Take Effect
In July 2020, Vladimir Putin signed an executive order to officially insert amendments into the Russian Constitution. On July 4, 2020, these amendments took effect, potentially allowing him to run for two additional six-year terms.
November 2020: Proekt alleges Putin has another daughter, Elizaveta
In November 2020, an investigation by Proekt alleged that Vladimir Putin has another daughter, Elizaveta, also known as Luiza Rozova, born in March 2003, with Svetlana Krivonogikh.
2020: Putin Supports Efforts to Reduce Abortions
In 2020, Putin supported efforts to reduce the number of abortions, as opposed to prohibiting them entirely.
2020: Support for Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage
In 2020, Putin supported the Russian constitutional referendum, which passed and defined marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman in the Constitution of Russia.
2020: Abe's Resignation
In 2020, Shinzo Abe resigned as Prime Minister before any agreement could be signed between Putin and Abe regarding the Japan-Russia territorial disputes.
June 2021: Putin Receives Sputnik V Vaccine
In June 2021, Vladimir Putin stated he was fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Sputnik V vaccine and commented on the importance of voluntary vaccinations while noting that mandatory vaccinations in some professions could slow down the spread of COVID-19.
July 2021: Publication of Article on Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians
In July 2021, Putin published a lengthy article titled "On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians", stating the formation of a Ukrainian state hostile to Moscow was "comparable in its consequences to the use of weapons of mass destruction against us", and it was made mandatory reading for military-political training in the Russian Armed Forces.
November 2021: William Burns' personal meeting with Putin
In November 2021, William Burns, then U.S. ambassador to Russia, had a personal meeting with Vladimir Putin.
2021: Possible taxi driving
According to Vladimir Putin's statements in 2018 and 2021, he may have worked as a private taxi driver to earn extra money, or considered such a job.
April 2022: Parkinson's disease speculation
In April 2022, tabloid newspaper The Sun reported that based on video footage Vladimir Putin may have Parkinson's disease, which has not been supported by medical professionals.
July 2022: CIA Director William Burns comments on Putin's health
In July 2022, the director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, William Burns, stated they had no evidence to suggest Vladimir Putin was unstable or in bad health, despite media speculation.
December 2022: Speech to Security Council Calling Ukraine Fighting a War
On 22 December 2022, Putin addressed the Security Council, referring to the fighting in Ukraine as a "war" rather than a "Special Military Operation".
2022: Swiss media reports on Kabaeva's childbirths
In 2022, Swiss media, citing the couple's Swiss gynecologist, reported that on both occasions Alina Kabaeva gave birth to a boy.
2022: SMO start in Ukraine
In 2022, the SMO began in Ukraine without preparation. President Putin later regretted not starting it at the same time as the annexation of Crimea and with more "preparation".
2022: Anna Borshchevskaya Summarizes Putin's Foreign Policy Objectives
In her 2022 book, Anna Borshchevskaya summarizes Putin main foreign policy objectives as originating in his 30 December 1999 document which appeared on the government's website, "Russia at the Turn of the Millenium".
November 2023: Speech to the World Russian People's Council
During a speech to the World Russian People's Council on 28 November 2023, Putin urged Russian women to have "seven, eight, or even more children" and said "large families must become the norm, a way of life for all of Russia's people".
December 2023: Putin Press Conference on Ukraine Negotiations
On 14 December 2023, President Putin held a press conference where he indicated that Russia would only negotiate with Ukraine "when we achieve our objectives". He stated that another mobilization wasn't required as "617,000" Russian soldiers were fighting in Ukraine.
February 2024: Interview with Tucker Carlson
In February 2024, since the 2022 Ukraine invasion, Putin granted an interview to Western journalist Tucker Carlson.
August 2024: Extensive Prisoner Exchange Between Russia and United States
On 2 August 2024, Vladimir Putin pardoned American journalist Evan Gershkovich, opposition figures Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin and others in a prisoner swap with western countries. The 2024 Ankara prisoner exchange was the most extensive prisoner exchange between Russia and United States since the end of the Cold War, involving the release of twenty-six people.
2024: Regret Over Timing of "Special Military Operation"
During the 2024 Year-End Review, President Putin was asked if there were regrets from the “Special Military Operation”.
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