https://acloserlookonsyria.shoutwiki.com/w/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=Davidwilliams&feedformat=atomA Closer Look On Syria - User contributions [en]2024-03-28T12:21:55ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.35.13https://acloserlookonsyria.shoutwiki.com/w/index.php?title=Category_talk:Russia&diff=51495Category talk:Russia2019-06-14T06:29:41Z<p>Davidwilliams: /* Corruption cases */</p>
<hr />
<div>==Disclaimer==<br />
:"Умом Россию не понять,<br />
:Аршином общим не измерить:<br />
:У ней особенная стать —<br />
:В Россию можно только верить".<br />
<br />
::Ф. И. Тютчев.<br />
<br />
:You will not grasp her with your mind <br />
:Or cover with a common label, <br />
:For Russia is one of a kind – <br />
:Believe in her, if you are able...<br />
::(translated by Anatoly Liberman) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:44, 7 March 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
::::* * * <br />
<br />
:I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia.<br />
:It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma;<br />
:but perhaps there is a key.<br />
:That key is Russian national interest. <br />
<br />
::[http://www.churchill-society-london.org.uk/RusnEnig.html Winston Churchill]<br />
-- [[User:Petri Krohn|Petri Krohn]] ([[User talk:Petri Krohn|talk]]) 18:53, 7 March 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Short Stories===<br />
Film director Pavel Lungin (PL) recalls meeting dissident writer [http://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/26/world/andrei-sinyavsky-71-dies-writer-was-sent-to-gulag.html Andrei Siniavskii] , who was imprisoned in Gulag, than emigrated to France. Siniavskii, sitting in a bar in Paris, sipping some wine: now listen Pavel, -- the happiest time I ever had, it was in Gulag. <br />
:(PL) how come ???<br />
:(S) we were really happy there, everything was so pure, like no moneys, no women ... --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 04:56, 16 March 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===National Idea?===<br />
After the fall of socialism (which followed the fall of traditional society and tzarism), there was no replacement; and extreme Russian version of capitalism has not become a unifying idea. Lack of national idea was mentioned and discussed by members of Yeltsin government, but no serious suggestion was made. In that background, Putin explicitly offered patriotism as (a/the) 'national idea' (the national unifying "-ism") at a meeting with entrepreneurs from the so called 'Club of Leaders'. [http://tass.ru/politika/2636647 TASS], Feb. 3, 2016.<br />
:The previous, pre-socialist one was [http://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/dic_wingwords/2219/%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B5 "Православие, самодержавие, народность"], proposed by Uvarov during the reign of tzar Nicolai 1. This translates as "Orthodoxy (Russian Christian O.), autocracy (tzarism), nationalism" (народность here means being close to people and traditions).<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:02, 4 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
==Geopolitics==<br />
Marianna Belenkaya -TASS [http://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/1902253 attempts to explain] lifting of S-300 sales to Iran, and abstention vote on Yemen, from geopolitical perspective; "multi-vector" and "..openly against policies of Washington..." are key words used in the article. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:42, 19 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
26.11.15 Hollande to arrive to Moscow on Thursday after visiting Obama, presumably in an attempt to bring about a broad anti-IS coalition. Tuesday presser with Obama, however, suggests that the US does not see a need for a new coalition, and that while the existing one is open to Russia, she needs to change her behavior (dropping support for Assad, or making sure that he chooses not to run in the elections). Such line is clearly not going to work, as this would be politically suicidal. There is nowhere remotely near the level of pressure to bring about a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seppuku harakiri] of such sort (and it is impossible to have required levels). On the other hand, the Western coalition is not prepared to do the job itself, as airstrikes cannot possibly reverse vast territorial gains in a land with significant number of civilian inhabitants. Only President Putin and the Supreme Leader Khamenei have the actual presence on the ground. <br />
<br />
So apparently the real plan of the Empire is Chaos. Hollande may try, and succeed, to have an appearance of a broad coalition. There is good chemistry and strong cultural connection. But at this point, the players are too preoccupied with their own interests to really work together as one team for a common good. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:43, 26 November 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Lavrov says, in essence, that EU foreign policy is under US control (and that he would wish it to be otherwise) [http://ria.ru/world/20160313/1389139858.html RIA]. (Graphics show results of Sputnik/Populus poll, showing that respondents believed that ordinary people have no or little influence over their country foreign policy.) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:44, 13 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Ukraine and Syria===<br />
*Telephone call, Obama-Putin, Feb 14, 2016 [http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/51312 Kremlin read-out], [https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fkremlin.ru%2Fevents%2Fpresident%2Fnews%2F51312&edit-text=google translation]. Syria (support Munich decisions) and Ukraine (fulfill Minsk) were discussed. <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:03, 14 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*(Of all places), Steinmeier is to meet Kerry in Moscow, and hopes to have a meeting wiht Putin as well, according to [http://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/2869066 TASS]--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:15, 23 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[http://tass.ru/en/world/864988 Kerry interview to TASS (Eng)] (provides 'distorting mirrors' description on Ukraine, Poroshenko troops are fired on, etc). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:44, 25 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
:Kerry claimed that Kiev is doing things and passed laws on amnesty and special status. Well, Rada did pass [http://www.rada.gov.ua/news/Novyny/Povidomlennya/97812.html some amnesty law] (September 2014), but that law only covered period from 22 February 2014 to 16 September 2014. I am not aware that another amnesty law was passed after Minsk 2 was signed. Of course it is insufficient, in law and in practice (which as we know is bad). Passing another law is required in item 5 of [http://www.spiegel.de/media/media-35901.pdf Minsk-2 agreement], that was not done as far as I am aware. Regarding special status, there was a law of temporary nature pre Minsk 2, but constitutional amendments required in part 11 of [http://www.spiegel.de/media/media-35901.pdf Minsk-2] were not fulfilled. (Strange that TASS interviewer just nodded in agreement throughout. That was before meeting with Putin, so it was like, well, whatever you say, or something). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:13, 25 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Belarus===<br />
*All top Russian leadership gathered in Minsk. Putin -Lukashenko joint press conference describe talks and decisions of a 'supreme council of a Union State' (Russia and Belarus), and (double-labeling?) inter-state cooperation agreements, economic, military, political --[https://russian.rt.com/article/150537 RT report and video]--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:51, 25 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Turkey===<br />
Aug. 9, 2016. [http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/52671 Putin] and Erdogan [http://rusvesna.su/news/1470758917 met] in St. Petersburg. Relations normalized after an apology by Erdogan, Russian support after the coup, and some back channel diplomacy. [http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/story-of-secret-diplomacy-that-ended-russia-turkey-jet-crisis.aspx?pageID=238&nID=102629&NewsCatID=409 According to] İbrahim Kalın, the spokesman for Erdoğan, businessman “Cavit Çağlar played a very important role” in solving the crisis, as well as Kazakhstan leader “Nursultan Nazarbayev, who showed great friendship to Turkey” and “the patriotic initiative taken by Gen. Hulusi Akar, the Chief of General Staff despite the area being out of his responsibility". At the press conference, big economic projects (Northern stream, Akkuyu nuclear power station ) appear back on track. Syria was to be discussed after the press conference, with difference of approaches remaining but a common solution sought, according to statements made. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:28, 9 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Russia/USA===<br />
A bit more interaction as both are involved in Syria.<br />
<br />
Chances of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Bout Viktor Bout] and [https://www.rt.com/usa/scandal-kidnapped-drug-pilot/ Konstantin Yaroshenko] ( Russians extradited and sentenced to prison terms in USA on weapons/drugs trafficking charges) being released in a swap deal involving Savchenko, Erofeev, and Alexandrov are [http://www.interfax.ru/russia/505074 discussed] in Russian sources, Interfax, Apr. 22, 2016. Previously, some talk on that by Russian FM spokeswoman, and in (overall critical of the government) comments by the opposition. Unsure how realistic is such swap; but seems plausible that Russia is trying to have it; and remains to be seen how it turns out. Russia never clearly stated that releasing Savchenko is going to happen, but appears to be open for some sort of bargain, at least. Can be a broader trust-building step, if it happens (though unsure it will)--[[User:Resup|Resup]]([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:23, 22 April 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
One more [http://ria.ru/syria/20160712/1464817038.html visit] of Kerry to Moscow on 14-15 July 2016, Ukraine and Syria. For one thing, Ukraine can be solved, -by putting really harsh pressure on UKRAINE to fulfill Minsk agreements. It is really no mystery who is not following agreements, yet for as long as it is more politically profitable to keep blaming Russia nothing good will come out. It is not happening because there is no political will in the US to do it in the first place. So what's the point for yet another visit to Moscow? As they say, empty talk is not taxed. With Syria, it's more complicated. With Aleppo rebels surrounded, some tactical advantage on Russian side, but that's about it, and unlikely a solution in a near future. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:57, 12 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
:[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/leaked-proposal-us-offering-russia-military-pact-in-syria/2016/07/14/b562e920-4998-11e6-8dac-0c6e4accc5b1_story.html 'Unable to stop Syria’s war, US offers Russia new partnership'], Washington Post, 14 July 2016.<br />
:Kerry and Lavrov meetings lasted over 10 hours in total. At present, USA taken a pause for consultations ([http://tass.ru/politika/3458891 TASS])., 15 July 2016. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:48, 15 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
:*Lavrov press conference comments after the meeting- [http://tass.ru/politika/3459084 (TASS)] [http://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/2356206 (full)]. Mostly on Syria; direct negotiations advocated for both Syria and Ukraine, with the role of other parties is to press for this to happen. Indirect talks on Syria described as insufficient (on Ukraine, Moscow always tried to have direct dialog, but so far without success). Synchronization of Ukrainian formats advocated (i.e contact groups with participation of DPR/LPR. Normandy format, and direct USA-Russia contacts). Meeting appears to be about agreeing various steps to be done without expectation of those steps leading to a breakthrough.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:41, 16 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
:*Kerry comments on [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zUbWkzIKxE video] (12 min). Talks on measures from around 7:00 time stamp, and that those will not be made public in full details, need further work, and not expected to give immediate results --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:41, 16 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.rt.com/news/361411-russia-suspend-plutonium-deal/ Putin signs decree suspending Russia-US deal on plutonium disposal over hostile US actions], RT. Oct.3, 2016<br />
:Recalling [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F9apXOyJCY earlier interview], April 7, 2016, St, Petersburg, agreement called for both sides having a plant to do disposal irreversibly, but it was said that this was only done by Russia and not implemented by USA, where dilution is used instead. Back than, no steps were taken, but it is done now. The response came in he context of Russia not attending [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/31/nuclear-security-summit-obama-russia-absence nuclear security summit] hosted by Obama. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:28, 3 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://www.apn.ru/index.php?newsid=36352 Russian trumpism after Shayrat] -''APN'' , 29 May 2017. Covering evolution of grass-root and officialdom 'Trumpism' in Russia (in Rus.) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 08:11, 30 May 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://www.eucom.mil/media-library/article/35874/russian-fighter-intercepts-us-aircraft Russian Fighter Intercepts US Aircraft (8 photos)], published by United States European Command, Stuttgart, Germany on Jun 23, 2017 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:51, 23 June 2017 (UTC)<br />
:A U.S. RC-135U flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea was intercepted by a Russian SU-27 Flanker June 19, 2017.<br />
<br />
