Although the Russian whom I met spoke ill of him, I respected and admired him. He was my hero. I couldn't forget the scene he was standing on a tank.

I think he was the bravest man in recent history. He fought against the gigantic communist party alone. He criticized Gorbachyov who tried to protect Communism. It was disguised as reform. Because of this, he almost lose his life.

I know he was far from a perfect man. The Russian had to suffer because of his blunders. He was pure and romantic person and not fit for the ruler. I believe he tried to do his best but he couldn't.

I think it is difficult for a man to achieve an aim in this complicated world.

Seiichi , Chiba, Japan

On occasion truly brave, perhaps even reckless, but no economic sense, and relied far too much on a small group of corrupt advisors. Two points - a plus and a minus - have been too often forgotten:

1) The 'divorce' from Ukraine, a 50 million population beast with nuclear weapons and potential powder keg of nationalities, was managed peacefully against all the odds, with no civil war, no nuclear brinksmanship, and little fanfare. For this we should be thankful.

2) His last act was to gain immunity not only for him, but also his family. His daughter especially enriched herself at her country's expense.

Alan , London, UK

Agree somewhat with trevorjd - it was Gorbachev who introduced 'perestroika' remember ? But credit should go to Yeltsin too of course.

CSRG, Aveiro, Portugal

In Russia we speak about death only good or nothing. Yeltsin was controversial person and leader and it seems very funny reading how people from the other part of the world speak about his role as a "true democracy leader".

Pavel, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

No comments on chechnya?
This 'great man' had caused a terrible bloodshed there and the West turned its eyes away.
Yeltsin may have given some light to Russia in a difficult period, but he has thrown dark and bloody shadows as well.

moritz, stralsund, germany

May be Yelstin took Russia to democracy? I say what democracy? The people of the great USSR are sufferring both economically, politically and socially. There is no life in present Russia. Ofcourse the western countries and America is happy to see the USSR loose its power and prestige in the world. The world is no safer place when communism was flourishing. I wish yelstin peace in his grave. Nothing more then that.

aftab Awan, lubbock, texas,USA

Frankly speaking, he was a very controversial figure. However, till the end of his presidency ,despite all the hardship of the transitional period Russians had enjoyed more freedom than ever before or now. On one hand, he was a member of the Soviet nomenclatura and a key figure in the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. On the other hand he was the man who brought the Soviet communism crashing down and brought Russia from captivity into freedom. Boris Yeltsin has entered the history as a great liberator of the Russian people. Russia has lost a great man.

Egor, Moscow, Russia

Mr. Yeltsin reduced the importance of countries which used Soviet Union as a position strengt.

can, turkey,

Gorbachov was a great politician and statesman, never underestimate what he did. Yeltsin cant touch him.
I dont think Yeltsin was that tallented a politician, but he stood in front of the tanks and looked the communists in the eye and said 'NO'.
He is undoubtedly a modern day hero he made a decisive move just when Russia was in turmoil, just when it was needed. A man with courage who was not afraid.

Audi Driver, Kelso, Roxburghshire

Worry not about the 'end of Communism'. If Gordon Brown become prime minister here, we are being offered the prospect of a Stalinist regime.

Rick, London, England

It's a miracle he made it to the age of 76. Irrespective, he will always have the respect of those who enjoy a drink or ten.

Marston, Berlin, Germany

It was not Yeltsin but Gorbachev who, in reality, was the architect of conversion from radical communism. He was never given the acclaim due to him as an intellectual and free thinking leader of his Country.

trevorjd, Torbay, Devon

For better or for worse,Yeltsin was a man of his hour and his legacy will remain not only in Russian history but in the history of mankind.

Tony Dibble, Perth, Australia

He was a great polıtıcıan ınstaurrıng the democracy and feedom, He passed threw very dıffıcult tımes of Russıan people, Russıa loved hım very much, I thıng one of hıs greate realısatıons ıs brıngıng to power V,Putın a very claver man who loves Russıa lıke hıs predecessor a man who emproved the lıfe of Russıan people, B,Yeltsın realısed throw V,Putın all he dıd not manege to do,

Natalıa, Camenca, Transnıstrıa,Moldova

One of the most global politics of the world has left

Ilya, Moscow, Russia

A true exploit,a true fighter,a true great man,everything he had done are for his nation and people.

Reacon, shanghai, PRC

it is the bad news for some people,everyone hope he can lead the life what he needs,freedom and peace,milk and bread,

thinker, beijing, china

Boris Yeltsin struggled fiercely against those communists who wanted to keep the role of the party. This party has been a criminal organization, which was responsible for the death of dozens of millions of Russians, Poles, Hungarians, and Czechs and from other dozen of nationalities since 1918. Maybe they were afraid, with their power lost, that many people will demand for their responsibilities, although Stalin and the old guard disappeared almost forty years before the fall of the Soviet Union. But we must be thankful to Boris Yeltsin for his efforts to dismantle the Soviet totalitarian state, goal that he had achieved only partially. Electing as his successor the former KGB officer Vladimir Putin was one of his worst mistakes, along side with the chaotic and extremely corrupted privatisation process in Russia, which had benefited the former “Nomenclature” most members of the Communist party, and “Apparatchiks” of the Soviet State. He didn't knew what kind of autocrat he appointed.

Louis v. Wetzler, Buenos Aires, Argentina

China needs such a man to bury the freak communism.

Henry, Beijing, China

A real shame: the world has lost a great man!

Ending communism must had not been an easy task for him, but it had to be done. However, there are still third world countries such as Cuba which still hold very strong to that terrible system! And there are others countries such as Venezuela, under the dictatorship of Hugo Chavez, which are still trying to insert a system that was buried in 1991. Bolivia is another one and I hope my country Ecuador will not follow those mad men!

Freedom and Democracy will always be the best choice for human beings!

Andy , Guayaquil , Ecuador