Russian journalist reveals secret operation behind ex-President Yeltsin's resignation address

Russian journalist and photojournalist Yuri Feklistov, who worked closely with the country's first president Boris Yeltsin for over 10 years, has revealed new details about the latter's resignation address.

According to Feklistov, the preparation for Yeltsin's resignation address as president of Russia was shrouded in secrecy, with the operation being tightly controlled to prevent any leaks, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

“This was a very secret operation, to ensure no leaks occurred. Normally, the address would be recorded two or three days in advance in the Kremlin. They would set up the lights, place the Christmas tree, and use heavy equipment to film it—all of this was done in the open. But this time, it was filmed during the day,” Feklistov said.

According to Feklistov, Yeltsin's decision to step down came as a surprise to him. He described the atmosphere surrounding the resignation announcement as being both unexpected and emotionally charged.

“The announcement was made before the New Year,” Feklistov recalled. “Yeltsin said words that gave me goosebumps. The text of the speech was written by [then-time Advisor to Yeltsin] Valentin Yumashev.”

Feklistov also shared personal insights into Yeltsin's emotional response to the resignation. On that day, Yeltsin's wife, Naina, was seen in tears—not because she was sorrowful over his departure, but due to the sense of relief that the heavy burden was finally lifted from her husband.

“Naina Yeltsina was happy because there were still several months until the presidential election,” Feklistov explained. “She wasn’t sad that he was leaving, but relieved that it was finally over.”

Reflecting on the aftermath of Yeltsin’s resignation, Feklistov noted that the former president’s health improved significantly. “After his departure, he became healthier, lost weight, and started travelling to different countries, looking around and exploring.”

In the book of his memoirs "Prezidentskiy Marafon" (The Presidential Marathon), Boris Yeltsin wrote that on December 14, 1999, he first informed the head of government Vladimir Putin of his decision to resign early and offered him the presidency. Earlier, on August 9, 1999, when Vladimir Putin was appointed Prime Minister of Russia, Yeltsin stated in an address to citizens that he saw him as his successor.

On December 29, 1999, a meeting took place between Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin, during which they finally approved the procedure for the transfer of power. The text of Boris Yeltsin's resignation address to citizens, prepared by Yumashev, was finally edited by the president on December 30.

According to the official website of the Russian president, at 09:25 Moscow time on December 31, 1999, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived at the Kremlin to meet with the president.

In the hours that followed, Boris Yeltsin signed a new law on Russian presidential elections.

By Khagan Isayev