Yeltsin is dead

The first independent President of Russia, Boris Yeltsin, has died aged 76. His shining moment was standing up to the Soviet Generals who attempted a coup. The breakup of the USSR may have been very bloody otherwise.

He also became the first Russian leader to surrender power peacefully.

On the negative side he was often an alcoholic buffoon. Stuff has some of his more amusing misdeeds. Mind you I’m not sure ordering your guards to throw your press secretary in the river counts as a misdeed 🙂