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The Memorial situation as a conclusive diagnosis

Details: 19 November 2021; Ekaterina Mishina

On November 11, the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office ordered the liquidation of International Memorial, a historical, educational, philanthropic, and advocacy organization, as well as its branches, including the Memorial Human Rights Center. It was alleged that these organizations had repeatedly violated the “foreign agent” law. In reality, what is happening is not just the result of the continuous search for enemies and witch hunts in the country, but also the blatant disregard of the legal stances of Russia’s Constitutional Court.

Details: Analysis

The Belarusian border crisis: Russia’s responsibility for Lukashenko’s rogue regime

Details: 13 November 2021; Michael Wasiura*

Since June, the Belarusian state has been importing migrants from Africa and the Middle East, transporting them west from Minsk to the borders of the European Union, and deploying armed guards to prevent the refugees from returning to Belarusian territory. Russian officials’ failure to denounce the actions of its Union State partner make the Kremlin complicit in this scheme, even if there is—as of yet—no hard evidence directly tying Russian security services to the Belarusian human trafficking operation.

Details: Analysis

Why Putin is making big plans for the Russian Far East

Details: 12 November 2021; Dmitry Shlapentokh

In September, Vladimir Putin gave a speech in the Russian Far East, promising expansive development of the region, including the creation of new cities, and enhanced economic and educational opportunities. The president claimed that development of the Far East will be Russia’s priority, not just for years but for centuries to come. Why such an interest?

Details: Human Rights

October 2021: Sergei Savelyev and torture in prison colonies, Ivan Safronov, Vyacheslav Yegorov

Details: 08 November 2021; Diana Fishman

In October, several events simultaneously highlighted the cruelty and illegitimacy of the Russian judicial and penitentiary systems. The Gulagu.net human rights advocacy project published video recordings from the archives of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) that show the torture and rape of Russian prison colony inmates. The materials were provided by whistleblower Sergei Savelyev, a Belarussian programmer and former FSIN prisoner, who is already facing criminal charges. Pressure is also increasing on journalist Ivan Safronov, a Russian citizen accused of treason. Civic activist Vyacheslav Yegorov has been convicted under the controversial “Dadin article” of the Russian Criminal Code.

Details: Analysis

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”

Two scholars discuss the lessons of the Soviet collapse

Details: 01 November 2021; Liya Wizevich

In the runup to the 30th anniversary of the USSR’s dissolution, prominent Russian experts Vladimir Mau and Vladimir Gelman discuss the inevitability of the Soviet collapse, the fall of 1991 as a period of revolution, and the impact of the following decade’s legacy on modern Russia.

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