Boris Yeltsin, Russia’s first President, played a crucial role in the nation’s transition from Soviet rule to a modern democratic state. Rising from a regional Communist Party leader, he became a bold critic of the Soviet system. His defiant stand during the 1991 coup attempt made him a symbol of democratic resistance. After the Soviet Union collapsed, Yeltsin led Russia through sweeping political and economic reforms, aiming to establish free markets and multiparty democracy. Despite facing economic turmoil and political challenges, his leadership marked the beginning of a new chapter in Russian history, shaping the foundation of the Russian Federation.