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  Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a name which elicits instantaneous reactions throughout the world.  Since he first held the presidency in 1999, Putin has continued to be the public face of Russian politics and has left a lasting mark on the country's government, economy, foreign relations, and international image.  His leadership has redefined modern Russia, restoring the power of the centralized state, rewriting national identity, and reasserting Russia's status as a world power albeit at the cost of deepened international outrage and domestic resistance. The article analyzes the multifaceted role of Vladimir Putin in redefining modern Russia, looking at his rise to power, key domestic and foreign policy initiatives, economic policies, and his 21st-century legacy. Putin's Rise to Power: Background and Childhood: Putin was born in 1952 in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) to a low-ranking party functionary.  He studied law at Leningrad State University and then joined...