The Rundown - Institute of Modern Russia

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What Next for Sistema, In Memory of Lyudmila Alekseeva, Constitution Day

Russian media roundup, December 1-14, 2018

Details: 14 December 2018

In this week’s roundup, Russian political commentators focus on the latest developments in the Putin regime’s structure, including the latest congress of the United Russia party and the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the 1993 Russian Constitution. On a different front, both Russian activists and government officials were remembering Lyudmila Alekseeva, a symbol of the Russian human rights movement, who passed away on December 8.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Primorye Debacle, Tragicomic “Spygate,” Syria Deal

Russian media-roundup, September 15-21, 2018

Details: 21 September 2018

In this week’s roundup, the runoff election in the Primorye region ended in an unprecedented rigging of the vote in favor of the Kremlin candidate and later in a no less unprecedented cancelling of the election results. Another story that played out was the follow-up of RT’s controversial interview with two Russians accused of the Salisbury attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter. Finally, the downing of another Russian plane in Syria created tensions between Moscow and Tel-Aviv.

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Russian Electoral Results, Zolotov vs. Navalny, Ruble’s Troubles

Russian media roundup, September 8-14, 2018

Details: 14 September 2018

In this week’s roundup, political experts and sociologists analyze the September 9 elections in Russia where the Kremlin candidates showed underwhelming results. Another big story that shook the liberal corner of Russian society was the video message released by the head of the Russian National Guard Viktor Zolotov threatening oppositionist Alexei Navalny. Finally, the ruble volatility has been especially noticeable this week as the new U.S. sanctions loom large.

Details: Media Must-Reads

September 9 Elections, Pension Protest Potential, Zakharchenko’s Death

Russian media roundup, September 1-7, 2018

Details: 07 September 2018

In this week’s roundup: a series of local, regional and other elections scheduled to take place on September 9 in Russia is expected to have a low turnout and a decreased rating for the “party of power.” Another story is Vladimir Putin’s decision to soften the controversial pension reform, which was announced in a national televised presidential address. Finally, the assassination of Alexander Zakharchencko, leader of the DNR, triggered a new wave of discussions about the future of the Donbass conflict.

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New Macroregions, “Voluntary” Investment, September Elections

Russian media roundup, August 25-31, 2018

Details: 31 August 2018

In this week’s roundup: one of the somewhat overlooked developments this week was an idea, introduced by the Economic Ministry, to divide Russia into 14 macroregions. Some experts view it as a precursor to potential constitutional reform. In the follow-up discussion of the presidential aide’s controversial proposal to seize corporate “superprofits,” the government reframed the idea as “voluntary investment.” Finally, the Moscow election campaign has hit the home stretch, with the incumbent mayor promising Moscovites all kinds of perks.

Institute of Modern Russia

Latest Articles

What Next for Sistema, In Memory of Lyudmila Alekseeva, Constitution Day

Russian media roundup, December 1-14, 2018

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

Russian media roundup, November 10-30, 2018

Primorye Challenge, Ukraine Sanctions, Russian Responsibility

Russian media roundup, October 27 — November 9, 2018

Putin’s Foreign Policy, Kerch Shooting, Church Breakup

Russian media roundup, October 13-26, 2018

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

Russian media roundup, September 29—October 12, 2018

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

Russian media roundup, September 22-28, 2018

Primorye Debacle, Tragicomic “Spygate,” Syria Deal

Russian media-roundup, September 15-21, 2018

Russian Electoral Results, Zolotov vs. Navalny, Ruble’s Troubles

Russian media roundup, September 8-14, 2018

September 9 Elections, Pension Protest Potential, Zakharchenko’s Death

Russian media roundup, September 1-7, 2018

New Macroregions, “Voluntary” Investment, September Elections

Russian media roundup, August 25-31, 2018

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