Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed a surprising chapter from his past: a stint as a taxi driver during the tumultuous period following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The leader known for his KGB roots and authoritative governance confessed that the demise of the USSR in 1991 was not only a “tragedy” for Russian citizens but also a personal hardship that led him to drive a taxi for additional income.

In a candid admission in a documentary film aired by state media channel Russia 1, Putin described the Soviet Union’s fall as the end of “historical Russia.”

He expressed the emotional impact this event had on him, saying, “Sometimes I had to earn extra money. I mean, earn extra money by car, as a private driver. It’s unpleasant to talk about, to be honest, but unfortunately, that was the case.”

This revelation sheds light on a lesser-known struggle of Putin’s life after the Soviet Union disintegrated, which saw him resorting to everyday means to make ends meet.

Despite the discomfort in sharing this information, the statement reflects the profound and far-reaching effects of the USSR’s collapse, impacting the lives of individuals, including those within the echelons of power.

Putin’s reflections on the past highlight his long-standing lamentation over the fall of the Soviet Union—a political structure he devoted years to serving as a KGB agent.

By all accounts, Putin struggled to make ends meet in the months immediately after his return to Russia from East Germany in early 1990.

However, by May of that year, he had secured a position as an aide to Anatoly Sobchak, his future mentor, on the Leningrad city council. Putin continued to be employed by the KGB until the failed coup attempt against Mikhail Gorbachev in August 1991.

By the following year, Putin’s office came under investigation for signing multimillion-dollar contracts to export raw materials such as oil and timber in exchange for food.

Although the raw materials were shipped out, the food never arrived, and the companies granted export licenses quickly disbanded. Opposition politicians claimed this could have cost the city as much as $100 million, though Putin has denied any wrongdoing in the affair.

He has referred to the event as “the greatest geopolitical disaster of the 20th century,” illustrating the deep-rooted significance the Union holds for him.

The collapse ushered in a period of economic turmoil and uncertainty, leading many Russians, including Putin, to find unconventional ways to cope with the financial instability.

His brief period as a taxi driver, albeit a source of discomfort for the president, is a poignant reminder of the transformative and often arduous transition from communism to capitalism that marked the era.

The disclosure about his taxi driving days offers a glimpse into the personal struggles even high-ranking officials faced during one of Russia’s most challenging times.

Relevant articles:
– Vladimir Putin said he drove a taxi for extra cash after the Soviet Union’s fall, Yahoo
– Vladimir Putin says he resorted to driving a taxi after fall of Soviet Union, The Guardian
– Putin says he drove taxi after Soviet fall to make ends meet, Al Jazeera
– Putin says he drove taxi after fall of Soviet Union – DW – 12, DW