In this Nov 8, 2018 file photo, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev attends the Moscow premier of a film made by Werner Herzog and British filmmaker Andre Singer based on their conversations, in Moscow, Russia. (ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO / AP)
MOSCOW – Former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev has died at the age of 91, Russian media reported on Tuesday.
"Mikhail Sergeevich Gorbachev died this evening after a serious and long illness," the Central Clinical Hospital was quoted as saying.
Born in March 1931, Gorbachev served as president of the Soviet Union from March 1990 to December 1991.
READ MORE: Gorbachev calls for preventing new arms race
President Vladimir Putin expressed deep condolences over his death.
"President Putin expresses deep condolences over the death of Mikhail Gorbachev," Russia's RIA Novosti news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying.
"In the morning, he will send a telegram of condolences to Gorbachev's family and friends," the spokesman added.