
Is Boris Nemtsov A-List?
No — Boris Nemtsov is currently ranked B tier — a well-known figure with a strong career but not quite a household name.
Reached A-list in 1997
First Deputy Prime Minister
Lost A-list status in 1998
Dropped to B tier — Russian Financial Crisis Fallout
Ranking Timeline
Advisor to Yeltsin
Young physicist becomes a political advisor during the final years of the Soviet Union. His reformist ideas catch the attention of Boris Yeltsin.
Governor of Nizhny Novgorod
Appointed as one of Russia's youngest governors, he implements radical market reforms that become a model for post-Soviet economic transformation. His success attracts international attention.
First Deputy Prime Minister
Reaches the peak of his government career as Yeltsin's right-hand man, overseeing Russia's economic reforms. He becomes one of the most powerful figures in Russian politics.
Russian Financial Crisis Fallout
The ruble crisis damages his political standing and he loses his government position. This marks the beginning of his transition from power player to opposition figure.
Putin Era Begins, Opposition Role
As Putin assumes power, Nemtsov becomes increasingly critical of the new administration. He transitions from government insider to opposition leader, maintaining influence but losing direct power.
Co-founds Solidarity Opposition Movement
Becomes a prominent leader of the Russian opposition, organizing protests and publishing reports critical of Putin's regime. Despite facing harassment, he maintains his position as a key democratic voice.
Assassinated Near the Kremlin
Shot and killed in Moscow just days before a planned opposition rally, his murder sends shockwaves through the international community. The assassination elevates him to martyr status for Russian democracy advocates.
Symbol of Russian Opposition
Remembered as a courageous opposition leader who sacrificed his life for democratic principles in Russia. His legacy continues to inspire anti-authoritarian movements, and his unsolved murder remains a symbol of political repression.
Last updated: February 25, 2026