Translations

Further Details of GLONASS Embezzlement Emerge

June 5, 2013

[The following article describes the latest developments in the investigation into the embezzlement of funds from the GLONASS satellite programme. Investigators have revealed that the management of a company affiliated by the programme are suspected of taking part in the theft, and the CEO of NPP Metromark Infosystems has been arrested—Ed.] There have been new […]

Even Hospitals Contribute to United Russia

June 4, 2013

[According to the Central Election Commission data for 2012, the ruling United Russia party is the Russia’s wealthiest political party: its earnings amounted to 3.9 billion roubles ($122 million), most of which were received from the state budget. The emptiest coffers were those of RPR-PARNAS, that will have to finance its election campaign not from […]

Doubts Regarding Delivery of S-300s to Syria

May 31, 2013

[This report in Vedomosti analyses the doubts expressed by some regarding the delivery of the S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Syria by the Russian government. The article suggests that these systems may be of little use to the Assad regime, and are in fact more important as a source of international leverage for the Russian government.—Ed.] […]

Politkovskaya murder trial must be open

[On June 3, the second trial of suspects in the murder of the muck-raking journalist, Anna Politkovskaya, will commence in the Moscow City Court. Politkovskaya, who was famous for her critical stance towards the Putin government—particularly its conduct in Chechnya—was gunned down in her apartment building in October 2006. Novaya Gazeta, the paper for which […]

Shoigu Offered Chance to Unite Youth in Fatherland Guard

May 28, 2013

On May 22, a presentation of the military-patriotic movement Fatherland Guard will take place during the closed government hour at the State Duma, where Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is expected. The Fatherland Guard will be involved in the patriotic education of children and preparation of youth for the army. Viktor Vodolatsky, a State Duma deputy […]