Yeltsin's photojournalist told about the preparation of his resignation address

Yury Feklistov, a photojournalist for former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, said on December 31 that the preparation of the former head of state's resignation address was conducted in secret.

"It was a very secret operation, so that there would be no leaks. Usually the address was recorded in advance, two or three days in advance in the Kremlin. Lights, a Christmas tree, heavy equipment are put up, and it's all filmed, there's no secrecy in that. And then the recording is broadcast on the night of January 31 to January 1. This time it was filmed in the daytime," he told TASS.

According to Feklistov, Yeltsin's decision struck him then. The journalist was later told that the text of the appeal was written by former presidential advisor Valentin Yumashev.

Feklistov also recalled that Naina Yeltsina, the president's wife, cried tears of joy over the fact that her husband had been relieved of the burden of such responsibility on the eve of the next election.

After leaving office, Yeltsin felt better as he was able to improve his health and travel, said a journalist who worked with him for more than 10 years.

Yeltsin was president of the Russian Federation from 1991 to 1999. On December 31, 1999, he announced his decision to resign in a televised address. Vladimir Putin became acting president of the country, and in March 2000 he was elected president in early elections. Yeltsin died on April 23, 2007.