Putin's Ascent Amid Chaos

This chapter explores the tumultuous political landscape in Russia following the Soviet Union's collapse, focusing on Boris Yeltsin's rise amid economic instability and corruption. It delves into Vladimir Putin's early career, particularly his pivotal role under Anatoly Sobchak and the dynamics of loyalty and rivalry in the turbulent 1990s. The chapter culminates in a dramatic narrative illustrating Putin's instrumental role in orchestrating Sobchak's escape from authorities, raising questions about the motivations that brought him into Yeltsin's inner circle.