List of Presidents of Russia: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Russia from 1991 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Russia, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Russia: Vladimir Putin (in office since 2012).

Presidents of Russia in order, with years in office

Boris Yeltsin

Served: 1991–1999

First president of Russia, elected in June 1991; he resigned on 31 December 1999.

Vladimir Putin

Served: 1999–2008

Became acting president on 31 December 1999 and was elected in March 2000; he served two terms.

Dmitry Medvedev

Served: 2008–2012

Served one four-year term, with Putin as prime minister.

Vladimir Putin

Served: 2012–present

Returned to the presidency on 7 May 2012; he was re-elected in 2018 and March 2024, and his current term runs to 2030.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Russia

Who is the current president of Russia?

The current president of Russia is Vladimir Putin, in office since 2012.

Who were the previous presidents of Russia?

The presidents and heads of state of Russia listed on this page, in order, are: Boris Yeltsin, Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Medvedev.

Who was the first president of Russia?

Boris Yeltsin was the first president of Russia, in office 1991–1999.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Russia; Reuters, AP and Al Jazeera reports on Vladimir Putin, October 2026 (checked Nov 2026). Presidents of the Russian Federation since 1991. Mikhail Gorbachev was president of the Soviet Union, not of Russia, and is not listed.. Last reviewed November 2026.

Presidents of other Europe countries