Russia Update

Fall of Brent Crude Oil Price to $33 Per Barrel Causes Havoc for Russian Budget

January 8, 2016

The fall of the price of Brent crude to $33 per barrel has prompted concern about the impact on the 2016 Russian state budget, which was calculated with an estimate of oil at $50 per barrel. Welcome to our column, Russia Update, where we will be closely following day-to-day developments in Russia, including the Russian […]

Patriarch Kirill Calls Russia’s War in Syria ‘Defensive’; Putin Attends Christmas Service

January 7, 2016

Patriarch of Moscow and All of Rus’ Kirill expressed support for Russia’s military operation in Syria, saying it was “defense of the Fatherland.” 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. Recent Translations: –The […]

Defendants in Nemtsov Murder Case Say They Stalked Him for Months, Aborting 3 Attempts to Kill Him

January 6, 2016

Two defendants in the murder case of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov said they stalked him long before February 27, the date of his assassination, and staged several aborted attempts to kill him before then. Welcome to our column, Russia Update, where we will be closely following day-to-day developments in Russia, including the Russian government’s foreign […]

Russia Update: European Court of Human Rights Rules That Russia Must Compensate Bolotnaya Demonstrator

January 5, 2016

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Russia must pay a total of 32,000 euros ($34,385) in compensation to a demonstrator who was wrongfully arrested. 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 […]

Russia Update: Communists in Russian Parliament Want to Ban Relatives of Officials from Business

January 4, 2016

Evidently following the lessons learned from opposition leader Alexey Navalny’s expose of Prosecutor General Yury Chaika and his sons, the Communist faction of the Russian parliament want to ban relatives of officials from running businesses. Welcome to our column, Russia Update, where we will be closely following day-to-day developments in Russia, including the Russian government’s […]

Russia Update: ISIS Takes Responsibility for Shooting in Derbent; 1 Officer Killed, 11 People Injured

December 31, 2015

A border guard has been killed and 11 people injured in a shooting in Derbent, Dagestan at the ancient fortress of Naryn-kala. ISIS has taken responsibility for the attack. 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 […]

Russia Update: Ruble Plunges to Lowest Level of Value in a Year

December 30, 2015

The ruble reached a record year-long low in value at 74 to the dollar and is currently trading at 73. 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. Recent Translations: –The Non-Hybrid War –Kashin […]

Russia Update: Investigators Announces Organizer of Nemtsov’s Murder is Driver They Let Slip

December 29, 2015

Live Updates: Vladimir Markin, spokesman for Russia’s Investigative Committee announced that investigators have determined that the organizer of the murder of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov is Ruslan Mukhudinov, the driver for Ruslan Geremeyev, officer of the Sever Battalion where the lead defendant Zaur Dadayev served. Welcome to our column, Russia Update, where we will be […]

Russia Update: Leader of Terrorist Group Killed in FSB Raid in Dagestan; 160 Militants ‘Liquidated’ This Year

December 28, 2015

Live Updates: Officers of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Interior Ministry killed a leader of a terrorist group in Dagestan today during a raid, bringing the total killed this year to 160. 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 […]

The All-Out Russian Crackdown On Dissent — Interpreter Podcast

December 24, 2015

For a month now the Russian government has been engaged in a full-scale — and accelerating — crackdown against political dissent and the freedom of the press. TV stations have been raided, protesters sentenced to years of hard labor, and activists homes have been searched for crimes that were committed when they were little kids. […]