On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at how an unknown bureaucrat with a mysterious past unexpectedly rose to president of Russia.

Adam is joined by the BBC’s Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, and Russia reporter for The Washington Post and author, Catherine Belton.

They discuss how chaos in Russia in the 1990s allowed Putin’s rise to power, Boris Yeltsin’s surprise resignation and why Putin refused to campaign.

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Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC.

It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Joe Wilkinson with Miranda Slade, and Kris Jalowiecki. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.