First personal Trump-Putin meeting, 7 July 2017. [http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/55006 Kremlin release], [https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-and-releases White House (pending)]. It is understood that meeting lasted longer than planned, over 2 hours instead of 40 minutes, and both sides made very emotionally positive statements afterwards. Good 'chemistry' is important, for the good of the world, and with previous admin it was quite terrible. It is also worth mentioning that in terms of actions, not words, it was not very much. Some cessation of hostilities in SW part of Syria was worked out before the meeting. A channel on Ukraine existed with the previous admin and is not by itself a breakthrough (stopping shelling, killing, and return to normality and peace on the ground would be). US statements and actions leading into the meeting were quite uniformly negative, more sanctions, troops, 'Russia a destabilizing force, etc. More on that line eg in 2 articles in Saker. Criticism of that is (1) personal chemistry is important, only time can tell what it leads too, and best for that is to stay open-minded and optimistic (2) on Russia's side, too much fixation on the issue. Russia on one hand tries to keep independence and geopolitical weight comparable to USSR. On the other side, de-industrialization, weak non-supply + non-military economy, flashy but less sustained R&D apart from those (and few selected areas like chips, finance), no viable non -Western alternative value system and strong drive and economic reason to be part of the West --contradictory to attempted geopolitical attitude. In a well-functioning on all levels Russia, quality of reproach with USA would be a lesser issue for Russia; that cannot be replaced by personal contact, as the systems and ways and means are too different. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:19, 8 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Kremlin/Peskov: seized by Obama admin Russian diplomatic property must be returned without preconditions, talks -[http://tass.com/politics/956576 TASS -Eng.] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:54, 17 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
US consulates in Russia [https://ru.usembassy.gov/ru/fact-sheet-ru/ suspend] issuing of non-immigrant visas till 1 September, will restart afterwards but only in Moscow, not at other consulates. It was motivated by Russia telling to cut consulates headcount, however according to [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZgXkYJUm6g&t=27m20s Kislyak interview] on his return to Russia US and Russian consulates issue comparable number of visas (180 thousand visas issued by USA, some 90 thousand, down from peak 134 thousands, by Russia), and it does not take too many people, few dozens maybe. While much smaller European consulates issue about twice more visas (16 consular officers of Italy issued 478 thousand visas, 5 Spanish officers- 877 thousand visas, according to [http://tass.ru/politika/4499442 Russian FM/TASS]) Lavrov comments on the development is at the bottom of his translated [http://www.mid.ru/en/press_service/video/-/asset_publisher/i6t41cq3VWP6/content/id/2840676 press-conference transcript]. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 08:59, 22 August 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE3pU9yhuKw Epiphany ice-hole bathing of the US ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman], 21 January, 2018 (Will not redirect the runaway train, but may be among the best efforts so far...) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:00, 22 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Source: Fiona Hill, Special Assistant to the US President, holds consultations in Moscow [https://tass.ru/politika/6347324 TASS Rus.], [http://tass.com/world/1054288 TASS Eng.]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
====Arms Control====<br />
Russian FM published a [http://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/3192916 detailed report], ''On Russian assessments of the US Department of State report on compliance with agreements and commitments in the field of arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament''. It includes points on major arms control treaties. In particular, it is announced that Russia suspends an agreement on conversion of plutonium, citing many old and new grievances such as NATO expansion, sanctions, Ukraine, as well as US non-compliance with agreed process of conversion (US wants dilution and burial, not utilization in nuclear reactors --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:38, 24 April 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
USA in effect [https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text#toc-H059D37691D9F40348C4794864FEE4AED freezes open skies agreement with Russia], in the newly signed defense budget, until president certifies 'treaty violations responses' on Russia [https://ria.ru/world/20180813/1526479787.html?referrer_block=index_main_1 RIA], 13 Aug. 2018 (The treaty is important for trust on troops and weapons deployment, etc). Some background and discussion [https://www.armscontrol.org/taxonomy/term/32 here] (''In his May letter to Fischer, Mattis countered that the imagery produced on treaty flights “is verifiable and unclassified, which allows for its use in international or bilateral fora.” He noted that, in 2014, treaty imagery was “a key visual aid during U.S. engagement with allies and Russia regarding the military crisis in Ukraine.” '') --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:08, 13 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Unconfirmed====<br />
;Alleged speech of Bill Clinton before the Joined Chiefs of Staff, Oct. 1995<br />
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3ABill_Clinton%2FArchive_9#Alleged_speech_before_the_Joined_Chiefs_of_Staff -Wikipedia/Talk] <br />
*[http://russway.narod.ru/articles/clinton.htm russway.narod.ru], and many similar blog posts in Russian<br />
*Latest mentioning, Oct. 17, 2017, Yelena Ermakova at the Permanent meeting of the People's Patriotic Forces of Russia (members includes Strelkov) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx5077HJLUE&t=2h09m09s tells us] that it was a shocker to Boris Yeltsin and contributed to him later stepping down (with Putin as a replacement); source of Yeltsin claim is unknown. The context of this remark is to argue for some positive sides of Putin, to an audience who is in opposition/identifies as an independent third force. <br />
*Alleged speech cannot be easily traced in [https://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/show/12666 daily schedule for October 1995]. There are some redacted items, and Truman institute meeting on October 25, but no known evidence. Non-existence and an invention from thing air is a possibility. At least it firmly exists as a folklore. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 04:35, 19 October 2017 (UTC)<br />
;'Dulles' Plan' . <br />
Said to be ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulles%27_Plan Wikipedia]) to be a work of fiction. (A user discussing the issue above, Oct. 1995, suggested that it can be a modified version of the 'Dulles' Plan'). One of the places the alleged 1995 plan was published was a literary journal, which may well be publishing fiction. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:59, 19 October 2017 (UTC) Added, it is argued in Russian sources ([https://vk.com/wall-156278021_5124 proryvist], via [https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/4594053.html Cassad]) and quoting from [http://publ.lib.ru/ARCHIVES/J/JUVENEL'_Reno/_Juvenel'_R..html a book] "Army of Mercenaries' (1952) by [https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaud_de_Jouvenel Renaud de Jouvenel] that such plans, involving spies, sabotage, and psy-ops, really existed. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:03, 20 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Helsinki summit, July 16, 2018====<br />
Yurii Ushakov, assistant to the Russian president, comments on the summit-[http://tass.ru/politika/5372835 TASS], 13 July, 2018<br />
<br />
====Bolton in Moscow, October 2018====<br />
Bolton visited Moscow after the US announced intention to withdraw from the [https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/INFtreaty INF treaty]. <br />
<br />
Bolton: I did not bring any more olives (after Putin's comments on 13 arrows and 13 olives held by eagle on the US coat of arms). Bolton: E pluribus unum -"Out of many, one.” (in response to Putin saying that there is also "unity in diversity" on the US coat of arms). Bolton comment is then mistranslated to Russian ("our slogan indeed is that the unity is in diversity") - ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSR_5qwjgbE video])<br />
<br />
[http://www.apn-spb.ru/opinions/article29176.htm A Russian article critical of Putin performance for him being too soft] appeared, by [http://svpressa.ru/authors/sergey-duhanov/ Sergey Dukhanov]. Giving Bolton an opportunity to talk separately to Lavrov, Shoigu, and Patrushev was criticized in particular, for giving Bolton (portrayed as a dedicated opponent) too much inside into fine details of the Russian senior leadership thinking. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:44, 27 October 2018 (UTC)<br />
*Bolton press conference ([https://www.c-span.org/video/?453518-1/national-security-adviser-john-bolton-holds-news-conference-moscow text/video]), Oct. 23, 2018<br />
*:00:20:16 [https://www.c-span.org/video/?453518-1/national-security-adviser-john-bolton-holds-news-conference-moscow&start=1216 THE PROBLEM IS] THERE ARE RUSSIAN (INF violating missiles in Europe) NOW. THE THREAT IS NOT AMERICA WITHDRAW FROM THE INF TREATY. THE THREAT IS THE RUSSIAN MISSILE.<br />
*:00:42:38 ''AND THAT APPLIES TO THE INDICTMENT OF THE INTERNET RESEARCH ASSOCIATINGS ACCOUNTANT THAT was just RELEASED LOOK BACK TO SEE THE TIME PERIODS INVOLVED'' (totally mistranslated to Russian; a news report on this item [https://www.wired.com/story/russia-indictment-twitter-facebook-play-both-sides/ here])<br />
<br />
====Paul Whelan arrest ====<br />
*[https://www.foxnews.com/world/paul-whelan-us-man-accused-of-spying-in-russia-charged-with-espionage-report Paul Whelan, US man accused of spying in Russia, charged with espionage: report], by Katherine Lam, Fox News, January 3, 2019<br />
*[https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/4681887.html About Whelan arrest]-Cassad, January 3, 2019<br />
*: --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:34, 3 January 2019 (UTC)<br />
*[https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/british-citizen-paul-whelan-held-in-russia-over-spying-for-the-west-ghglb88kw British citizen Paul Whelan held in Russia over ‘spying for the West’]-The Times, January 4, 2019<br />
*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/four-countries-now-have-links-to-american-detained-in-russia-as-international-spillover-widens/2019/01/04/25d93b2e-1029-11e9-8f0c-6f878a26288a_story.html Four countries now have links to American detained in Russia as international spillover widens] -''Washington Post'', January 4, 2019<br />
*[http://tass.com/politics/1039009 Russia seeks consular access to Russian detained at US request, says senior diplomat] (indicted in 2017, arrested 29 December, 2018, on Saipan, the Northern Mariana Islands) -''TASS'' (Eng.), January 5, 2019<br />
*[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46769660 "Paul Whelan: Russia rules out prisoner swap for ex-US Marine"] -''BBC'' (Eng.), January 5, 2019<br />
<br />
===Russia/NATO===<br />
*[http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/142046 Kommersant.ru], 7 March 2000. Putin in interview to BBC stated that he does not exclude a possibility of Russia joining NATO. <br />
::At an economic forum in St. Petersburg in June 2017, Putin [http://tass.ru/politika/4310986 reminded] the story of him telling Bill Clinton that Russia might join NATO, to a diplomatic nod of approval by Clinton and alarm of Clinton's entourage. <br />
*BBC, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/audio_video/programmes/breakfast_with_frost/transcripts/putin5.mar.txt Breakfast With Frost Interview]: Vladimir Putin, March 5, 2000<br />
{{I|2|<br />
DAVID FROST:<br />
Tell me about your views on NATO if you would. Do you see NATO as a <br />
potential partner, or a rival or an enemy?<br />
<br />
PUTIN:<br />
Russia is part of the European culture. And I cannot imagine my own country <br />
in isolation from Europe and what we often call the civilised world. So it is <br />
hard for me to visualise NATO as an enemy. I think even posing the question <br />
this way will not do any good to Russia or the world. The very question is <br />
capable of causing damage. Russia strives for equitable and candid relations <br />
with its partners. The main problem here lies in attempts to discard previously <br />
agreed common instruments - mainly in resolving issues of international <br />
security. We are open to equitable co-operation, to partnership. We believe <br />
we can talk about more profound integration with NATO but only if Russia is <br />
regarded an equal partner. You are aware we have been constantly voicing <br />
our opposition to NATO's eastward expansion. <br />
<br />
DAVID FROST:<br />
Is it possible Russia could join NATO?<br />
<br />
PUTIN:<br />
I don't see why not. I would not rule out such a possibility - but I repeat - if and <br />
when Russia's views are taken into account as those of an equal partner. <br />
}}<br />
<br />
*[http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2008-06-30/putins-labyrinth Putin's Labyrinth], Steve Levine, Bloomberg Businessweek, July 1, 2008<br />
:''By the beginning of 2000 the NATO expansion was well under way. Putin met with President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and National Security Adviser Samuel Berger, and floated a question: What would be the West's attitude toward Russia's applying to join NATO? Berger suddenly found a fly on the window to be extremely intriguing. Albright looked straight ahead. Clinton glanced at his advisers and finally responded with a diplomatically phrased brush-off. It was something on the order of, If it were up to me, I would welcome that...<br />
*US permanent representative to NATO [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivo_Daalder Ivo Daalder]: it is possible for Russia to join NATO, but such a decision needs to be taken by Russia, as quoted by [http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20100922/277973798.html RIA], 22 Sept. 2010<br />
<br />
*[https://www.rt.com/news/342915-putin-nato-threat-missiles/ Putin: Russia will consider tackling NATO missile defense threat], RT, 13 May, 2016 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:11, 14 May 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*Frants Klintsevich, the first deputy head of the Russian Federation Council Defense and Security Committee: "The deployment of NATO battalions in the Baltic States and Poland and the fact of bringing the NATO missile defense system to the initial level of readiness are the obvious acts of aggression if things are to be called by their names." [http://tass.ru/en/politics/887203 TASS], July 8, 2016.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:45, 9 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Russia/former Yugoslavia===<br />
*Kosovo authorities have declared a member of the UN mission, Mikhail Krasnoshchekov, wounded by local security officials, persona non grata -[https://ria.ru/20190531/1555162010.html RIA], May 31, 2019<br />
