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Kerch Incident, Russia’s Economic Future, Who’s Afraid of Husky

Russian media roundup, November 10-30, 2018

Details: 30 November 2018

One of the most discussed developments of the last few weeks in Russia was the faceoff between Russia and Ukraine that occurred on November 25 in the Kerch Strait. While experts try to put this incident in the current political context, its long-term implications are unclear. Meanwhile, the Russian Economic Ministry released its outlook predicting, optimistically, that the economy will grow by 1.7 times by 2036. Finally, on the social front, the authorities are cracking down on popular musicians, with the arrest of a rapper called Husky garnering wide public attention as the bans on self-expression increase.

Details: Media Must-Reads

Primorye Challenge, Ukraine Sanctions, Russian Responsibility

Russian media roundup, October 27 — November 9, 2018

Details: 09 November 2018

In this week’s roundup, experts continue the discussion on the political precedent set by the Primorye Territory electoral controversies. Another debate unraveled around Russia’s sanctioning a number of Ukrainian nationals and legal entities in what seems a symbolic action. Finally, the recent Levada poll reveals Russians’ attitudes toward personal responsibility for the state of affairs in the country.

Details: Media Must-Reads

Putin’s Foreign Policy, Kerch Shooting, Church Breakup

Russian media roundup, October 13-26, 2018

Details: 26 October 2018

In this week’s roundup: over the last two weeks, two foreign policy stories made headlines in Russia, paradoxically reflecting the ongoing crumbling of the international order: Vladimir Putin’s annual foreign policy conference and the news that the U.S. will withdraw from the INF treaty. On the domestic front, last week Russia was shaken by its first-of-a-kind mass shooting in a Kerch college in Crimea. Finally, following months of deterioration in the bilateral relationship over the Ukrainian issue, the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided to sever ties with Constantinople.

Details: Media Must-Reads

Fall of the Governors, Putin’s Rating, Constitutional Reform Initiative

Russian media roundup, September 29—October 12, 2018

Details: 12 October 2018

These past two weeks, the reshuffle in the top echelons of the Russian political system continued, with several more governors losing their seats, including heavyweight Georgy Poltavchenko. Levada’slatest poll showed that Vladimir Putin’s rating had dropped by 20 points to 39 percent, most likely as a result of the pension reform. Finally, Chairman of Russia’s Constitutional Court Valery Zorkinproposed a limited constitutional reform, but it was not clear if the Kremlin supported the idea.

Details: Media Must-Reads

Kremlin Losing Grip, Cracks in the System, Border for Chechnya and Ingushetia

Russian media roundup, September 22-28, 2018

Details: 28 September 2018

In this week’s roundup, experts explored various aspects of the current —surprising —developments in Russian regional politics where the Kremlin has recently lost three governorships. Additionally, analysis of the Russian public mood suggests that people deeply distrust the state and mostly rely on themselves. Finally, in another important move in the regions, the Kremlin oversaw the signing of an agreement between Chechnya and Ingushetia, which establishes an official border between the two, thus ending the issue disputed since 1991.

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