Analysis - Institute of Modern Russia

Latest Articles

Vladimir Gelman: “Russia’s leadership is increasingly facing problems of succession and lack of perspective”
“They keep attempting to extract testimony in exchange for my life”
Whither legitimacy? Lessons of Russia’s rigged elections
Scholars discuss a new book on Navalny adding touches to a portrait of the Russian opposition leader
The Biden-Zelensky summit: security, threats, and “working on mistakes”

Reserves of Money and Reserves of Patience

Details: Analysis

Reserves of Money and Reserves of Patience

Details: 18 February 2021; Vladislav Inozemtsev

By the end of 2020, the Russian economy was less affected by the pandemic than most of the G20 countries, with its GDP drop being one of the smallest in the group. This achievement, however, stands in stark contrast with the authorities’ inadequate reaction to Alexei Navalny’s return to Russia and the protests in his support. Skillfully conserving its financial reserves, the Kremlin is recklessly wasting resources of public trust, thus making the Russian political system increasingly vulnerable.

Can New Sanctions Against Russia Work?

Details: Analysis

Can New Sanctions Against Russia Work?

Details: 11 February 2021; Yana Gorokhovskaia

Last week, Alexei Navalny’s team announced that they would focus on achieving his release not through more street protests but through international policy tools such as sanctions. While more sanctions against Russia are likely, they remain a foreign policy tool with serious limitations.

Moscow vs Regions: Who “Feeds” Whom?

Details: Analysis

Moscow vs Regions: Who “Feeds” Whom?

Details: 04 February 2021; András Tóth-Czifra

The rift between “rich” Moscow and “poor” regions has deep roots in Russia, but the inequality between them has become alarmingly more pronounced in recent years, turning into a crucial political and economic issue. While the polemics about pampered Muscovites living off the regions’ money, or incompetent regional elites mismanaging their turfs, often capture public imagination, the real picture is more complicated.

What Is New in Russia’s Recent Protests

Details: Analysis

What Is New in Russia’s Recent Protests

Details: 03 February 2021; Yana Gorokhovskaia

In the past two weeks, Russians came out to the streets again in large numbers to support opposition leader Alexei Navalny and protest against the Putin regime. While some facets of the recent rallies and the regime’s reaction to them have remained the same over the years, new characteristics have also emerged, including ramped-up crackdown and angrier protesters.

Nagorno-Karabakh War and Russia’s Pursuit of Gas Interests

Details: Analysis

Nagorno-Karabakh War and Russia’s Pursuit of Gas Interests

Details: 02 February 2021; Dmitry Shlapentokh

The recent Azeri-Armenian war over Nagorno-Karabakh was one of the fiercest conflicts in post-Soviet history, leaving over 5,000 dead on both sides and tens of thousands displaced. After six weeks of heavy military action, a ceasefire deal was signed with Moscow’s mediation, but Russia’s initial reluctance to interfere raises questions about its true interests in the region.

The Kremlin Plays a Weak Hand in the Middle East

Details: Analysis

The Kremlin Plays a Weak Hand in the Middle East

Details: 27 January 2021; Vera Michlin-Shapir

As the Biden administration begins its first term, Russia remains one of the main challenges on the foreign policy front. While no reset is expected, some level of cooperation with the Kremlin is inevitable, including in the Middle East, where Russia has been consistently expanding its footprint. Still, recent developments on the ground indicate that the Kremlin’s diplomatic efforts in the region are less successful than it would like them to seem.

How Navalny Transformed Russian Politics

Details: Analysis

How Navalny Transformed Russian Politics

Details: 22 January 2021; Yana Gorokhovskaia

The latest developments around Alexei Navalny’s return to Russia have triggered a dangerous power play between the oppositionist and the Putin regime. Regardless of the numbers of people who come to rally in Navalny’s support on January 23, his impact on Russian politics will transcend this moment.

Crime and Exposure

Details: Analysis

Crime and Exposure

What the investigation into Navalny’s poisoning means for the Putin regime

Details: 23 December 2020; Olga Khvostunova

The past week in Russian politics unraveled like a three-part drama. On December 14, the investigation into the poisoning of Alexei Navalny was released, showing that the FSB was behind the attempt on his life. On December 17, Vladimir Putin admitted the surveillance of the oppositionist, but denied the involvement of the special services. On December 21, the recording of Navalny’s conversation with an FSB officer who had unwittingly revealed the details of the poisoning operation was made public, leaving no doubt about the veracity of the investigation. While Navalny’s exposés have dealt a severe blow to the Putin regime, the question of their impact on Russian society remains open..

Russia Expands its Foothold in Africa

Details: Analysis

Russia Expands its Foothold in Africa

Details: 11 December 2020; Ksenia Svetlova

On December 8, the Russian government officially announced its agreement with Sudan to build a modern port and establish a navy base for at least 25 years. The new port, along with Russia’s base in the Syrian city of Tartus, will strengthen its military presence in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

How Russia’s environmental issues increase risks for the Kremlin

Details: Analysis

How Russia’s environmental issues increase risks for the Kremlin

Details: 02 December 2020; András Tóth-Czifra

Environmental issues have led to unusually resilient protest movements in several Russian regions over the past years. According to the latest data, air pollution in the country has increased by three times this year compared to 2019—a record high over the last 16 years. What do these developments indicate and what do they mean for Russian politics?

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