Vladimir Putin came to power through a strategic process orchestrated by then- president Boris Yeltsin and his inner circle. This process, known as "Operation Successor," involved selecting a loyal, competent candidate to succeed Yeltsin without broad public involvement, which halted democratic development in Russia. Putin, a former KGB officer, was appointed Prime Minister in August 1999, replacing Sergei Stepashin, and then automatically became Acting President when Yeltsin resigned on December 31, 1999. Leveraging state resources, media support, and his tough stance on the Chechen conflict, Putin quickly gained popularity and was elected President in March 2000 with about 53% of the vote. His rise was marked by the use of administrative power, support from oligarchs, and a law-and-order image that appealed to a public craving stability after the tumultuous 1990s in Russia.
