Anatoly Sobchak speaks at a city conference as Vladimir Putin listens, 1993.

Vladimir Putin during his days as deputy mayor in St Petersburg, 1994.

Vladimir Putin and Anatoly Sobchak talk during an economic conference in Moscow, 1997.

President Boris Yeltsin appoints Vladimir Putin as prime minister, August 1999.

Vladimir Putin visits a wounded soldier in Chechnya, November 1999.

Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila visit the Russian army in Chechnya, January 2000.

Vladimir Putin poses with several Russian politicians during a Christmas service in Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, January 2000.

Vladimir Putin takes part in the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, to mark the Day of the Defender of the Fatherland, February 2000.

Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev watch the soldiers walk by, February 2000.

Vladimir Putin is accompanied by Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov during a meeting, February 2000.