Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday decorated his predecessor Boris Yeltsin with the nation's highest civilian award, the Order of Service to the Motherland first degree, Interfax reported.
Putin made the announcement at a reception marking the tenth anniversary of the adoption of Russia's sovereignty.
Yeltsin, 70, stepped down as head of state on December 31, 1999, handing the presidency over to former KGB officer Vladimir Putin, who was later confirmed in the post in elections.
Although his final years were marred by ill-health and the humiliating Russian defeat in Chechnya during the 1994-96 war as well as the failure of economic reforms, Yeltsin is credited with extending democratic freedoms during his nearly decade-long rule -- MOSCOW (AFP)
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