*The UN response -[https://ria.ru/20190531/1555162010.html RIA], [https://rusvesna.su/news/1559322282 Rusvesna] (another photo) May 31, 2019<br />
*:...UN employee cannot be persona non grata , such definition does not apply ...<br />
*First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, Behgjet Pacolli, has invited senior representatives of the United Nations to initiate an investigation - [http://www.rtklive.com/sq/news-single.php?ID=353929 Radio Television Kosovo live] , June 1, 2019<br />
*: It is not clear what Krasnoshekov did/why he was attacked, and what caused Kosovo police activity (against some group of Serbs) to begin with--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:50, 1 June 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Japan===<br />
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuril_Islands_dispute Kuril Islands Dispute, en.wikipedia]<br />
:[http://tass.ru/info/1515098 TASS dossier], 2013: Following the meeting in St. Petersburg, the leaders agreed that the peace treaty problem can be solved only on the basis of the principle of "[http://judodictionary.com/glossary-term/hiki-wake/ Hiki-wake]" - "no victor, no vanquished".<br />
:[https://rg.ru/2016/05/07/premer-sindzo-abe-predlozhil-rossii-sotrudnichestvo-vmesto-konfrontacii.html Japanese Prime Minister offered cooperation with Russia] at a summit in Sochi, his 8 items plan is mentioned, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 07.05.2016<br />
:[https://rg.ru/2016/09/02/reg-dfo/putin-i-abe-dogovorilis-o-novyh-proektah.html Putin and Abe agreed on new (economic) projects], Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 2.09.2016<br />
:[https://rg.ru/2016/09/12/glavy-mid-rf-i-iaponii-vozmut-na-kontrol-dogovorennosti-putina-i-abe.html FM of Russia and Japan will 'take under control' recent agreements of Putin and Abe], Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 12.09.2016<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6aurBI0XxM When is peace with Japan], Kiselev on Rossia 1 TV, 11.09.2016<br />
::some of the Russian 'patriotic opposition' figures, after watching their TVs, expressed concern, interpreting this as plans to transfer islands sovereignty to Japan. <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]])17:51, 16 September 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Various scenarios of signing peace treaty with Japan, possibly transferring to their sovereignty two (or different number) of the 4 disputed islands, possibly after a period of joint economic activity, under conditions not yet agreed, are now openly [https://regnum.ru/news/polit/2216926.html?utm_source=infox.sg discussed] in the Russian press. Russian 'patriotic opposition' is strongly against. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:59, 14 December 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://rusvesna.su/news/1508996991 Klintsevich]: Russia made a decision to establish a Navy base on Kuril islands. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:02, 26 October 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===UN===<br />
Vitalii Churkin, Russia representative at the UN, has [http://rusvesna.su/news/1487610954 died] in New York. He was 65. <br />
:[https://twitter.com/SamanthaJPower/status/833734190101327872 Samantha Power: 'devastated']. Long article in [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/25/opinion/sunday/samantha-power-my-friend-the-russian-ambassador.html?_r=0 NY Times] (maybe she thinks it makes Churkin appear human--but it's rather herself, to a degree. With all that human touch, why all that nonsense she was channeling at the UN? --If she is not vile, it then borders on incompetence. <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:46, 20 February 2017 (UTC)<br />
:[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABS-CBN_(television_network) abs.cbn-tv], a Filipino network (???), made a [http://abs.cbn-tv.com/autopsy-report-reveals-russias-un-envoy-churkin-was-poisoned/ claim] that Churkin 'had poison in his kidneys', presents part of a medical report (with nothing on kidneys in it; liver necrosis mentioned). Report may well be false (any Filipino-Ukrainians?) Russian liberal media cite this as 'US report', point out that Churkin had diplomatic immunity and autopsy is not supposed to be done in US. [https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2017-02-21/colleagues-mourn-sudden-death-of-russian-ambassador-to-un US reports] say that further study needed to determine the cause, it may involve toxicology, but this may well be routine; there were no toxicology results at that point. Churkin was [http://wordyou.ru/224216-poxorony-vitaliya-churkina-na-troekurovskom-kladbishhe-video.html buried] in Moscow on 25 February. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:39, 28 February 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Israel/Palestine===<br />
*[http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/54483 Meeting with President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas], kremlin.ru, 11 May 2017<br />
*: With whatever said there, this is something more difficult to resolve than the issues we cover. However, historically big part of the problem is artificial, divide-and-conquer first, cold war, bone-of-contention logic to follow. All of that was ingrained in lives, blood, and the beliefs, and not easily reversible. What humans did, humans can undo, but only if everybody is in the same direction and at full throttle. In principle, it may be the time. There is a reason for why Putin is on good terms with Netanyahu, and a reason for a different type of leadership in Washington. For the moment, however, with bacchanalia in the US and Byzantium ways in Moscow, quite hard to see it coming in real terms. Who knows.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:28, 11 May 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===...and Iran===<br />
Moldova president Igor Dodon [http://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/4458282 confirmed] a planned meeting in Tehran with Russian vice-PM in charge of defense industry Dmitry Rogozin who was recently declared persona non-grata by Moldova parliament after a row when a regular-scheduled plane with Rogozin on board was disallowed to Moldova by Romania. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 05:29, 3 August 2017 (UTC)<br />
:[https://tvzvezda.ru/news/vstrane_i_mire/content/201708051818-ih55.htm Rogozin and Dodon met in Iran] - ''TV Zvezda'', 5 August, 2017<br />
<br />
===...and Lebanon===<br />
Russia signs [http://www.mid.ru/foreign_policy/international_contracts/2_contract/-/storage-viewer/bilateral/page-101/45208 military cooperation] agreement with Lebanon; and also a [https://aftershock.news/?q=node/615528&full controversial] international shell gas exploration agreement. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 20:09, 11 February 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Afghanistan ===<br />
*[http://www.mid.ru/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/3322203 Lavrov]: In early September, Moscow will host a regular meeting in the Moscow format. Representatives of the Afghan leadership and the Taliban movement were invited to the meeting. The first reaction is positive - they plan to take part in this meeting. I hope it will be productive. (...На заседание были приглашены представители афганского руководства и Движения талибов...) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:50, 21 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[http://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/3398970 О втором заседании Московского формата консультаций по Афганистану] (On the second meeting of the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan) -Russian FM, November 3, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:15, 3 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
*:''.. Invitations to participate in the event were sent to the participating countries - Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, as well as the United States. The President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, A. Gani, decided to send a delegation of the High Peace Council of this country to the meeting. For the first time, a delegation of the Political Office of the '''Taliban Movement in Doha will participate''' in an international meeting of this level. The agreement of the final document is not planned.<br />
<br />
===Historic===<br />
*[http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_9C935351D7E2443FA1AC49509AC83C7F War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; The Weapon of Choice], Interview with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentin_Falin Valentin Falin] -''Openvault'', 04/07/1986<br />
*:Interesting coverage of 1943 to 1967 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:11, 27 February 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====NATO expansion====<br />
* [https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/russia-programs/2017-12-12/nato-expansion-what-gorbachev-heard-western-leaders-early Declassified documents show security assurances against NATO expansion to Soviet leaders from Baker, Bush, Genscher, Kohl, Gates, Mitterrand, Thatcher, Hurd, Major, and Woerner], National Security Archive, released 12 December 2017.<br />
<br />
====Afghanistan==== <br />
*27 December 1979, one of the first operations of 'Alpha' and 'Vympel' units, a success. Soviet invasion of Afghanistan followed. Eventually, combined effects of invasion, with the other side backed by the West; cold war, economic, ideological wars; and internal rot of the system resulted in withdrawal from Afghanistan (15 February 1989), collapse of the USSR (1991). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 05:36, 8 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
**[https://life.ru/1076504 Life], [http://rusvesna.su/news/1515322139 Rusvesna] ''Ideal operation: how Soviet spetznaz stormed Amin palace in Afghanistan (photo)'', 7/8 January, 2018<br />
<br />
==Government==<br />
In an unexpected move, chief of presidential administration and power structures (FSB, MOD) veteran Sergei Ivanov is [http://tass.ru/politika/3532595 replaced] by a young assistant, Anton [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%92%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BD%D0%BE,_%D0%90%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BD_%D0%AD%D0%B4%D1%83%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87 Vaino], a diplomat, from a family where grandfather was a first secretary of communist party of Estonia (1978-88). Ivanov ''remains on Russian security council'' (and Vaino added, too). Move was [http://rusvesna.su/news/1470998583 explained] by Ivanov desire to serve no more than 4 years as administration chief; he served since 2011. His new role is presidential special representative for nature preservation, ecology, transport. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lq2JbVNSLU Video] of transition announcement meeting appeared, with Ivanov feeling very comfortable with the development. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:31, 12 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
:Some Russian commentators note that Ivanov son has [http://www.thenational.ae/uae/russian-banker-drowns-in-uae died] in a swimming accident in UAE in November, 2014, possibly contributing to Ivanov wish to step down from his current post--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:48, 12 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
Ivanov was interested in nature preservation for a long time. He was on the board of a nonprofit entity to preserve leopards since 2011. In his 2013 interview, he said "with age, you come to a sad conclusion that with cats and dogs it is more comfortable than with some people"; also saying that nothing is really being produced in Moscow, there are just some cleaners, drivers, 'office plankton', journalists + bureaucrats (added in response to further question). He spent considerable portion of the [http://www.rbc.ru/newspaper/2013/10/01/56c0b19a9a7947299f72dcae interview] on leopards and gepards. However, there is a ministry of natural resources and ecology, and a ministry of transport in the Russian government, so impact of a single presidential representative without staff and resources in uncertain. It seems to be an open-ended appointment, where one can do little on officially declared issues and have the ministries as a fall back option; or can be a pioneer/at the frontier, as large portions of the country territory are not developed, largely because of lack of roads. Ecology issues are important in deciding what territory should or should not be developed. It may be also a position on a 'reserve' bench but he can be quickly deployed to a front role if the need arises, say if sanctions and economy pain is suddenly too much to keep Medvedev. This is such a reshuffle where no new independent face has entered the scene (and nobody really left it). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:32, 13 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Peskov 'has not seen or heard' that Russian officials were 'recommended' to bring their children studying abroad and family members back to Russia -[http://tass.ru/politika/3696015 TASS]. Nobody else heard about that, either.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 17:39, 11 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Duma===<br />
According to [http://www.newsru.com/russia/07nov2016/refrainfrom.html media reports], <s> "United Russia" recommended </s> ex-Crimea prosecutor general, now Duma deputy (and [https://www.rt.com/news/195096-poklonskaya-dark-hair-crimea/ eye-candy]) Natalya Poklonskayaa to <s> avoid further media activity</s>, after a sequence of her controversial pronouncements in media. That started with her supporting a request to investigate a new, not yet released movie [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9QESOBmBzE 'Matilda'], about the last Tsar and his love interest, ballerina [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathilde_Kschessinska Matilda Ksehinskaya], on the accusation of 'anti-religious propaganda'. (That would go against artistic freedoms of the film director (Uchitel- a well-known established director) , and reflects general trend of tightening liberties gained after the USSR collapse, and increased role of the Christian Orthodox church in the society. Tsar Nikolai II and his family were executed by Bolsheviks in 1918, and quite recently, 2000, were [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%8F_%D1%86%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B9_%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BC%D1%8C%D0%B8 declared saints] by the Russian Christian Orthodox church). Poklonskaya misadventures were followed by a mis-attribution of a quote from Griboedov's "Woe from Wit" (that used to be part of a school program in Russia, --but her education was in Ukrainian system). It was followed by her calling Lenin in addition to Hitler as villains of the century (attitudes towards Lenin differ but equating Lenin to Hitler would be a controversial public comment in Russia). Those statements interfered with her previous image of pretty but tough prosecutor, with some cult following (in Japanese anime art, references in recent Russian movies, etc)--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:43, 7 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
