Russia has been transformed under Vladimir Putin

The nation has come a long way during the two decades under his steady gaze

Russian President Vladimir Putin looks through the scope as he shoots a Chukavin sniper rifle during a visit to the military Patriot Park in Kubinka, outside Moscow on September 19, 2018. AFP

Putin is seen at Sayano-Shushensky Nature Reserve in the West Sayan Mountains in Tyva Republic, south Siberia, on August 27, 2018. Getty Images

Putin sunbathes during his vacation in the remote Tuva region in southern Siberia on August 04, 2017. AFP

Putin attends a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall on February 23, 2017. AFP

Putin works out at a gym at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence in Sochi on August 30, 2015. AFP

Putin smiles during an ice hockey match as part of the Night Hockey league tournament in Sochi on May 16, 2015. AFP

Putin rides in a submersible July 15, 2013 in the Baltic Sea near Gotland Island, Russia. Getty Images

Putin rides Harley Davidson Lehman Trike as he leaves the meeting with motorbikers in Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula on July 24, 2010. AFP

Putin swims the butterfly during his vacation outside the town of Kyzyl in Southern Siberia on August 05, 2009. AFP

Putin rides a horse during his vacation outside the town of Kyzyl on August 03, 2009. AFP

Putin holds a chick as he visits the Golden Autumn agro-industrial exhibition in Moscow on October 11, 2008. AFP

Putin carries a hunting rifle in the Republic of Tuva on August 15, 2007. AFP

A snowmobile pulls Putin as he visits a mountainside of Sochi resort on February 20, 2007. AFP

Putin holds a pistol during his visit to headquarters of the Russian General Staff's Main Intelligence Department in Moscow on November 08, 2006. AFP

Putin enters for his annual press conference in Moscow on January 31, 2006. AFP

Putin takes a ride in his 1956 "Volga" as he attends an opening ceremony of Adler-Krasnaya Polyana tunnel in Krasnodar region on August 19, 2005. AFP

Putin adjusts his sunglasses during the MAKS-2005 International air and space show in Zhukovsky on August 16, 2005. AFP

Putin poses for a picture after his arrival at Olenogorsk military airport, near Murmansk on August 16, 2005. AFP

Putin warms himself during his visit to the native village of famous Russian writer Viktor Astafiev in Ovsianka on February 27, 2004. AFP

Putin watches the tactical exercises of the Northern Fleet in the Barentsevo Sea from the "Karelia" nuclear submarine on April 06, 2000. AFP

The picture was very different when Vladimir Putin was appointed as Russia's prime minister 20 years ago today.
President Boris Yeltsin named his fourth prime minister in less than 18 months. The state was struggling to its feet after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The coffers were empty.
Mr Putin, then a relatively unknown security services chief with little direct experience of politics, would emerge as Mr Yeltsin's successor within months and became president on the Millennium.
Mr Putin has rebuilt the Russian state and the Kremlin has taken on a central role in world affairs.
The president's approval ratings remain at a level most Western leaders would envy.
The longest-serving Russian leader of living memory is secure in his role through the end of his term in 2024 and perhaps beyond.
A firm hand that grappled with internal corruption and the terror campaign waged by Chechen separatists in the early years helped stabilise the country. He earned respect and popularity among large swathes of the public, as the man who restored Russia's dignity following the humiliating collapse of the USSR and as a guarantee of stability after the changes of the 1990s.
It was the so-called Orange Revolution in Ukraine in 2004 that delivered a sense of purpose to Russia's efforts to assert its place in the world.
The West's dismissive attitude towards Russia melted away as its interventions in Iraq, Libya and elsewhere faltered.
A decisive intervention in Syria followed and with the rise of President Donald Trump, Russia has seen its sway among many nations gain relative to the American retreat.
Much remains to be done to complete the mission Mr Putin has started but Russia has been transformed in two decades under his steady gaze.