Russia Monitor Monthly 06/2017
Contents
Quo vadis, Navalny?
The number one enemy of the Kremlin government must choose his political route for the future. He has proven his ability to mobilize tens of thousands of people all over the country to risk taking to the streets with anti-regime slogans.
Volodin’s ambitions
The upcoming presidential campaign increases tension between the Kremlin and the State Duma. Precisely, it regards the tension between the leadership of the Presidential Administration and the chairman of the lower house of the Russian parliament.
Black clouds over Gazprom
The United States has started a gas offensive in Central and Eastern Europe. Following the first LNG supply to Poland, supplies of American gas will also reach Lithuania.
Two attacks, two colonels dead
In the Ukrainian capital there was another attack whose victim appeared to be a person involved somehow in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Persecution in Crimea
Over the course of just two days in June, we’ve got information from the Russian-occupied peninsula that attests to the fact that the number of repressions towards critics and opponents of the annexation of Crime haven’t decreased.
Purges in the regions
This summer, elections of governors will be held in sixteen regions of the Russian Federation. But this is only one of many reasons for the unprecedented rise of political temperatures in the regions.
Election the Russian Way
Faced with increasing protests, the Russian regime is taking more steps to eliminate the risks connected with the upcoming elections.
A Clash in Syria
Recent US attacks at the allies of Russia in Syria have increased tension between Washington and Moscow.
Strategic Competitor
Adopting new sanctions against Russia by the US Senate is consistent with recently sharpened rhetoric used by high US Administration representatives.
Kremlin Is Threatened by the Protests
Recent demonstrations of many thousands do not target corruption, they are an attempt at a “color revolution” – is a recent message from Kremlin.
Nuclear Blackjack over Baltic Sea
As expected, the activity of Russian and NATO air force on the other side is getting stronger. It is connected with the ongoing NATO exercises and upcoming “Zapad 2017” exercises.
Brutal Repressions in Russia
For the second time in the last 2.5 months Alexei Navalny mobilized tens of thousands of people to take to the streets of Russian towns.
The National Guard Grows in Power
A recent presidential decree lets National Guard commanders take control over regular troops. According to some experts, this in a novelty in Russian security system; according to others, there have been similar precedents.
Russia – NATO. Tension Is in the Air.
The launch of Saber Strike training exercise in the Baltic region caused increased activity of Russian air forces. On the very day when NATO maneuvers began, Russian fighter jets intercepted US and Norwegian aircrafts.
Slavic Brotherhood against NATO
Belarus, Russia and Serbia are holding joint military exercises of landing troops close to the Polish border. The choice of time, place and participants is not accidental.
Korea, Sanctions and Sechin’s Man
Three Russian companies are on the US list of entities sanctioned in connection with North Korea’s nuclear program. Two of them are oil companies and they belong to Eduard Khudainatov, ex-president of Rosneft and Sechin’s man for years.
Setting Macedonia on Fire
In recent years, Russia has noticeably increased its activity in Western Balkans. Moscow attempts to undermine the EU and NATO aspirations of some former Yugoslavian countries.
New Armament Program
Russia braces itself for a possible war with the West not only in political terms, or in military doctrine documents, but also through skillfully crafted armaments program.
Anti-corruption Showcase
Federal Security Service have detained more senior officials accused of corruption. This is another revealed bribery case at the regional rather than central level.
Assassination Attempt in Kiev
In the centre of Ukraine’s capital, there was an attempt to assassinate a Chechen man whom Russia accuses of plotting to kill Vladimir Putin.
Warsaw Institute