:Update: "United Russia" [http://tass.ru/politika/3764438 denied Poklonskaya media ban report]--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:57, 7 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Territorial Concessions===<br />
* [https://lenta.ru/russia/2004/10/20/islands/ Amur river islands Tarabarov, Great Ussuriisk], around 337 km^2 given to China in 2004, and following Gorbachev signing treaty on demarcation line by Amur river waterway in 1991 and subsequent Chinese irrigation/engineering project changing river flow<br />
* [http://www.vlg.aif.ru/politic/gover/67697 175,000 km^2 shelf zone given to Norway] in 2010, half of disputed, oil ans gas rich area.<br />
* Proposed by Putin 'Khikivake' (no winners or losers- judo) [https://www.inopressa.ru/article/30Apr2013/inotheme/rus_japan.html explored] by Russia and Japan regarding Kuril islands; the latest is Japanese business delegation [https://rg.ru/2017/06/28/iaponskaia-delegaciia-ocenit-vozmozhnosti-dlia-biznesa-na-iuzhnyh-kurilah.html visiting] Kuril islands (Jun. 2017), to report on possible business development projects. The whole issue is warily watched by Russian 'patriotic opposition' vigorously opposed to further territorial concessions.<br />
*:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:26, 29 June 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Japan? ====<br />
November 2018, renewed talk about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet%E2%80%93Japanese_Joint_Declaration_of_1956 declaration of 1956], giving two of the Kuril islands to Japan; the talk alarmed patriotic opposition which strongly declared an intent to oppose it. Strelkov's grandfather fought in the Soviet-Japanese war of 1945, I recon. Not only his. What will that generation say now, if they may? I guess, they would not rush into it, not at all, especially for reasons of needs of the day, on a weak-footed approach. Will they hold it sort of sacred? Neither, I guess. With something truly theirs, make use (or, sometimes, let go); if theirs jointly, jointly to figure. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:42, 18 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
: +[https://echo.msk.ru/programs/observation/2316456-echo/ Venediktov]: Simultaneously with the statements about the 56th year and about the peace treaty with Japan, very few people noticed that Putin accidentally — he had everything by chance — [https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2018/11/17/vstrechu-putina-s-tachi-serby-vosprinyali-s-gorechyu-i-zlostyu met with the former field commander and now the president of Kosovo].<br />
<br />
===Response to sanctions===<br />
Sanctions worsen economic situation of ordinary people. They are introduced, apparently, in the hope of creating pressure or unrest causing change of behavior or non-military regime change. According to well-known patriotic opposition figure, recently there has been increased serious competition on top between pro-Western oligarchical 'globalists' and 'siloviki' ('force men', military, services, and such; plus MIC and non-globalist oligarchs, perhaps). Consequences of such competition may include defeat of globalists and military escalations in hotspots. Also a softpower version of the same is reported, including anecdotal evidence that a new political association is being created, patriotic/monarchist sort, Malofeev-Borodai sort. I suspect that economic protests will be subdued for a while and visible net result of all those under-carpet movements close to zero, however with a buildup of tensions and slow drift towards global abyss. There is also a potential for rapid big moves, not of a pleasant sort (for anybody) . --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:40, 9 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2018/08/12/the-self-imposed-impotence-of-the-russian-and-chinese-governments/ The Self-Imposed Impotence of the Russian and Chinese Governments]-PC Roberts, 12 Aug. 2018<br />
: Good, well written article. But a bit detached from reality. (1) Western trade is a source of wealth for the elites. Cutting it off needs very major restructuring of those streams, taking years. They want to keep enjoying life in their lifetime, in fact right now, and not as an abstract eventual possibility (2) In case of Russia, not enough is produced locally to cut off oil and gas sales as well as imports straight away. It can be fixed, but it has not been, and is difficult in a crunch. People were hooked up on consumerism, glamour babes, kids yearning Western goods, adults, about the same, China, same thing too. They are kept hooked up, in exchange for letting the governments a slack. So governments are in no rush to change this situation, unless it is up against the wall. But it may get there, into a wall, with a huge recoil, not to be enjoyed, by anyone, anywhere --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:18, 16 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Military===<br />
*[https://ria.ru/20190302/1551501526.html The General Staff of Russia explained the essence of the American "Trojan Horse"] -''RIA'', March 2, 2019. Robo-translated bits below. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:28, 3 March 2019 (UTC) <br />
<br />
:The Pentagon has begun to develop a new strategy of warfare "Trojan Horse", said the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces - First Deputy Minister of Defense Army General Valery Gerasimov. He noted that Russia is ready to respond to this within the framework of an active defense strategy. Its (= US strategy) essence lies in the active use of the protest potential of the "fifth column" in the interests of destabilizing the situation while simultaneously attacking with high precision weapons ([https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Высокоточное_оружие ВТО]-Russ.) the most important objects.<br />
<br />
:The Russian response is based on an active defense strategy that (given the defensive nature of the Russian military doctrine) provides for measures to proactively neutralize threats to the security of the state.<br />
<br />
:Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General David Goldfein, who spoke at the Brookings Research Institute in Washington, spoke about the new strategy of combat operations. According to him, the Pentagon was pushed by “threats” from Russia and China to this. The general called the main feature of the strategy the covert penetration deep into the territory of the enemy and striking not on the strong, but on its weak sides.<br />
*[https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/6178016 The General Staff of the Russian Federation spoke about the development of the US strategy of color revolutions using weapons] -''TASS'', March 2, 2019<br />
<br />
====GRU====<br />
2 November, 2018 Putin [http://rusvesna.su/news/1541171460 proposes] to restore the name 'GRU' (Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces). Current name is GU (Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces). He also praises the service on the 100 years anniversary of military intelligence--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:01, 2 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
22 November. GRU chief Igor' Korobov, 62, died - [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46298959 BBC], [http://tass.com/defense/1031941 TASS] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 03:48, 22 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
:'' BBC's 'understood' is an apparent reference to [http<br />
<br />
===FSO===<br />
*[http://rusvesna.su/news/1542952673 ФСО объяснила полёты военных вертолётов над Кремлём] -''Rusvesna'', November 22, 2018 <br />
*[https://lenta.ru/news/2018/11/22/heli_kreml/ На новом видео с вертолетами над Кремлем заметили вооруженных людей] -''lenta.ru'', November 22, 2018<br />
<br />
===Surkov===<br />
*[http://www.ng.ru/ideas/2019-02-11/5_7503_surkov.html Владислав Сурков: Долгое государство Путина] О том, что здесь вообще происходит (Vladislav Surkov: the long state of Putin. About what is happening here at all) -"Novaya Gazeta", 11 February, 2019. Blog copies: [http://privat-mnenie.ru/eksklyuziv/275-statya-vladislava-surkova-dolgoe-gosudarstvo-putina-polnyj-tekst.html 1]. Translations: Fort Russ, Feb. 16; Saker, Feb. 14, etc. <br />
<br />
;Responses<br />
*[https://izborsk-club.ru/16492 Alexandr Dugin: Putin or Super-Putin] -''Izborgskii Klub'', February 12, 2019. Translations: Fort Russ, Feb. 16.<br />
<br />
;Comment.<br />
I'd say, this is in "not even wrong" category. It is not up to the chief architect of 'software' (soft power/ideology/PR/media) to tell how that this system has to be viewed, or how long that 'software' will last. Immediate question would be sincerity and self-interest of such pronouncements. Ideas-wise, reminds of Zinoviev, noting that post 'cata-stroika' it resorts to some pre-Soviet notions, idealized, not to the immediately preceding period; likewise here, 'deep people/nation' is similar to the Tsar Nikolai I motto, "Orthodoxy, autocracy" (aka sovereign democracy), "peoplism" ('sacred' version of going back to the people, not populism in the preset negative sense). Indeed, as Dugin points out, any genuinely consistent framework is wiped out, and replaces by fake replicas and combinations of things which do not combine, in an art of puppet-mastery. Will that last? Why would it? OK, maybe, if nobody can agree and this is some sort of bad falling trap, hard to escape. But far more likely, either turn to much more robust nationalism, aimed at economic and mental re-build of the country, and quite possibly more anti-Western; or some version of surrender of national ideas to the point of external governance, something like present Bulgaria, Baltics, etc, natural resources/agriculture supplement to the world proper, with all the neoliberal political correctness and other ways and means indistinguishable from the West --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:25, 17 February 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The future should be up to future leaders, that would be the best way forward, not artificial constructs mummifying the status quo. But there should be measures in effect to prevent strife; - and old leaders would have to be protected. There needs to be natural and bloodless change, to ensure upward progress; and stepping down should not be feared as part of this. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 03:51, 18 February 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
== Economy==<br />
Financial Times: EU blocked nuclear deal between Russia and Hungary [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9a6467e2-c8c1-11e4-8617-00144feab7de.html#axzz3UDFesDDF FT, 12.03.15] . --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:37, 12 March 2015 (UTC)<br />
: [http://tass.ru/en/world/782568 EU: we did not] (this is 'only' about fuel, not the whole project) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:48, 13 March 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
Greece and Russia plan to sign an agreement, with Moscow providing 3 to 5 bln euro financing to Greece, said to be for building gas network hooking up to Turkish stream, with repayment from transit fees[http://tass.ru/ekonomika/1913089 TASS]-Quoting Spiegel. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 02:07, 18 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
:Peskov [http://tass.ru/ekonomika/1913718 denied] the story (the way it was reported at least) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:17, 19 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
7.7.15 [http://www.vestifinance.ru/articles/59685 Saudis to invest up to 10 bln $] into a joint investment fund with Russia. Earlier reports [http://lenta.ru/news/2015/06/16/saud_iscander/ described] Saudi interest in the Russian ' Iskander' missile system. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:40, 7 July 2015 (UTC)<br />
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Turkey is to [http://www.rg.ru/2015/07/07/reg-kfo/turkey.html invest] 12 bln $ in Crimea-construction, tourism, agriculture industry --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:44, 7 July 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Negotiations on Turkish gas stream were suspended for a while; but now a discount sought by Turkey was [http://www.gazeta.ru/business/news/2015/07/31/n_7423753.shtml agreed]. Another reported earlier disagreement is that Russia seeks to have 4 lines built, while Turkey is said to favor just one, leading to Turkey. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:56, 31 July 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Oil [http://www.topoilnews.com/ goes towards] $ 30 a barrel... [http://ru.reuters.com/article/topNews/idRUKCN0UP1Q620160111?sp=true Reuters:] 10 % budget sequestration planned. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:24, 11 January 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://lenta.ru/news/2016/01/27/plan/ RBK learned details of anti-crisis plan of the government], lenta.ru, 27.1.16. <br />
737 billion rubles for structural changes in the economy. Budget and Russian [http://www.vestifinance.ru/articles/64067 anti-crisis fund] money will be used.<br />
<br />
[http://kommersant.ru/doc/2997059 Russia mulls introducing own crypto-currency] (non anonymous unlike bitcoin, for one thing) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:50, 27 May 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Opinions===<br />
[http://lenta.ru/video/2016/01/20/potapenko/ Dmitriy Potapenko interview], lenta.ru, Jan. 20, 2016. Briefly, talks about general problems of running business in Russia. That includes tight dependence of business from government, starting from the early days when oligarchs were 'appointed' by authorities; those were able to privatize major assets, and only small chips were left. Such sort of relations between government and business largely remained, in his opinion. He also highlights problems such as racketeering, tax avoidance, public funds mis-allocation, lack of legal protection for business, and lack of open popular discussion of those issues,-- saying he is essentially alone raising all that publicly. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:36, 20 January 2016 (UTC)<br />
:But there are some successes not from the 'appointed', in technology (e.g. Milner ); some successful farmers; etc. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 02:15, 20 January 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqsZqQr_No4 Economist Sergey Gubanov interviewed by Marat Musin: "Fourth Industrial Revolution: a myth or reality?"]<br />
