Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev dies aged 91

Former Soviet leader Mikahil Gorbachev has died aged 91, Russian news agencies are reporting tonight.

Mr Gorbachev was undergoing treatment at Central Clinical Hospital for what has been described as a ‘long and serious illness’

Agencies including Tass, RIA Novosti and Interfax reported he had died.

Mr Gorbachev, hailed as one of the most influential politicians of the 20th century, became general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party in 1985.

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