Russian ex-president Yeltsin dies
BBC News
Last Updated: Monday, 23 April 2007, 17:08 GMT 18:08 UK

Yeltsin oversaw a period of immense change in Russia

Boris Yeltsin, who played a key role in the Soviet Union's demise and became Russia's first president, has died aged 76, the Kremlin says.

Mr Yeltsin - who had a history of heart trouble - died of heart failure in hospital at 1545 (1145 GMT).