Vladimir Putin, born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad, is a prominent Russian politician who has served as the President of Russia since 1999, with a brief stint as Prime Minister in between. Prior to his political career, Putin worked for the Soviet Union's intelligence agency, the KGB. He is known for his strong leadership, controversial policies, and influence in shaping Russia's foreign relations. Putin has been both praised for his strong stance on national security and criticized for his authoritarian tendencies.