Vladimir Putin
Background
AI-generatedVladimir Putin is the President of the Russian Federation, having led the country as president or prime minister since 1999.
Role
Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia, serving as head of state and commander-in-chief of the Russian Armed Forces. He holds significant control over foreign, security, and domestic policy, and has been in power, either as president or prime minister, for over two decades.
Background
Putin, a former KGB intelligence officer, rose through St. Petersburg city government and federal security posts before becoming prime minister and then president in 1999-2000. He has since won multiple presidential elections and referendums extending term limits, and has overseen major shifts in Russian domestic governance and foreign policy, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Why they are in the news
As of mid-2026, Putin remains central to coverage of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which continues with missile, drone, and cross-border attacks causing civilian casualties on both sides. He has been engaged in intermittent diplomatic contacts, including calls with US President Donald Trump, amid efforts to discuss potential ceasefire terms or de-escalation, even as fighting persists, including Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure and Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and Crimea.
Background context generated by AI from public knowledge and recent Apprise coverage. Facts may lag current events — see the stories below for the latest.
In the news
▶ 54sLatest Russian and Ukrainian attacks kill a total of 15 people, officials say
Ukrainian forces attacked holiday camps in the partly Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia region, killing 12 people, including four children
▶ 55sThe Latest: US says it's carrying out more strikes after Iran’s attacks in Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. has carried out another round of strikes on Iran hours after President Donald Trump said that recent Iranian attacks on ships in Strait of Hormuz signaled the end of the ceasefire
▶ 53sTrump says US will give Ukraine license to produce Patriot defense systems
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced at a NATO summit in Turkey that the U.S. will allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defense systems
▶ 46sRussia's missile and drone attacks on Ukraine kill at least 22
Russia has launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, killing at least 22 people
▶ 51s1 killed in attack on Crimea as Putin and Zelenskyy hold separate Trump calls
A Ukrainian attack on Russian-occupied Crimea has killed one person, according to Moscow-installed officials
▶ 56sUkrainian drones hit St Petersburg oil terminal in latest long-range attack on Russia
Ukrainian drones have struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg as Kyiv ramps up bombardment of Russia’s oil infrastructure