Russia Profile

Russia is huge both literally and metaphorically. Aside from its physical bulk, it has loomed like a specter over the west for decades. Because of its size and history, people all over the world made up legends and myths about …

The financial system of the Russian Federation is a combination of various areas and norms of financial relations, each of which is characterized by their own features and they play own role in the formation of the budget. Russia has …

Clans and confined groups, based on the principles of geography and the fact of personal links, have always played an important part in the highest levels of power in the Soviet Union and then in Russia. After Vladimir Putin came …

Dear Russia Profile readers,

As of Wednesday, July 26, Russia Profile as a project is fully merging with the editorial team of RIA Novosti’s English-language Web site . This decision by RIA Novosti management is part of a greater rearrangement of the company’s English-language resources. From now on, Russia Profile journalists will join our colleagues at the main English desk, whose editors assume full responsibility for possible future transformations of the brand. I am also staying with RIA Novosti... Читать дальше...

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called for an increase in the pace of Russian rearmament on Monday – a move analysts say could draw a new line in the sand and make a new battle over military spending inevitable. Russia needs “a different pace of rearmament, which is especially important considering the adoption of a unified system of pricing for weapons," Medvedev told industry executives during a visit to an arms-producing plant. His call came as Finance Minister Anton Siluanov tries to persuade... Читать дальше...

The scapegoats for the devastating flooding earlier this month in the southern Russian city of Krymsk have been singled out by the authorities. And they are, as it happens, the authorities themselves: three regional officials have been sacked and arrested on charges of official negligence. Yet even though the Kremlin has found someone to blame, the move is unlikely to quell any of the discontent over the official mismanagement of the crisis, experts say.

Russia Profile brings you some of the best analysis on top stories in Russia today. But there’s always more behind them. Each Friday, our writers provide their own take on the news, offering unique commentary to put events into a different perspective. This week, Dan Peleschuk ponders the newly-emerging Islamist threat in Tatarstan and Tai Adelaja wonders if we do need a dress code in our Constitution.

Russian legislators have been busy unraveling key reforms that could have strengthened Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, spurring speculation that the Kremlin is working behind the scenes to weaken the former president. Since reclaiming the presidency in May, Vladimir Putin initiated a series of counter-reforms, culminating in the adoption of highly unpopular laws by Russian senators this week. The senators, who started a month-long summer recess on Wednesday, approved a number of legislative measures... Читать дальше...

Russia’s Prosecutor General has disclosed the results of an investigation revealing that private collection agencies have been using threats and sheer force to recover debts on behalf of banks. The revelation seems to be part of a troubling trend in which citizens are being intimidated by higher powers, whether official or private, and provides some credence to critics’ claims that everyday repression in Russia may be just as present as ever.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday co-opted leaders of the country’s parliamentary opposition into the State Council, as opposition figures continue calling for protests and the government fears further political instability. Kremlin spin-doctors are touting the move – Putin’s first political gesture toward systemic opposition since returning to the Kremlin in May – as a way to improve relations with the parliamentary opposition parties, many of which have been dissatisfied with some of the Kremlin's initiatives. Читать дальше...