Former Soviet Leader Gorbachev Released From Hospital

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has been released from a Moscow hospital.

The Interfax news agency quoted Gorbachev as saying on October 10 that his condition "is much better today than it was yesterday and the doctors concluded that it is possible for me to be released."

Gorbachev told Interfax he was on his way to work.

Russian media reported on October 9 that Gorbachev, 83, was in the hospital, but did not say where or why.

He told Interfax on October 9 that his health was deteriorating.

Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985 and resigned in December 1991 as the country broke apart.

He is hailed in the West for instituting sweeping political and economic reforms but reviled by many in Russia who blame him for the Soviet collapse.

Based on reporting by Interfax and RIA Novosti