Stories about Russia from August, 2006
Former Soviet Union: 15 Years Since the August Coup
Today is 15 years since the beginning of the events that some people consider (RUS) Russia's Orange Revolution – but which are better known as the August Putsch. This year, on August 20 and 21, memorial services will be held in Moscow for Dmitry Komar, Ilya Krichevsky and Vladimir Usov,...
Ukraine: Trip to Kyiv
Moscow-based Digenis spends some time in Kyiv and compares it to Russia's capital, among other things.
Russia: Solzhenitsyn's Speech
Ivan Lenin of Rush-Mush critiques the speech Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's gave at Harvard in 1978.
Russia: Real Estate and Oil
Yuri Mamchur of Russia Blog examines whether there is a connection between real estate prices in Russia and the oil prices; his conclusion: “Even if the oil prices miraculously collapsed to $15 a barrel tomorrow, real estate prices in Russia will only continue to go up.”
Russia: The Meaning of August 19, 1991
Sean's Russia Blog writes about the upcoming 15th anniversary of the Soviet Union's breakup.
Poland, Russia: Mutual Blockades and Other Issues
Copydude writes about the blockade of the Polish Port of Elblag by Russia, the visa blockade of Kaliningrad Russians by Poland, and other aspects of Poland's complex relationship with Russia on one side and Germany on the other.
Russia: Chechen Lawyer Beaten by Chechen Policeman
David McDuff of A Step At A Time translates a Prague Watchdog article about “force without justice”: “'Thereupon [the police station’s acting head], insulting both the lawyer and his client in language that can’t be quoted, leapt up from his seat and punched [the lawyer] in the face, after which...
Russia, Estonia: Forest Fires
David McDuff of A Step At A Time writes about forest fires in Russia's Leningrad region and in Estonia.
Ukraine: Former Citizen Leads Israel Peace Movement
Sean's Russia Blog writes about Jana Kanapova, who emigrated from Ukraine 11 years ago and, together with Khulud Badawi, an Arab-Israeli from Haifa, is involved in the Women's Peace Coalition and the Ta'ayush organization.
Russia: Real Estate and Chinese Investors
Russia Blog writes about Moscow real estate and the Chinese investors’ plans for Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Ukraine: Crimean Germans Deportation Anniversary
J. Otto Pohl writes about the 65th anniversary of the removal of the Crimean Germans to Kazakhstan, via North Caucasus, and about the impossibility of determining the exact number of Russian Germans deported in 1941.
Russia: On Foreigner-Oriented Women
Tim Newman of White Sun of the Desert writes about “the myth of Russian women” – which seems to be as popular among some as the myth of the “mysterious Russian soul.”
Russia: “The Presidential Panic”
Ruminations on Russia writes about post-Putin “transition risk” and explains what's in store for those willing to make business in Russia.
Russia: Y2K Panic
Copydude writes about the groundless Y2K panic in the West: “It was one of many such reports which prompted Washington to evacuate all inessential staff from its embassies in Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. Meanwhile, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office declared two thirds of Russia’s airports unsafe and counselled...
Russia: Paratroopers’ Day Photos
LJ user sholademi posts pictures from this year's celebration of the Paratroopers’ Day in Moscow on June 2. He also reviews (RUS) what Russian bloggers have been saying about the day on which lots of people prefer to leave the city to avoid the paratroopers’ rough behavior.
Russia: Army Cruelty
Yuri Mamchur of Russia Blog writes about another case of cruelty in the Russian army.
Russia: Portraits of Putin
Samson Sholademi – LJ user sholademi, journalist of a Russian tabloid Express Gazeta – displays a unique drawing collection on his blog: portraits of Russia's president Vladimir Putin, made by children (mainly). There is Putin “relaxing at home, reading a book to his doggie Kony” (by Vika Lvova, 9), and...
Russia: Hermitage Thefts
Sean's Russia Blog reports on the theft of 221 exhibits from the Hermitage.
Russia: Competing for Airbus Crash Victims
Yuri Mamchur of Russia Blog writes about the competition between U.S. and U.K. law firms to represent those who suffered in the Airbus A-310 crash in Irkutsk in July.
Russia: Russian “Chochkas”
Michael Averko of Russia Blog writes about toy Soviet tanks, hammer-and sickle-and-red-star jerseys, two-headed-eagle sweatshirts: his favorite Russia-related “chochkas.”
Russia, Ukraine: “A Russian Looks at Western Democracy”
Tim Newman of White Sun of the Desert disagrees with a post by Konstantin of Russian Blog “on the failure of western democracy.”