Boris Yeltsin was the first President of Russia, serving from 1991 to 1999. He played a significant role in the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Think of Boris Yeltsin as a captain who takes over a sinking ship (the USSR) and decides to save what he can by breaking it apart into lifeboats (creating independent nations).
Russian Federation: The official name for Russia after the breakup of Soviet Union, which Boris Yeltsin led as president.
Shock Therapy Economics: An economic policy that Boris Yeltsin implemented, which involved sudden release of price and currency controls, withdrawal of state subsidies, and immediate trade liberalization within a country.
Chechen War: A conflict between Russian Federation and Chechen Republic Ichkeria; fought during presidency of Boris Yeltsin.
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