Claire Bigg covers Russia, Ukraine, and the post-Soviet world, with a focus on human rights, civil society, and social issues.
Environmentalists from across Russia gathered outside Moscow on 5 June to found a new political party, The Union of Greens. Its leader, a prominent nuclear safety activist, said the goal of the new party is to campaign for the rights of Russians to a healthier environment. He expressed hope that the Union of Greens will meet the same success as its German counterpart and grow into a key political force.
Gazprom, Russia's state-owned gas monopoly, acquired control today of the prominent "Izvestia" daily newspaper. Gazprom is the same state-owned entity that four years ago took control of NTV, a major television station critical of the government, after a battle between the Kremlin and NTV's owner. Now, the purchase of "Izvestiya" has raised fears that the Kremlin will clamp down on one of the country's most independent and professional dailies.
Mikhail Khodorkovskii The stiff jail sentence handed to Russian oil magnate Mikhail Khodorkovskii on 31 May has once again focused the world’s attention on the group of super-rich and powerful Russians known as the "oligarchs.” President Vladimir Putin this week seems to have scored a crucial victory in his campaign to wrest the fortunes back from those who grabbed Russia’s choice assets in the 1990s. With Khodorkovskii fallen from grace, what fate awaits the remaining oligarchs in Putin’s Russia?
Khordorkovskii (file photo) The nine-year sentence that wrapped up the trial of Yukos founder Mikhail Khodorkovskii yesterday has trained the international spotlight on Russia. Observers have widely slammed the verdict as a move by the Kremlin to crush the oil tycoon’s perceived political ambitions and punish him for funding opposition parties. To what extent will Khodorkovskii’s heavy sentence now act as a deterrent for politically-involved Russian businessmen?
Cossack leaders received Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Don region this week to discuss the revival of the legendary Tsarist cavalry corps. Putin in April submitted a bill to the State Duma that would allow Cossacks to serve as soldiers, police, and border guards. Some experts are eyeing the bill with concern, noting that Cossacks have been known for cracking down on ethnic minorities in southern Russia. They fear that the formation of Cossack military units could ignite tensions in the volatile region.
Moscow, 25 May 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Russian environmentalists have called on the government to review its energy policy and give up plans to build dozens more nuclear reactors in Russia, warning that perceived corruption and incompetence in the industry could lead to a massive nuclear catastrophe.
The parliament of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania has given its final approval to legislation that would downgrade the title of the region's leader from "President" to "Head of the Republic." While the republic's leader would retain all previous powers, the parliament insists Russia must have only one president -- Vladimir Putin. Analysts say other Russian regions could soon adopt similar legislation. They view the move in North Ossetia as part of a Kremlin-led campaign to increase Putin's standing and to rein in ambitious regional leaders.
The State Duma today approved in its first reading a package of amendments aimed at penalizing media outlets for reprinting or rebroadcasting erroneous news reports during electoral campaigns. Experts voice concern over the Kremlin-initiated bill, saying that passing it into law could force some news outlets to close down.
Religious rights are regularly violated in Russia, human rights groups charged today in Moscow. They said believers of Christian confessions other than the Russian Orthodox Church are increasingly discriminated against in Russia. They also highlighted the negative attitude towards Muslims in Russia, describing it as particularly disquieting.
Russia and Estonia today signed a long-awaited border treaty, whose stalled approval has tainted relations between the two countries for almost a decade. The treaty demarcates part of what now is the European Union's new eastern boundary and is expected to pave the way for deeper ties between Russia and the EU.
Fifty-two years after his death, Soviet leader Josef Stalin still has a special place in the heart of many Russians. The 60th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany this week has once again brought questions about his legacy to the forefront. Stalin has long entered Western history books as a ruthless dictator. But in Russia, observers and opinions polls are suggesting that the man who ruled the Soviet Union for almost 30 years and was responsible for millions of deaths is back in favor.
Pensioners protesting in Moscow in January The gap between rich and poor in Russia continues to widen, according to a recent state report on social and economic development. Despite record-high oil prices and rising salaries, much of Russia's wealth still fails to trickle down. While the ultra-rich rake in more millions, a series of social reforms are threatening to push the destitute further into poverty. Is more social unrest on the cards?
President Putin (file photo) Moscow, 9 May 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Leaders of the 12-nation Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) gathered in Moscow yesterday on the sidelines of celebrations to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who headed the summit, reaffirmed the pertinence of the CIS and called on its members to join forces in fighting terrorism.
A Red Army veteran marking the anniversary at a WWII memorial complex in Moscow today Moscow, 9 May 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Moscow today launched festivities to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II with a lavish Red Square parade observed by more than 50 heads of state.
The Kremlin has long been haunted by the fear of Islamic fundamentalism spreading in Russia. The ongoing war in predominantly Muslim Chechnya and the wave of terrorist attacks that hit Russia last summer have served to fuel these fears. The number of Muslims brought before Russian courts for alleged links with the banned radical Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir is on the rise. But ordinary Muslims say they are taking the brunt of the government's campaign to stamp out terrorism in the country.
Russian Nationalists at a Moscow rally in 2004 Russia may seem like an unlikely breeding ground for neo-Nazism considering the devastation German Nazi troops wrought on the country. On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, however, Russian human rights groups are warning of growing ultra-nationalist feelings in the country. RFE/RL correspondent Claire Bigg reports from Moscow.
Putin (in file photo) called the USSR's breakup the "biggest geopolitical catastrophe of the century" In his state-of-the-nation address on 25 April, Russian President Vladimir Putin surprised the West by calling the Soviet Union's collapse the "biggest geopolitical catastrophe of the century." His declaration, however, has caused little stir at home. Political analysts view the Russian president's comments as simply an attempt to lift his declining popularity rating among the elderly.
Up to 60 percent of Russians are believed to be pensioners, children, or disabled -- all of which are outside the workforce Moscow, 28 April 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Experts have long warned that political instability, low living standards, and poor health are taking their toll on Russia's population, but politicians have begun to raise the alarm as well.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (file photo) Moscow, 26 April 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin today launched a Middle East tour during which he hopes to revive Russia's Soviet-era influence in the region. It is the first visit to Israel ever by a Russian or Soviet leader, as well as the first official visit to Egypt in 40 years.
President Putin (file photo) Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual state-of-the-nation address on 25 April, identifying the country's main political task as bolstering democracy and strengthening the judicial and political system but also warning that Russia will decide for itself how best to develop its democracy.
Load more