:Advocates (re) industrialization, as opposed to monetarism /finance-based economy. By 4th industrialization he means technologies and, more or less, automation of production and de-assembly, running full closed cycle. Critical of current government policies, such as proposed privatization of state assets and budget sequester, saving on most vulnerable population groups, science, education, health, culture. Highlights that (1) according to official statistics for 2015, effectiveness of capital investment is (-16) % (definitions =?) (2) net export of goods is about 13 % of GDP --which he links with overall inflation of about 15 % <br />
:Conjectures that recent Kissinger visit to Moscow could be to offer increase in oil price in exchange for compromises on Syrian ceasefire <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:43, 24 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2016/09/28/can-russia-learn-from-brazils-fate-paul-craig-roberts-and-michael-hudson/ Can Russia Learn From Brazil’s Fate? — Paul Craig Roberts and Michael Hudson], 28 Sept. 2016 <br />
:''There is a huge difference between the money created by the central bank and the money created by foreign creditors. Money lent by foreign banks in the form or US dollars or euros must be repaid with interest in the foreign exchange in which the money was lent. Money created by the central bank to finance public infrastructure projects does not have to be repaid at all, much less with interest and in foreign exchange earned by exports.<br />
:Noted: [http://www.global-rates.com/interest-rates/central-banks/central-bank-russia/cbr-interest-rate.aspx Russian central bank interest rate] makes business loans (too) expensive.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:47, 10 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Putin somewhat softened pension reform (smaller age increase for women, measures to protect employment of older workers). There is neither an outcry nor joy of happiness in the public reaction. Both democratic and patriotic opposition offered critical commentary. Pro-government commenters tried to play it up a bit. (No particular sample of this stands out, so staying descriptive).--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 05:15, 31 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Yukos===<br />
[http://www.pcacases.com/web/sendAttach/420 Yukos vs Russian Federation], In The Matter Of An Arbitration Before A Tribunal Constituted In Accordance With Article 26 Of The Energy Charter Treaty And The 1976 Uncitral Arbitration Rules, 18 July 2014 (and currently under appeal?)<br />
*Yukos ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Khodorkovsky Khodrkovskii]) and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosneft Rosneft] (Government is majority holder, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Sechin Sechin] is director) have [http://rusvesna.su/third_world/1427893050 reached a settlement] of all of their disputes. It is said that the settlement is payment-free. Yukos-Russia case is separate from this. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:28, 1 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
*[http://tass.ru/en/politics/845979 Kremlin says measures are being taken in response to attempts to arrest Russian property], TASS (Eng.), Dec 22, 2015. 'Former Yukos shareholders achieved arrest of payments by launch services provider Arianespace and satellite operator Eutelsat addressed to their Russian counterparts'. <br />
*[http://tass.ru/en/politics/846032 Investigators say Tuesday's searches are part of Yukos money laundering probe], TASS (Eng.), Dec 22, 2015.<br />
*[[Russian_non-system_opposition#Khodorkovskii|Russia reopens a criminal case, declares Khodorkovsky arrested in absentia]], Dec. 23, 2015.<br />
<br />
*[https://www.rt.com/business/340321-yukos-court-russia-favor/ Russia wins Hague court appeal over $50bn Yukos judgement], RT, Apr. 20, 2016 (on the basis of lack of jurisdiction).<br />
:[http://www.ft.com/fastft/2016/04/20/dutch-court-rejects-50bn-yukos-claim-against-russia/ Financial Times report]<br />
<br />
===Programs===<br />
Several programs of economic development, 2018-2025 were proposed, includingg<br />
#Liberal/globalist Kudrin program [https://news.mail.ru/economics/29934057/ 1] [http://www.aif.ru/money/economy/kak_kudrin_hochet_udvoit_vvp_programma_reform_ot_eks-ministra_finansov 2] has austerity (raising retirement age) and technology development items<br />
#Businessman [http://stolypinsky.club/economica-rosta/ Titov program] draws attention to stagnation/contraction, calls for financial and legislative support of business. <br />
#[https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3303255 Program by Medvedev government] sees return to GDP growth above world average in the future. <br />
<br />
Economic situation is indeed difficult; some, including economist [http://khazin.ru/articles/179-mnenie-hazina/41334-zapasnogo-varianta-bolshe-net Mikhail Khazin]([http://neoeconomica.com/mikhail-khazin/ about]), & Strelkov, 'panick' a bit raising potential of non-evolutionary or catastrophic change, with little room (or even no chance) to avoid it. It is likely over-panicking; sky is rarely falling down and life goes on. Despite problems, suddenly low oil price, ridiculous situation with credit, etc. agriculture is OK and prosper, so there should be food at least; and buildings and utilities are already there. With non-evolutionary change, what that will look like? Some militarized, neo-Stalinist (at least non-globalist) regime? No good alternative for having an evolution. -Yet something happened suddenly in Venezuela; so, bad scenarios are not impossible in principle; those guys seem to be taking a largely emotional ride with those. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:29, 12 June 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Re-industrialization?====<br />
Many plants were closed, sold for scrap, past 1991; there are long lists on the web, discussed and lamented. (In the West, de-industrialization too, perhaps smarter, with biggest money-makers kept, or invented, but still a lot of real things are produced in China, or Mexico. With huge capital rather sitting in unreal things like iphones or internet shopping or google). There is Russian patriotic opposition talk on re-industrialization. Unclear how it can come about though, with no capital or enough highly motivated idealists to bring it about. Prevailing mode on the top of food chain is still natural resources based. Evolution towards industrial self-sufficiency?--Possibly, but not great deal of momentum going there right now. Oligarchs are into natural resources mostly, and bureaucrats do not make industrial output either. Small business, mostly re-selling, services, or agriculture. Stalinist methods of industrialization are not readily available, even if still imagined. But there are some signs of evolutionary industrial progress, with more things starting to get produced. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:56, 14 June 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Nord Stream 2 ===<br />
[https://www.nord-stream2.com/project/construction/ Constructing the Pipeline] -Nord Stream 2. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:33, 26 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
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===Technology===<br />
*[http://www.moonofalabama.org/2017/08/nyt-russia-stifles-its-innovation-by-pursuing-fraud.html NYT - Russia Wants Innovation, But It’s Arresting Its Fraudsters] -Moon of Alabama, 10 August, 2017<br />
*:It's quite refreshing to see a not uniformly critical article on Russian affairs. What happened in reality is probably messier than a partisan narrative. This company is said to change filter type, from photo-catalyses based (that requires electricity) to adsorption-catalyses based (that does not, or requires less). The company believed their new filter is OK, and did tests to confirm; regulators thought it's not properly approved; but the approval process may be not very mature; and a legal assault by competitors is not out of question too. Some, not unreasonable, article, [https://en.crimerussia.com/gromkie-dela/who-contracted-innovative-businessman-dmitry-trubitsyn/ here] (some strange Honk Kong based [https://crimerussia.com/about/ media company] with a Russian-speaking editor...Funding, backers--no clue. )--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 05:24, 12 August 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Stats===<br />
*[http://atlas.cid.harvard.edu/explore/?country=186&partner=undefined&product=undefined&productClass=HS&startYear=undefined&target=Product&year=2017 Russian exports], 2016 data, Harvard atlas, Growth Lab @ Center for International Development at Harvard University --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:22, 5 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Arts, Sciences, Society==<br />
[http://www.sql.ru/forum/904735/perechityvaya-brodskogo-vot-natknulsya "On Ukrainian Independence"] by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Brodsky Joseph Brodsky] <br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iLLxIdR4dw video, 1992]-likely recorded in the US. <br />
::Quite untranslatable--Heavy, pro-Russian, linguistic firepower ... --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:22, 10 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Very different stuff, Sergei Lavrov-[http://www.1tvnet.ru/content/show/sergei-lavrov-opublikoval-stihi-o-zagranice_31784.html poems about foreign lands]...<br />
:Kind of nostalgic, as if he emigrated ... --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:31, 10 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_Plisetskaya Maya Plisetskaya] (20 November 1925 – 2 May 2015), [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prima_ballerina_assoluta prima ballerina assoluta] -Bolshoi<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWqciLh4sDc Johann Sebastian Bach, Prelude]<br />
:Debut-[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC26g0yHz_k Black Swan], 1947. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-AMH_Woywg Dying Swan], 1959.<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsSALaDJuN4 Bolero] (choreography by Maurice Béjart)<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:23, 10 May 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Northern Palmyra===<br />
Norther Palmyra, in Russian literature from the end of 18 century, is a name for St Petersburg, which was compared by richness and beauty with an ancient city of Palmyra in Syria. [http://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enc1p/42710 modern Encyclopedia online (Russian)] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:07, 15 May 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
St Petersburg International Economic Forum ended, [http://tass.ru/ekonomika/2059708 over 200 contracts signed.] [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/02/carla-bruni-dazzles-at-st_n_482971.html Carla Bruni (here with Medvedev, 2010)], wife of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, [http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/20/us-russia-putin-idUSKBN0P00JG20150620 gave a concert, followed by a midnight dinner]. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:17, 20 June 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Literature===<br />
"Authorities do not need un-manageable friends. Authorities need manageable enemies". Victor Pelevin, Lamp of Methuselah or the final battle of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheka Chekists] and Masons, 2016. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:10, 7 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Censorship and state control===<br />
[http://www.svoboda.org/a/28074008.html Konstantin Raikin on censorship in art] -''Radio Svoboda'', October 25, 2016<br />
:There is constitutional ban on [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A6%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B7%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B0_%D0%B2_%D0%A0%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B9_%D0%A4%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B8 censorshop in Russia]. However it is resurgent in the form of 'groups of citizens whose feelings were hurt' (several closures of controversial theater productions, exhibitions, etc). Raikin makes passionate appeal for freedom or art and 'industry solidarity'. His talk proved to be controversial and quite widely discussed, including a [http://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/2016/10/25/662327-peskov-tsenzuru reply by Peskov] (no censorship, but 'if state funds a production it has a right to designate a topic'...), and from [http://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/2016/10/26/662466-minkulturi-raikinu ministry of culture] ('funding of Raikin's 'Satirkon' increased, but attendance is lowest among federal theaters'...). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:43, 27 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Cultural precursors to war in Ukraine?===<br />
Crimea was always present somewhere in the consciousness ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/72_Meters 72 meters] movie, for one example), yet in general before it happened it was quite impossible to imagine. Belovezh agreement trio could not foresee that coming--known from recent [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz3X1uywfgo interviews] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gennady_Burbulis Burbulis] for Russia; with English translation). Yet strangely movies [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_(1997_film) "Brother"] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_2 "Brother 2"] captured some mood in the air back in 1997, time when disappointment in Yeltsin was setting in yet it was very far from a new chapter. Featuring turf violence, strive for truth yet reliance on strength of arms (+ money), nationalism (at expense of 'non-Russian Russians', some more than the others). 'Russians do not leave theirs behind', 'Are you Bandera?', 'and you will still have to answer for Crimea/Sevastopol !' is all there already, with plenty of shooting in all directions too. Strange feeling from seeing that thing from the 90's now ('Brother' in there is more like organised crime/street toughs salutation than when used for brotherly 'non-brother' nation of Ukraine, yet it's the same word). Sergey Bodrov, playing the main character, was a rising film star before he died in avalanche filming in the mountains for another movie. Two short music video clips, perhaps conveying some of the spirit; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqPUL0MLGOY Brother] (St. Petersburg, to the music of "Nautilus' band, mysteriously worded -some Animal hidden by night-possibly either demonic or suicidal in undertones, according to various commentators); [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTiFIdSzaSI Brother 2] (visit to USA here-and a fair amount of pointed. if quite stereotypical, mockery)--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 05:17, 25 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Science/math/Social Science===<br />
