Putin celebrates decade in power

VLADIMIR PUTIN celebrated a decade in power yesterday, and it appears the former KGB strongman may maintain his grip on Russia’s government for years to come.

Supporters credit him with rescuing the economy from the post-Soviet doldrums and restoring national pride. Critics say the price – rolling back democratic reforms and stifling dissent – has been too high.

It has been 10 years since an ailing Boris Yeltsin promoted Putin from security chief to prime minister on August 9, 1999. He was elected president the following year and in 2008 he handed the post, but not all the power, to Dmitry Medvedev.