Stories about Russia from September, 2007
Russia: President Lugovoi?
The Accidental Russophile writes about presidential ambitions of Russia's “polonium man” Andrei Lugovoi.
Russia: “Putin's Plan”
A few days ago, LJ user drugoi photographed a political ad on Leninsky Prospekt in Moscow and posted the picture on his blog. The ad read: "Putin's Plan - Russia's Victory!" The blogger asked an obvious question: "What's the plan, does anyone know?" And received 150 comments from his readers, some of which are translated here. (Plus, a bonus translation: the story of Victor Pipiskin.)
Russia: FSB Officer's Letter
A Step At A Time links to Ingushetia.ru‘s translation of a document “said to be a declaration by an officer of the FSB directorate for Stavropol province, confessing to his involvement in the organized abduction and killing of ethnic Chechens and Ingushes by the security forces.” A Russian-language discussion of...
Russia: Sakhalin Muslims
Window on Eurasia writes about Sakhalin Muslim “traditionalists” and “radicals.”
Russia: More on Zubkov
Mark MacKinnon and Europhobia discuss the mysterious Victor Zubkov, Russia's new prime minister and, according to Europhobia, potentially, “an ideal presidential caretaker during the term in which old Vlad is constitutionally unable to stand for office.”
Russia: “All Day Soviet Breakfast”
According to Copydude, “the number of operating hypermarkets in [Russia] does not exceed 150 for a population of 144 million.”
Russia: Russian Orphanage Graduates
Window on Eurasia writes on the tragic fate of nearly 90 percent of the Russian state orphanage graduates.
Russia, Saudi Arabia: Hajj Quota
This year, more Muslims from Russia are willing to go on the hajj to Mecca than there are slots allotted by the Saudi authorities. Window on Eurasia writes about the problems inherent in this situation.
Russia: “The Chechen Card”
Window on Eurasia writes that there is more than one way in which “the Chechen card” could be played in the 2008 presidential election.
Russia, Germany: Schroeder's Memoir
Eternal Remont comments on Gerhard Schroeder’s memoir – published in Russia by Gazprom.
Russia: High-Ranking Officials and Reckless Driving
Russia Blog writes about a deadly car accident caused by the motorcade of the head of Russia’s Supreme Court: “And as always when we hear about another preventable death on Russia's highways, we ask the question: is all of this insane driving by Russian officials justified, or is it just...
Russia: Surprise Nomination of Victor Zubkov
President Vladimir Putin accepted the resignation of Russia’s prime minister Mikhail Fradkov today and perplexed Russia-watchers by nominating Victor Zubkov, the little-known head of the Federal Financial Monitoring Service, for the premier's post. Here are a few reactions from English-language Russia blogs.
Russia: International Terrorism?
The Accidental Russophile writes about the difference between the Russian and American views of international terrorism: “Putin's most recent tour of southeast Asia was little more than an arms dealer visiting his new customers.”
Russia, U.S.: “Batman by Dostoyevsky”
The Accidental Russophile links to the “Batman by Dostoyevsky” comics, reproduced at Brian Hughes’ Again With The Comics: “This marriage of Classic Russian Literature and the Caped Crusader of Gotham also serves as further proof, if any were needed, that everything is better with Batman.” Judging by the comments, though,...
Russia, Israel: Neo-Nazi
Sean's Russia Blog writes: “Russian youth’s embrace of Nazism doesn’t just happen in Russia. It’s also happens where one might not initially expect: Israel.”
Russia: Oil and Gas
In his “third oil and gas blog post of the day,” Tim Newman of White Sun of the Desert writes: “In the summer of 2007, the Russian government backed themselves to deliver what no other country has yet managed: a route to prosperity based almost entirely on a nationalised oil...
Russia: Down's Syndrome Association, Part 2
Maaskva: Nashimi Glazami posts part 2 of an interview with Marina Tsarkova, co-founder of the Down's Syndrome Association.
Russia: Kaliningrad
Copydude writes that “it might appear that foreign investors are even less welcome than tourists” in Kaliningrad.
Russia: Ingushetia.ru Blog
A Step At A Time links to an English-language blog featuring news from Ingushetia.
Russia: Violence in Ingushetia
Attacks on civilians in Ingushetia have increased in the past few months. The most recent victims of violence include the family of an ethnic Russian teacher from the town of Karabulak, two ethnic Koreans in Stanitsa Ordzhonikidzevskaya, and a 66-year-old ethnic Russian doctor at a blood transfusion center in Nazran. Attacks on law enforcement officials are also reported to be on the rise. To help local security forces manage the situation, some 2,500 interior ministry troops were sent to Ingushetia earlier this month. Russian bloggers discuss the situation.
Russia: Another “Nashi” Interview
Sean's Russia Blog translates excerpts from an interview with another member of the pro-Putin Nashi youth movement.