<small> Not the focus of this shoutwiki </small><br />
<br />
Mathematician, algebraist and controversial author [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Shafarevich Shafarevich] [http://narodtv.com/blogs/94 died]. Apart from algebra, for a long time spoke on social concepts ('small nation within bigger nation'; 'Russophobia'). Early on, that was understood to be anti-Semitic; in the last [http://narodtv.com/blogs/94 linked] video he argues along the lines of that being russophobic part of intelligentsia. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:17, 21 February 2017 (UTC)<br />
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[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludvig_Faddeev Ludvig Faddeev], [http://tass.ru/nauka/4051870 died] 26 Feb. 2017.<br />
<br />
===Antisemitism ===<br />
No systematic coverage planned, but once happened to be on this topic now, --it's on the rise, and quite a lot of it in patriotic opposition/Russian world social media. Even those quite rational like Strelkov puts some muted versions once in a while (no clue why, and what to make of Kolomoiskii claim that he 'knows' him to be Jewish--in exact sense unspecified). Mozgovoi also had some of it once in a while; both him and Strelkov in rather mild/muted way, more like anti-oligarchy and pro-patriotism. But there are bad and very bad versions of that too, and volume is on the increase. Some aggressive comments in pro-Russian English-language media are clearly seen. Saker among the leaders here. Recent example, was wondering what that [http://thesaker.is/trump-dreams-vs-trump-reality-hopes-still-permitted/ diatribe] means<br />
:''End what I would call the “dictatorship of the minorities” and replace it with a restoration of the sovereignty of the majority of the American people over their country. The “Rachel Maddows” who used to be the “ideological masters” of the AngloZionist regime would be gently ushered towards the doors and replaced by people most Americans could identify with.<br />
Like, who the hell is 'Rachel Maddows'. On inspection, that refers to an annoying lefty talk show host on one of the US MSM channels (MSNBC). On further inspection, she is Jewish, according to wikipedia ... --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:52, 21 February 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Social Life===<br />
Former holiday of the Great October Socialist Revolution (Nov. 7)<br />
*[https://echo.msk.ru/blog/m_naumova/2087012-echo/ The Russians had more important things to do than follow the iPhone and the tales of Navalny ...], by teenage girl weightlifting champ Maryana Naumova, Echo Moskvy, 6 Nov. 2017 <br />
*[https://echo.msk.ru/blog/corruption/2087946-echo/ 7 November], by Alexey Navalnyi, Echo Moskvy, 7 Nov. 2017<br />
:''...great and terrible day...''<br />
*:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:35, 7 November 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
On this day of 7 November, 2017, Vladislav Surkov (presently soft power adviser to the Russian president, [http://www.nomad.su/?a=3-200505190015 formerly] into theater, business PR, and some army service) writes a piece for RT [https://russian.rt.com/world/article/446944-surkov-krizis-licemeriya Crisis of hypocrisy. "I hear America singing"]. With a plug for US metallic rock group 5FDP and their 'Wash away', a revelation that when old hypocrisy language/mode becomes overused, a new hypocrisy dawns, and a vision of 'the Roman Republic' (='the West') replaced by a 'Roman Empire' , with some 'Tsar' taking over. (No smoking choice details provided, and with Strelkov among dedicated readership). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:41, 7 November 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Personas===<br />
*[https://www.facebook.com/margarita.simonyan.5/posts/10156217691737305 Margarita Simonyan] -''Facebook'' post, 18 April, 2018 ([https://putnik1.livejournal.com/6743364.html review]), ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margarita_Simonyan Wikipedia]) <br />
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imroLDl5rFg 'Red corner with Yelena Sharoikina'], ''Tsargrad TV'' -interview with Konstantin Malofeev ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konstantin_Malofeev#Involvement_in_the_War_in_Donbass Wikipedia]), 9 September, 2017<br />
* Iosif Davidovich Kobzon, 'Sinatra of Moscow', died. He had many titles and awards, including Honored Artist/People's Artist of Checheno Ingushetia (1964), Russia, USSR, Ukraine (withdrawn) , Dagestan, Ossetia, Moldova. He was one of the few who participated in hostage crisis negotiations on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_theater_hostage_crisis Dubrovka] and was one of the few who went inside, returning back with a few released hostages (while Nemtsov did not go, after a call from the president asking not to). [http://rusvesna.su/news/1535633416 Kadyrov] was among the first to send tributes. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:20, 30 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
*:Concerts in Afghanistan in the 80's -an [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vKU83TIHSw old video], an [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKJVBwaVVFQ interview, 2011]; somebody else ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lou9yhHRgFs 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijAHrD4qcT4 2]) performing a song 'Remember Afghanistan', which he [http://rusvesna.su/news/1535632691 sang in Lvov] in 2013.<br />
<br />
===Music===<br />
Somehow, societal center of mass seems to move from the 'Russian rock' (Grebenshikov/Shevchuk/Tsoy) to rap. That's what they say younger Donbass defenders listen to (Motorola), and perhaps civilian nonconformists or tough glamour types (the latter like in USA but without the racial aspect). This TASS test, [http://tass.ru/tests/167 Mayakovsky or Russian rap], seems to be surprisingly difficult. Looking through a list of performers who refused to perform at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashestvie 'Nashestvie'] festival, to do with MoD sponsoring it, I discovered (for myself) this young charts-topping (sometimes) wonder-woman Monetochka' ('a little coin-girl'). Style, uncertain, some R&B here, of Russian sort. <br />
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hJOCCXPwT8 Monetochka- 'No coins'] ([https://genius.com/Monetochka-no-money-lyrics lyrics])<br />
*:Partial 'un-rapping' translation: лофт -loft; Татушки: tattoo (context unclear); Cubase -[https://www.steinberg.net/en/products/cubase/start.html Cubase]; эмси -MC, master of ceremonies/[https://www.darsaal.com/dictionary/amp/german-to-english/conferancier.html conferancier]; проги -programs; слоу-мо -slow motion; хейтер -[https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hater hater]; кипишуя ([https://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/dic_synonims/225672/кипиш кипиш]) - ruckus, bedlam, scandal, from Yiddish חופּות , [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuppah Chuppah], wedding canopy, in slang, they say, a theft assisted by an attractive prostitute --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:13, 29 July 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Opposition and NGO==<br />
===Non-System opposition===<br />
Discussed [[Russian_non-system_opposition|elsewhere]]<br />
<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valeriya_Novodvorskaya Novodvorskaya] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeSBtua3n-M video appeal] to 'Donbass militants'. Had an allergy to her (considering erratic/illogical/flaky). But this appeal is among the strongest of all. "My dear and darling, what is that you are planning to die for? ". June 19, 2014. She was a dissident, starting from the Soviet times, never ending. Died recently. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 03:04, 21 February 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
April 4, 2017. Some turbulence ahead? Khodorkovskiy; anti-Putin themed protests planned on 29 April ([https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B5%D0%BB #надоел]; Engl. version on FR.), following anti-corruption meetings in march targeting PM. Authorities are said to plan anti-terrorism meetings in earlier protest places (media [http://www.newsru.com/russia/04apr2017/antiterror.html reports], 4 April). Strelkov warns on social media, 'in the coming month, I expect very serious events with completely unpredictable consequences. Have reasonably firm grounds for it. No further comment will be made'. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 08:17, 5 April 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Duels====<br />
Russia's National Guards (Rosguardia) director Zolotarev [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VZy8GyO4aI challenged] Navalnyi to a (physical-fistfight) duel, after some critical output by Navalnyi along his usual anti-corruption lines, to do with feeding soldiers here. Navalnyi response is pending; he is under administrative 30 days arrest, and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3N_xZ5nisg cannot], according to [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Соболь,_Любовь_Эдуардовна Lubov' Sobol], respond or even watch the video of the challenge. Strelkov criticized the move: in a physical duel Navalnyi stands no chance, in debates, the other way around; the Highest Approved Duel Code ([http://www.vokrugsveta.ru/article/259345/ Alexander III, 1894]) categorically banned duels between military and civilians (and duels were only for nobility). (uffff...) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:38, 11 September 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Dissidents (historic)====<br />
Anniversary of the demonstration, 'for our and your freedom!', of 8 adults +one child on 25 August 1968 in the Red Square, Moscow, against USSR invasion in Czechoslovakia after Prague Spring events. One of participants, Pavel Litvinov, and a son of another participant-Natalya Gorbanevskaya, Echo Moskvy, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eFtm7vkpPM video], [https://echo.msk.ru/programs/sut/2263156-echo/ text], 24 August, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:39, 25 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Right Wing===<br />
*BORN group. <br />
:[http://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/1695404.html Novia Gazeta, 24.7.15], [http://tass.ru/en/russia/810523 TASS-English] : Ilya Goryachev was given a life sentence in a colony with special regime. He was found guilty of forming an armed gang, the creation of an extremist community, illicit arms trafficking, as well as complicity in five murders: antifascists Fyodor Filatov and Ilya Japaridze, lawyer Stanislav Markelov (who was involved in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuri_Budanov Budanov murder case] blamed on Chechen extremists), migrant Salohiddin Azizov and a member of the gang "Black Hawks" Rasul Khalilov. Other members of the gang have been convicted: Nikita Tikhonov, Maxim Baklagina and Vyacheslav Isaev were also sentenced to life terms, Mikhail Volkov sentenced to 24 years of strict regime. <br />
:[http://www.rg.ru/sujet/3544/index.html Rossiiskaia Gazeta-Markelov murder investigation]<br />
:[http://top.rbc.ru/politics/15/05/2015/5555f33b9a79470fd07a7197 Igor Krasnov] was chief investigator. Subsequently the first investigator of Nemtsov murder; later promoted to the Head of 'a new structure of the Investigation Committee, which will include the best investigators'.<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 02:38, 26 July 2015 (UTC)<br />
*NOD (National Liberation movement)<br />
:Apparently, supported by Duma deputy [http://eafedorov.ru/ Evgenii Fedorov]. <br />
:Poster girl: Marina Katasonova: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=GduzJ8N6f-4&app=desktop rookie reporter-failed video]; [http://photocdn1.itar-tass.com/width/744_b12f2926/tass/m2/uploads/i/20151125/4136668.jpg at the Turkish Embassy];[https://twitter.com/KatasonovaMaria/status/669450779770626050 Navalnyi, interrupted] ; [http://rusvesna.su/news/1438402531 in a locker with Graham Phillips -Nemtsov sightseeing tour.]<br />
<br />
===Dugin===<br />
*Recent piece [http://fortruss.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/enantiodromia-in-russian-politics.html translated at Fort Rus]. Clearly bright and original, but this is an example of excessive theoretical superstructuring going pretty much nowhere and offering no solution. Do not see why is that differences between hawks and doves in Russia are intrinsically much more antagonistic than in the West. Nothing really preventing hawks and doves in Russia to work on a common goal, apart from some constructs in (his) philosophy. Do not think the West is the united land of liberalism, as he describes. People are the same everywhere, and all the issues have their parallels, East or West. Including what he (too briefly) describes under 'bureaucracy', which is of concern, in the new republics and in Russia proper (but not uniquely just over there...). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:29, 23 November 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==='Patriotic Opposition'===<br />
Mostly critical of the Russian involvement in Syria, as continued violence in Donbass and other real problems of Russia will not be solved there --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:20, 4 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Народно-патриотический_союз_России PDS NPSR] (Постоянно Действующее Совещание Национально-Патриотических Сил России-Permanent Conference of the National Patriotic Forces of Russia) (Yurii Boldyrev, Pavel Grudinin,...), allied with the communists in the latest presidential elections<br />
*Strelkov<br />
*...<br />
<br />
;Vladimir Kvachkov<br />
Retired GRU/spetsnaz colonel; charged with an attempt to assassinate Chubais (talked about right for liberation, etc in court; found not guilty); sentenced to a prison term for extremism, preparing armed mutiny; also known for his [https://ekishev-yuri.livejournal.com/310559.html appeal to patriotic officers corps], which calls for a revolution/taking to arms, and includes antisemitic passages (e.g. international globalists are presented as a 'Jewish criminal association', etc.). This appeal was sent for expert evaluation for extremism, but was not found to be extremist; while human rights orgs [http://pravorf.org/index.php/news/882-o-publikaczii-v-gazete-lkolokolr-gvolgograd-obrashheniya-vkvachkova-k-vserossijskomu-oficzerskomu-sobraniyu complained]. <br />
<br />
After Putin submitted a law partially decriminalizing [http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/Document/View/0001201812270078 article 282 of the criminal code] (which was used eg against those re-posting 'wrong' articles on social media, and was broadly unpopular), Kvachkov's lawyers successfully used it to get him [https://govoritmoskva.ru/news/188067/ released from prison early]. <br />
