Russia Monitor Articles
A conflict in Syria. A Mystery of the An-26 Catastrophe
This is another bad information for Kremlin coming from Syria. The closer the presidential elections, the more Russian victims of the war, which was officially declared by Vladimir Putin as completed victory in December last year.
Gazprom Threatened by Domestic Competitors
A major defeat of Russian state-controlled gas monopoly Gazprom in a conflict with Ukraine’s Naftogaz as well as some problems with obtaining financing for such projects as Nord Stream 2 and the Turkish Stream pipeline may eventually weaken the company’s position also against its domestic competitors.
Putin among his Fellows
At the very end of the campaign preceding the presidential elections on March 18, Vladimir Putin toughens his rhetoric by acting as the supreme leader of the nation threatened by the internal and external enemies. After his proclamation to the Federal Assembly devoted mainly to external dangers, Putin participated in the expanded FSB meeting.
A Blow into the Russian Money Laundry
A scandal concerning laundering Russian money in Baltic countries constantly evolves. It has already led to the bankruptcy of the third biggest in terms of stock Latvian ABLV bank, and now targets the biggest Danish bank. It is all an effect of actions taken by financial secret services of the USA, which may appear more acute for the Russian ruling elite than official sanctions.
More privileges for the Federal Protective Service
President Vladimir Putin extended the privileges of the Federal Protective Service. FSO will be entitled, inter alia, to operate in cyberspace. The enforcement of this service suggests that, at least in the nearest future, FSB, SVR and FSO will not merge into one super security resort.
Russians threaten with the “invisible” fighter
After shooting down the fighter by the rebels and the massacre of mercenaries in the Euphrates Valley, Russia returns with full power to the war in Syria. Two Russian stealth Su-57 aircrafts of the latest generation landed at Khmeimim Air Base.
Communists’ unfortunate maneuver
Replacing the eternal candidate Gennady Zyuganov with a new face in the upcoming presidential election was supposed to constitute an invigorating impulse for the Russian communists. However, the experiment with Pavel Grudinin shows something else, namely that the communist electorate in Russia is not going to change. Such a state of matters may eventually result with the party’s collapse.
Anti-Russian theatre of the oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc
The Prime Minister repeats his appeal in Munich for retreating the Russian army from Transnistria, an act restricting the Russian propaganda comes into force, and the Head of the Parliament warns, that the closer the election, the bigger the Moscow’s interference in domestic issues of Moldova.
Problems with the Turkish Stream project
There are black clouds over one of Gazprom’s flagship projects, which has three main goals. The Turkish Stream may enable the resignation of the transit of Russian gas through Europe, increase gas exports to Europe as well as it may make it possible to transfer public funds to companies that belong to businessmen from Putin’s circle.
Federal clean-up in Dagestan
The head of the government and the mayor of the capital are put behind bars, a lot of resignations are handed in and the landings of officials from the outside are made – this is how the anti-corruption operation in Dagestan is being carried out.
Shoigu’s revenge
There are many indications that Russian troops in Syria intentionally exposed mercenaries from so-called Wagner Group to slaughter. Conflicts between the army and warriors appeared a long time ago.
Russia’s mind games with Iskander missiles
The dislocation of the Iskander missile systems in the Kaliningrad Oblast is of major political significance. On the one hand, it is an attempt to put pressure on the West and to fuel fears of a military threat aimed at stopping the process of strengthening NATO’s Eastern flank.
Lukoil on sale?
Shareholders of one of the biggest Russian oil companies have recently made several decisions, which suggest their willingness to sell shares for the highest possible price. Lukoil is an object of desire for powerful, state-owned companies, such as Rosneft and Gazprom.
Bastrykin’s Lonely End. Russian presidential election
An annual expanded meeting of the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office Board took place on February 15. On February 6, a similar convention took place within the structures of the Investigative Committee. Nevertheless, both events seem to differ in a significant way. Russia’s president took part in the first one where he gave a speech. The second one was attended only by Russia’s deputy prime minister, though.
Warsaw Institute
