Dmitry Davidov

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Russia: Controlled Media Support Party Hijacking

RuNet Echo  23 September 2011

With Russia’s parliamentary and presidential elections quickly approaching, political battles are becoming an almost daily occurrence. The latest scandal has reminded many bloggers that political celebrities can be discredited as fast as they're pushed into the spotlight.

Russia: Why We Are Leaving Our Country Behind

RuNet Echo  31 August 2011

Recent months have seen a new spin on the topic of emigration that seems to be ever-present in the Russian online space. Several powerful blog posts written by people from different social groups have become a platform for expressing one's take on the present and future of the country and people's place in it.

Russia: Internet Audience Continues to Grow Rapidly

RuMetrika sums up the recent survey of “Public Opinion Foundation” on the Internet audience in Russia. According  to it, the audience grew 7 percent (versus predicted 3.7) in the first three months of 2011. During the last year and a half, the monthly Internet audience increased by 27 percent.

Russia: New Statistics of Social Network Users

Russian collaborative blog Habrahabr.ru publishes statistics on the users of Vkontakte.ru, the most popular social platform in Russia. According to the data, Alexander (for man) and Ekaterina (for women) are the most popular names of users. The most users are from Moscow or Saint Petersburg.

Russia: Kremlin Critics Threatened With Travel Ban

On July 6, 2011, leading political opposition activists Boris Nemtsov and Vladimir Milov suddenly found themselves banned from leaving Russia by the country's Federal Bailiff Service. The concept of a travel ban has a special place in the hearts of people who lived during the Soviet Union.

Russia: Infamous ‘Vanishing’ Charity Foundation Resurfaces

The heartwarming performance of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin playing the piano and singing the song "Blueberry Hill" at a charity concert, was darkened by the scandal surrounding the 'Federaciya' (Federation) foundation that allegedly tried to disappear with the money raised by the event. The charity has recently resurfaced, with plans for another concert underway.

Russia: Bloggers React With Cynicism to Bin Laden's Death

The death of Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 2, 2011, has provoked condemnation and talk of conspiracy theories among Russian bloggers. Quickly becoming one of the hottest topics of the Russian Internet, the death of Bin Laden did not divide netizens. In a rare instance of unity, Russian bloggers revealed their cynicism toward one of the most important events of this year.

Russia: ‘Online Superman’ Navalny Has Bloggers Divided

Alexey Navalny is much more than a blogger. He exploded onto the Russian Internet with scandalous revelations, often against political figures, and quickly grew into the country's "online Superman," fighting what seems to be an unwinnable war against corruption and an army of human bots. Not all bloggers are diehard fans though; many still deeply distrust Navalny.

Russia: Human Bots Fight Opposition

RuNet Echo  21 March 2011

As Internet control becomes more and more sophisticated, new techniques join the arsenal of online deception and discreditation. Vadim Isakov analyzed the phenomena of 'human bots,' paid commenters willing to turn any constructive conversation into the mess.