Final answer:
Boris Godunov was a capable and ruthless ruler whose reign was marked by challenges such as famine and foreign intervention, which, along with his tactics, led to political instability following his death.
Step-by-step explanation:
The kind of ruler Boris Godunov was can be characterized as capable, ruthless, and unlucky. Although there is some debate about his leadership, it's generally accepted that he was a capable administrator who managed to gain the throne of Russia after a period of political intrigue following the death of Tsar Feodor I, the last of the Rurik dynasty.
Boris Godunov's reign, from 1598 to 1605, came with challenges, including a famine, internal strife, and foreign intervention, which combined with his ruthless tactics to maintain power, led to an eventual decline in his authority and the period of turmoil known as the Time of Troubles. His rule ended with his sudden death, followed by instability until the establishment of the Romanov dynasty.