Putin noted Anatoly Sobchak's contribution to the formation of modern Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin noted his contribution to the formation of modern Russia at a memorial evening for Anatoly Sobchak at the St. Petersburg Philharmonic on February 19.

"That is how bright, unusual he was for his university colleagues and, of course, for us, for his students, among whom I was also," the president specified.

Putin also emphasized that the first mayor of St. Petersburg was a bright and unusual person and a top-notch lawyer who remained committed to the principles of law, justice and human dignity.

"He was among those who laid the foundations of modern Russia. As mayor, he thought big and deep," the president emphasized.

"Sobchak was writing the history of the first phase of modern Russia"

On the 25th anniversary of the politician's death, Izvestia talked to his associates and recalled how he became one of the symbols of change

Earlier in the day, Putin laid flowers at the monument to the first mayor of St. Petersburg Anatoly Sobchak on Vasilyevsky Island in connection with the 25th anniversary of his death.

The first mayor of St. Petersburg died in February 2000 of acute heart failure. Putin unveiled a monument to him on Vasilyevsky Island six years later, in June 2006.