<br />
He would be a notorious /outcast character in the West; but he is popular in patriotic opposition circles. PDS NPSR program had an article calling for his release from prison. <br />
<br />
It is unclear whether there is more to it in Kvachkov's release (why him and now, etc). He may become one of PDS NPSR leaders, making them pretty unacceptable internationally; wonder whether this is the intent, or an accident ? --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:42, 8 February 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Strelkov===<br />
Briefly, compares/sees parallels of developments in present day Russia with those leading to World War I. Critical of at least some parts of the current political establishment in Russia; expresses serious concern, and proposes World War II type steps as a fix... Critical of Russia opening a 'second front' in Syria, while problems in Donbas remain--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:28, 27 November 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
28 March, 2016, right after Kerry visit to Moscow, Strelkov reads on [https://lenta.ru/news/2016/03/28/peskov_atack/ lenta.ru] an article with Peskov discussing planned personal media attack on the Russian president. He than relates the famous, nearly-untranslatable piece from novel 'It's difficult to be Gods', by Russian sci-fi authors, brothers Strugatskii, ----the one about Don Reba meeting His Excellency Vaga, all observed by Don Rumata...(with a punchline, 'they did not agree') --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:33, 3 April 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_qmC53-OAI Interview] to a lady coordinator from the so called 'National Liberation Movement (NOD)', made two days prior to elections. On a long side; entering some bits. Strelkov received education at a history and archive work institute, and he takes the view that Russian history is continuous and consistent, from some 6 century C.E. to present day. Main goal of his [http://novorossia.pro/ "Novorossia" movement] is to make sure some historic line is continued, and not become extinct like [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire Byzantine Empire], remaining of relevance for only some dozen of experts. (He fears that current developments are leading towards collapse or Latin American scenarios; accepts there may be good present day developments yet considers only the Russian language as an undamaged heritage). Priorities, top to bottom, are people, nation, state. There are considerable differences in his movement on a particular model of state to admire, with unifying theme of the people/nation (noted: this may be from vague all the way to very controversial notion in a multi-ethnic multi-religion country; exact details are not very clear but policy [http://novorossia.pro/news/odnovorossia/393-manifest-obschestvennogo-dvizheniya-novorossiya-igorya-strelkova.html documents] talk about "Russian World" and that the majority are followers of the Russian Orthodox Church; 'historic union with other major religious confessions' is acknowledged). He also recalls [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%97%D0%B5%D0%BC%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80 Zemskii Sobor] (approx. "Land/grass-root assembly") structure in Tsarist Russia, in existence until mid-17 century, as an alternative to Western-style democracy. In Zemskii Sobor, representatives from different society classes were sent, and as a result, it was not a Western 1 person=1 vote. To illustrate, he makes a point that e.g. voices of academics should be higher than bums from across his street, etc. (Interviewer asks, like Trade Unions?-Yes.). He does not support or plans to take part in present elections, believing it's a show run from the top; in particular links sudden rise of [[Russian_non-system_opposition#Maltsev|Maltsev]] with Kremlin internal policy chief Voloshin. "It is like in the Soviet days with one CPSU party, just now split into several factions", "whoever you choose, you vote for Putin", etc. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:03, 18 September 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
In a rare occasion, Russian prime time TV show talked about Strelkov, to attack him, on Vladimir Soloviev program, with guests [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Kurginyan Sergey Kurginyan] and Alexander Kofman (wiki [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Igorewitsch_Kofman Ger.] [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%BD,_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D1%80_%D0%98%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87 Russ] ). Kurginyan accused him of running away from Slavyansk; Kofman, essentially of causing the war with Ukraine. Strelkov, on insistence of a media personality friend, recorded a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjxNUEVufJ4 video response], telling that Kiev would have started a war (Donbass or Crimea) anyway; and that Slavyansk did not have military significance, while saving the major portion of fight-capable opolchenie from death in cauldron did. He also reminded that other places (Mariupol, border with Russia, etc) were given to Ukraine by others, not him; and that Zakharchenko and Khodakovskiy battalions were not in real fight or unsuccessful prior to his escape from Slavyansk and arrival to Donetsk. He attributed sudden appearance of the topic on prime time TV to failures of the leadership (Surkov), and what he described as failure of Minsk agreements (and, according to him, unavoidable return to major fighting). Because of those failures, somebody had to be found to blame. (As a side angry comment, the issue of all 3 critics 'being of a particular nationality', = Jewish, came up as well, followed by a play-down). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:42, 4 March 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
17 June 2018. Long post of Strelkov on social media on his family tree. This may aim to show that he is not Jewish (as suggested by some, from, in an approving manner, by Kolomoisky to Strelkov's critics on the nationalistic side). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 20:23, 19 June 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Strelkov-Navalnyi debate====<br />
*Live streams: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ckR1IvNeQI Roy TV]; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjbQdbJUibc Navalnyi-Live], [https://vk.com/tvrain?w=wall-17568841_4884871 Dozhd'-VK]<br />
* [http://navalny.feldman.photo/events/46/photo/527/ Backroom photos] (Feldman).<br />
<br />
Strelkov issues a debate challenge to Navalnyi. Issues raised in the challenge: oligarchy (in the context of anti-corruption drive); Western partners relations; fate of Donbass and Crimea; Navalnyi's questions and format choice encouraged -[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhJttthlPDw Roy TV] , youtube, 5 July, 2017--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 20:48, 8 July 2017 (UTC) <br />
*The challenge was accepted by Navalnyi ('I always support open discussions and debates'). Strelkov: according to the latest info, the debate will be held on July 20 on Thursday evening. Specific time will be determined later. The site and the host are selected by the called party (Navalnyi)- they are not yet determined. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:50, 16 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcpZeOmhfqM Navalnyi's] own 3 debate questions: why Strelkov ever supported Putin and the government; why he repeats thesis that the West is the main threat; who shot down the Boeing (Strelkov provided several times nearly identical answers blaming Ukraine for not closing the airspace).<br />
:My 2pence on Navalnyi questions: (1) For a military person, unlike a politician, not supporting the president and commander-in chief is not an option--but a retired military like Strelkov has a choice; (2) is fairly obvious, and mutual,-- isn't the West considering Russia a threat, in real geopolitical terms, too? An answer made unforgettable in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fau5O9SsUWI 1990 in Zinoviev-Yeltsin debate] may still apply here--with the USSR replaced by Russia: ''what do you think, the goal of the West is for (Russians) to have a wonderful life, be well fed and so on? Nothing can be further from truth! The goal of the West is to cause (Russia) to fall apart!'' (3) he gave his answer, see above. Can't help but notice that Navalnyi gives better performance presentation style-wise, good gesticulation, voice modulation, well-paced, staying positive, hammering his points, flattery to doubters, etc... (clean pronunciation, better hair, lean bodywork, etc...) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 04:57, 19 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
*Strelkov not OK with proposed by Navalnyi debate format, with several 3 min long statements on topics and 30 sec questions. 'This is a format of a talk show, not a debate. It allows somebody with well-trained tongue to pronounce few learned beautiful words, and receive back equally demagogic response. We will insist for longer debate format.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:04, 19 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
*Several videocameras were planned, however Navalnyi insisted on the only video feed provided by his crew @ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgxTPTFbIbCWfTR9I2-5SeQ Navalnyi-live] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:53, 20 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Strelkov Boeing answer: 'opolchenie did not shoot down the Boeing, for the lack of means to shoot it down. All air defense weapons which I had in my disposal included five MANPADs Igla and one Strela-10, which at the time of Boeing shoot down was in Zugres and protecting Zugres. Therefore, oplochenie under my command could not shoot down the Boeing, as in the phrase of 'no way'. I cannot and will not provide other comments, for one simple reason that I did not take part in the investigation, and not even interested in it in principle. ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjbQdbJUibc -29 m in this stream as seen now])--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:40, 20 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
:Mixed feeling from the debate overall, may post more later, basically little move from known in advance positions; one not 100% expected is that Strelkov prefers Putin to Navalnyi for the sake of Crimea and Donbass. Navalnyi essentially saying that (if) he is president he will have to solve real problems and the state of affair is such that there is no money for war. He would follow normal Western route, elections, courts, to fight corruption which takes a significant part of overall budget, etc. Navalnyi will follow Minsk to give border control to Ukraine; Strelkov considers current Ukrainian regime a sort of 'nazi-light', hopes for eventual unificiation of separated Rus' branches; argues that fate of Donbass is linked to that of Crimea, following his usual lines expressed in interviews elsewhere. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:40, 20 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Strelkov-Constantin Semin debate====<br />
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFfIf8oP8vk Дискуссия: Константин Сёмин - Игорь Стрелков] -''youtube'', November 13, 2018, 2 h11 min, debate questions provided in the video description.<br />
*:[https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Сёмин,_Константин_Викторович Constantin Semin] (DOB 1980) is a journalist with (quite rigidly set) communist views. The core disagreement in this debate is Strelkov advocating union of all reasonable pro-Russia forces to overcome (hypothetical, but in his view inevitable, sharp future crisis), followed by mixed economic model subsequently (strong state involvement in large industries, + private small to medium businesses). Semin stiffly maintains throughout that 'capitalists' by their core nature cannot be relied upon, and that with them involved all the hardship will fall onto 'workers'/commoners, and that Strelkov model has 'failed' in a number of historic precedents ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavr_Kornilov Kornilov], Chiang Kai-shek, Mussolini, Pinochet). This youtube channel patrons mostly side with Semin, who provides a rather sharp version of this overall line. Strelkov, apart from his usual stuff, adds that for him people are above state, while in the USSR it was places the other way around, draining people; and that strict economic equality was possibly justified in extreme circumstances during wars but later resulted in demotivating significant number of people, leading to disbelief and eventually bringing it down. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 06:10, 16 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====writings ====<br />
;At a turning point<br />
"4 years after mega-stupidity committed by the Kremlin rulers, we are at a turning point, after which there is capitulation or war. Our 'dear Western partners' have chased Putin and his gnomes to a point after which it is no longer possible to postpone final decisions. The choise must be made ("или - или"): to give up, or to fight seriously, and not just talk. Including by military means (...)<br />
<br />
All vectors I talked about a year ago approached a point of no return, And a decision should be made as soon as possible. <br />
Troubles are unavoidable, and that became to be the case 2 years ago. But it can still follow different scenarios. <br />
And if no decision is made, the events will roll by themselves, just rolling over those who tried not to notice and ignore them" (Igor Strelkov, 25 May 2018, on social media).<br />
: + [https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2018/05/25/americas-fifth-column-will-destroy-russia/ Paul Craig Roberts], 25 May, 2018: a match. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 03:10, 26 May 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Kuril Islands===<br />
Strelkov has been doing single man picketing in Moscow, opposite to FM building, with a banner which said: "return of South Kuril islands is a state treason" (Сдача Южных Курил -Госизмена!). Picketing now ended. By law, others were not allowed to come close, for not to break single picketing regulations, but there was a support group at allowed distance. Support group documented the picketing, in particular. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:48, 25 December 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Strelkov and allies calls for a protest meeting on 19/20 January, prior to PM of Japan visit. Chubais and Navalnyi, on the opposite side of the political spectrum, [https://regnum.ru/news/polit/2548869.html express opposition] too. News reports quoting Japanese officials create an impression that an agreement on southern Kuril islands , based on 1956 memorandum, is in final stages. However, as Strelkov pointed out, 1956 memorandum was aimed to result in demilitarized Japan outside of US influence and bases; that expectation subsequently failed, and clearly not in place today. It is believed that the agreement is largely driven by Putin who had such plans from 2001. Japan initial negotiating position was the return of all Kuril islands. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:48, 9 January 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Committee of 25 of January===<br />
