DMITRY MEDVEDEV was inaugurated as Russia’s president yesterday, pledging to bolster the country’s economic development and civil rights, in what may signal a departure from his predecessor’s heavy-handed tactics.

Dmitry Medvedev took the Russian presidential oath of office today, succeeding his patron, Vladimir Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was inaugurated today, officially starting his second term with a solemn ceremony in an ornate Kremlin hall nearly two months after winning re-election as leader of the vast nation.