Russia’s Money Laundromat

July 24, 2015

It began with a television documentary. A sting operation in which two journalists posed as Boris and Nastya — a Russian official and his mistress, seeking to buy luxury homes in London with money pilfered from the state budget.

Hey, Putin, have you seen how much China is investing in Ukraine?

On July 6, the Financial Times reported that Ukraine has become the largest corn exporter to China, surpassing the United States. This was surprising, as America has historically possessed a near-monopoly on corn exports to China. Ukraine’s increased role in providing food for China also extends beyond corn. Since the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea, […]

Russia Update: Six Islamist Militants Killed in Nalchik Said to be ISIS Members

Six Islamist militants shot dead by police in Kabardino-Balkaria, a republic in Russia’s North Caucasus, were said to be members of ISIS. Welcome to our column, Russia Update, where we will be closely following day-to-day developments in Russia, including the Russian government’s foreign and domestic policies. The previous issue is here. Special features: – ‘I […]

Ukraine Live Day 522: RPG or Mortar Attack On Kiev Bank Last Night

Yesterday’s live coverage of the Ukraine conflict can be found here. An archive of our liveblogs can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see our latest podcast. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing this valuable information service by making a donation towards our costs. For links to individual […]

Getting Russia Wrong

July 23, 2015

Despite decades, if not centuries, of experience with Russia, Western governments and political movements continue to get Russia wrong with surprising regularity. In an interview with Thomas Friedman of the New York Times, President Obama registered his surprise that Russia stood with the 5+1 process to obtain the recently signed deal on Iran’s nuclear program. […]

Russia Update: Ekho Moskvy Faces Loss of Economic Independence

The MacArthur Foundation announced it is leaving Russia after being included in the government’s “undesirable organizations” list. It is the last of US philanthropies to leave in a decade as Putin’s crackdown on civil society worsens. Welcome to our column, Russia Update, where we will be closely following day-to-day developments in Russia, including the Russian […]

Ukraine Live Day 521: Ukrainian Border Guards Down Russian Drone North-West Of Lugansk

Yesterday’s live coverage of the Ukraine conflict can be found here. An archive of our liveblogs can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see our latest podcast. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing this valuable information service by making a donation towards our costs. For links to individual […]

Russia Update: Moscow Threatens Deployment in Crimea of Nuclear Bombers to Counter US BMD

July 22, 2015

Russia has threatened to deploy TU-22M3 strategic bombers in occupied Crimea capable of delivering nuclear missiles in retaliation to the US plan to build a Ballistic Missile Defense base in Romania later this year. Welcome to our column, Russia Update, where we will be closely following day-to-day developments in Russia, including the Russian government’s foreign […]

Ukraine Live Day 520: Russia Formally Disowns Captured Spetsnaz Soldiers

Yesterday’s live coverage of the Ukraine conflict can be found here. An archive of our liveblogs can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see our latest podcast. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing this valuable information service by making a donation towards our costs. For links to individual […]