Wednesday we published a translation of a journalist’s tour of a refugee internment camp after police raids netted over one thousand illegal immigrants. Today, we publish a translation about how the Russian police are pursuing slavery charges against the “employers” of those migrant workers. It is worth noting that widespread police misconduct has been reported by […]
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“Let’s Call it a ‘Special Settlement.’ Not a Prison, But No Better”
In recent weeks, widespread immigration raids have been reported, and that pace has quickened further in recent days. This is the story of one of the immigration camps where those detained in raids are taken. Update: A criminal case has been opened against the “employers” of these migrants. See our separate translation. – Ed. Massive raids […]
Designers and Technicians Blamed for “Proton” Rocket Failure
On July 2nd, a Russian satellite launch failed, highlighting continuing problems with Russia’s space program. The technological issues and heavy cutbacks in funding are significant problems for not only Russia. The Russian Soyuz plays a critical role in delivering staff and supplies to the International Space Station. – Ed. The Russian government commission investigating the […]
“Obama Has Ordered the Release Of Navalny”
Below is the transcript between between Aleksandr Bogomolov (Federal Patriotic Herald) and State Duma Deputy Yevgeny Fyodorov after opposition leader Alexei Navalny was temporarily released from prison so that he might pursue a campaign for Moscow’s mayor, pending his appeal.. -Ed. Novaya Gazeta has asked the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Ministry of Health to […]
Accounts Chamber Comes Up Short on Weapons
Oboronsevis, a firm with ties to the former Defense Minister, has illegally been granted contracts for arms recycling and disposal – contracts, it seems, that it has either subcontracted (for profit) or not completed. The Oboronservis case was opened in the fall of 2012. According to the investigation, real estate and land owned by the […]
“Totalizer”
Vladimir Pastukhov writes an essay for Novaya Gazeta, a liberal newspaper, on how Putin is not the driver of creeping totalitarianism, but Russia is pushing Putin down that path. It is worth noting that four Novaya Gazeta journalists have been assassinated in eight years. – Ed. Standing on the edge of the Russian abyss, they […]
Russia: The Economy of Carelessness
Russia economy is stagnating, but the Russian government is using various statistical tricks to make things look better than they are. In this editorial in Gazeta, written by Alexei Mikhailov, he explains that one of the few pro-active steps Putin is taking, using National Wealth Fund to invest in large projects, has questionable merit. It’s […]
Citizens of CIS Countries Traveling to Russia Will Be Required to Buy Health Insurance
The State Duma decided to amend the entry procedures for foreigners coming to Russia to require them to buy medical insurance. As explained by Alexey Zhuravlev, the State Duma deputy from the “United Russia” party, who initiated the measure, this is necessary in order to stop the illegal “medical tourism,” when citizens of the Commonwealth […]
Let Them Talk
After significant uncertainty as to whether there would be political debates between the candidates for Moscow’s mayor, or whether the previous mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, would even participate, the rules for the debates have been published. It should be noted that the article describes Sobyanin as the current mayor. Sobyanin, nearing the end of the term, […]
An Offshore Company is Suddenly in Love with a Cultural Heritage Site
The Oboronservis case was opened in the fall of 2012. According to the investigation, real estate and land owned by the Ministry of Defense was sold off at reduced prices through a holding company (“Expert”) created to hide the officers’ economic activity. Oboronservis has been tied to several newsworthy scandals involving corruption and the military which led to the […]