Yuri Luzhkov, former mayor of Moscow revered for his transformative credentials, is dead, the Washington Post has reported.
He was 83.
His death was caused by heart surgery complications.
Mr Luzhkov rose to the mayoralty in 1992 and served until 2010, pursuing an aggressive transformation agenda that saw the overhaul of the Moscow municipality.
He is credited with being a hands-on leader who delivered on his campaign promises, unlike other leaders who abandoned their pledges once in office.
The late former mayor championed efforts aimed at returning Russia back to the glories of the Soviet empire, efforts that have seen the current Russian head of state Vladimir Putin become extremely popular with the masses.
His 18-year sting as the mayor of Moscow was not without blemish as human rights advocates accused him of promoting harsh policies against the less fortunate in the society.
Luzhkov was dismissed from his position as mayor by then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and left his country for London where he remained vocal about topical issues.
He was one of the founders of the governing United Russia party according to the New York Times.
President Vladimir Putin conveyed his condolences through the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Pescov.
“They worked together for many years, and the president has always valued Luzhkov’s contribution both to the development of such a giant metropolis (that Moscow is) and to the economy of our country,” Pescov said as quoted by San Diego Union Tribune.