*[http://m-kalashnikov.livejournal.com/2569427.html 'Committee of 25 of January' is created]. Strelkov, El Murid, E.Prosvirnin ("Satellite and pogrom" -(wth?)) K.Krylov, A.Kungurov, Eduard Limonov, M.Kalashnikov, and others. Positions itself as a third force to save the country, when the crash occurs. Warns about danger of a big two-front war.<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:28, 12 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Criminal Cases against activists and bloggers===<br />
*[http://narodtv.com/blogs/1 Aleksey Kungurov], charged under Russian criminal code article 205.2-1, 'supporting terrorism' , after blog posts vigorously criticizing Russian involvement in Syria. Some "experts" used by the court concluded that blog posts are supportive of IS, which is banned in Russia, so, by that logic, anything about it outside the official line may be called supporting terrorism. The blog posts were strongly critical, but not supporting terrorism, in the common sense of what 'supporting' will look like. Do not know much about Kungurov apart from him being a 'Committee of 25 of January' member; a blogger/activist from Tyumen. <br />
<br />
*[http://m-kalashnikov.livejournal.com/2908298.html 'Mukhin group'] , Alexandr Sokolov, Vladimir Parfenov, Yurii Mukhin. The first two are in preliminary detention; Mukhin is [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYQOc16yEzg possibly released] under house arrest. From what is known, this is a group of activists trying to have a referendum on a law 'On responsibility of highest authorities'. This group was called extremist, and charged under article 282.2 of the criminal code. Yurii Mukhin appears to have some background of engineering or industrial sort, then turning to journalism. His former public statements (around 2011-2014) were not crazy and had some logical basis, but were controversial. Truing to look up info, I found him [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3vfILuajfU discussing NASA moon landing] (not unreasonable criticism of photo visuals, but also making a further step and concluding that this was definitely fake. That would be going too far for my taste; but not a criminal offense, I gather. On another video, he was doing [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkU39HlPtco 9/11 presentation], in a similar mode: after raising not unreasonable questions, going for a definite conclusion that it was staged). That would be among the strangest cases if the Western human rights orgs will pick up on this; do not know that they did, but possibly. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:43, 29 December 2016 (UTC)<br />
*Kirill Barabash is also in the referendum activist group, but his case may be different. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jkS_xIpRPI Here] is his attorney presenting his case, in Russian.<br />
--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:06, 29 December 2016 (UTC)<br />
*[https://lenta.ru/articles/2017/08/10/sokol/ Активный гражданин За что осудили журналиста РБК Александра Соколова] -lenta.ru, 10 Aug. 2017 <br />
*:Sentenced for extremism. <br />
*:lenta: '' "В диссертации журналиста РБК говорится об огромном перерасходе бюджетных средств при подготовке к Олимпиаде в Сочи, об использовании офшорных схем в «Роснано» и так далее. «Работа получила большой резонанс. На нее Немцов ссылался и другие», — отметил Соколов" '' <br />
*:Boldyrev [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id3xNSCqzwc&t=9m41s interview], 29 Dec. 2017 (a similar statement, Sokolov is on the CP & nats-patriotic forces [https://pdsnpsr.ru/news/novosti-pds-npsr/informacionnoe-soobshhenie_16112017 team list])<br />
--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 04:58, 30 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Reaction to new weapons announcements, Feb. 2018=== <br />
Both pro-Western and patriotic opposition reaction to weapons announcements in Putin's address was negative. It is feared that it will have the opposite to the desired effect. Desired effect is causing serious negotiations resolving vital Russian concerns and arms control matters. Effect feared is further discord (isolation, sanctions, other cold war elements), and triggering expensive arms race, with little economic or political benefit. While supporters say that unreasonable Western policies is what brought things to the present sore state of affairs, with softer methods tried by Russia but not working and ignored, forcing the hand here. (Also, obviously, this is a speech shortly before the elections and attempting to portray things in a strong positive manner, aimed at broad domestic consumption). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:40, 4 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Para-military NGO===<br />
*[https://dailystorm.ru/obschestvo/fsb-nachala-zaderzhivat-uchastnikov-chvk-e-n-o-t ФСБ начала задерживать участников ЧВК E.N.O.T.] -FSB began to detain members of the PMC E.N.O.T. (енот (enot)= racoon)- ''Daily Storm'', November 9, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:23, 12 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Sanctions==<br />
...seems to be no end in sight... <br />
:[http://ria.ru/world/20160201/1368508811.html US adds 5 people to Magnitskii list], -investigators linked to his case, Feb 1, 2016. <br />
::[http://bigstory.ap.org/article/00a2f5f0badc4223aac5102695e3c8bc/russia-bars-5-americans-entry-tit-tat-response Russia bars 5 Americans from entry in tit-for-tat response]<br />
<br />
June 16, 2016. Sarkozy, at a press conference at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, calls for lifting of sanctions, changing negative dynamics, -as well as common space founded by European Union, Russia, and Turkey (TV Rain; [http://tass.ru/en/world/882190 TASS]; [https://www.rt.com/news/346879-putin-sarkozy-economic-forum-spief/ RT]). Presumably, Russia is to make the first step and hope for the best according to his follow-up answers.<br />
<br />
June 18, 2016. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Ivanov Sergei Ivanov] (Chief of the Presidential Administration of Russia) [http://ria.ru/economy/20160618/1449128306.html prefers] for sanctions to lasts long as possible since '2/3 of budget income, not oil and gas but other sectors such as chemical industry, experience rapid growth, up to 30-35 % per year', as a result. Article continues to say that counter-sanctions are to be lifted at once if the Western sanctions are lifted.<br />
<br />
[http://prod-upp-image-read.ft.com/40911a30-057c-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5 CAATSA list of senior political leaders and oligarchs] (unclassified part), US Department of the Treasury, 29 January 2018<br />
*Includes top political leadership and (some?) oligarchs worth over 1 bln USD (compare with Russians on [https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/list/3/#version:static_search:Russia Forbes list])<br />
*Asterisk marks those already sanctioned<br />
*[https://echo.msk.ru/programs/razvorot-morning/2138640-echo/ Venedictov] of Echo Mosckvy believes that the unpublished secret part includes names nominated for sanctions (unclear why he thinks so)<br />
*No journalism bigwigs on the list (unlike European sanctions which [https://europeansanctions.com/2017/06/19/eu-court-rejects-free-speech-challenge-by-kiselev-to-russia-designation/ include] e.g. Kiselev)<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:23, 30 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.ft.com/content/5ab46b72-05e2-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5 US Treasury secretary Mnuchin signals new sanctions on Russia] -''Financial Times'', 30 January, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:06, 30 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
:''In a hearing before the Senate banking committee, Mr Mnuchin said it was only a matter of time before the US imposed new sanctions on Russia, indicating that a classified annex to the report could serve as a road map for those new measures.<br />
<br />
Latest US sanctions are a major hit on Deripaska business empire (aluminum (Rusal), auto business), and on Vekselberg too. US investors are told to sell their holdings, + implications for exports to the West, with damages in billions USD. Rusal shares are 50 % [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DaU2qJxX0AAay_k.jpg:large down] on the next business day, Moscow [http://stocks.investfunds.ru/indicators/view/216/ exchange index] is 10 % down. Like them or not, those are major oligarchs controlling quite notable chunk of the overall economy, and affecting lots of small people (like taking out several major systemic Western corporations, for comparison). After announcement, there was immediate talk on serious response (but economic options are limited , in a considerably smaller and less diversified economy). Response talk is presently overtaken by the chemical and T4 attack in Syria and its possible implications of those.<br />
Oligarchs losses, as of today, [http://tass.ru/ekonomika/5108309 estimated] at some 12 bln USD, Yandex, 10.7 % down at NASDAQ. top of the list [https://infogram.com/_/HOPb0vYmal9gV3BOAX3w here] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:27, 9 April 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://reuters.com/article/uk-usa-russia-sanctions-renova/u-s-sanctions-on-vekselberg-have-1-5-2-billion-assets-frozen-sources-idUKKBN1HS0FD U.S. sanctions on Vekselberg have $1.5-$2 billion assets frozen: sources] -''Reuters, 21 April, 2018<br />
:''Assets totaling between $1.5 billion and $2 billion have been frozen as a result of sanctions imposed on Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg and his Renova Group conglomerate, two sources close to the matter told Reuters<br />
<br />
Russian draft response to sanctions law [http://tass.ru/ekonomika/5146405 calls] to allow parallel imports, which means that imports may be not tightly linked with US trade mark owners; details are vague, and discuss some below market payments to trademark owners. That may affect eg pharmaceutical products (sold cheaper than US brands, and similar approach to other products). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:38, 21 April 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.crunchbase.com/person/viktor-vekselberg#section-overview Vekselberg] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Vekselberg Wikipedia])<br />
*[http://cyprusbusinessmail.com/?p=64457 Vekselberg BOC stake subject of intra-bank transaction (Corrected)] -''Cyprus business mail'', 30 may, 2018<br />
*[https://www.watson.ch/wirtschaft/schweiz/405622282-gesperrte-konten-jetzt-will-oligarch-viktor-vekselberg-schweizer-banken-verklagen Locked accounts - now oligarch Viktor Vekselberg wants to sue Swiss banks] -''Watson'', 26 May, 2018 <br />
*:Two billion francs of private assets of the Russian billionaire are blocked in Switzerland. Now he wants to take legal action. <br />
*[http://www.forbes.ru/milliardery/362491-v-shveycarii-zablokirovali-1-mlrd-frankov-viktora-vekselberga Forbes.ru], 4 June, 2018<br />
*:Forbes source in 'Renova': around 1 bln Swiss franks 'are at stake'.<br />
<br />
--[[User:Resup|Resup]]([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 02:36, 5 June 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Elections==<br />
===Duma Elections, 2016===<br />
[[File:United_Russia_congress.jpg|thumb|Ruling "United Russia" pre-election congress is opened by its chairman, Dmitry Medvedev, [http://tass.ru/politika/2430548 TASS], 5 Feb. 2016]]<br />
<br />
*"United Russia" pre-election congress is opened by its chairman, Dmitry Medvedev- [http://tass.ru/politika/2430548 TASS], 5 Feb. 2016.<br />
<br />
At present, 10 parties have their registration to stand in elections officially [https://rg.ru/2016/08/03/do-vyborov-v-gosdumu-dopushcheno-uzhe-10-partij.html approved]. According to the latest opinion poll, the ruling party "United Russia" is leading, with 57% of committed voters /39 % of all voters. PARNAS (of late Nemtsov) is approved to stand in elections; however based on latest poll [http://www.levada.ru/2016/08/02/predstoyashhie-vybory-v-gosdumu/ results] , only 1.3 % are "definitely" [https://parnasparty.ru/news/279 voting] for their candidates, while another 5.7 are "possibly" voting. A party gets seats if it receives more than 5% of the vote.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:19, 5 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
19 Sept., 2016. [https://yandex.ru/search/?text=%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B5%20%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B7%D1%83%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8B%20%D0%B2%D1%8B%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%20%D0%B2%20%D0%93%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%B4%D1%83%D0%BC%D1%83%20%D0%A0%D0%A4%202016&lr=104981 Preliminary results, 99% counted]<br />
:Ruling United Russia received 54% of vote, and 76% of Duma seats, vastly dominating in single-mandate districts. 4 mainstream parties are above 5% threshold on party lists districts; no opposition party is over this threshold, moreover even the best among them are below 3% required to qualify for federal funding. All opposition altogether will have only 2 seats, gained in single-mandate districts. (One more self-nominating candidate is said to be of United Russia). PARNAS is getting 0.7 % of the vote. 47.8% of eligible voters actually voted. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 17:21, 19 September 2016 (UTC)<br />
:...and Kadyrov is getting 98% of the vote in Chechnya. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 17:21, 19 September 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Presidential Elections, 2018===<br />
Election day, March 18, 2018. <br />
<br />
[https://ria.ru/election2018/20180318/1516684346.html According] to both exit polls and [http://tass.ru/politika/5043019 preliminary results] (with 45% counted) Putin is winning the presidency after the first round of voting, gaining 74.7% of the vote. Grudinin is a distant second, with 13.7 % of the vote, below his backer CPRF result in the previous elections. Sobchak is doing better than expected with over 1.4%. Baburin (endorsed by Strelkov some weeks ago), 0.6%. <br />
<br />
Polls: [https://wciom.ru/news/ratings/vybory_2018/ VTSIOM ](official); [https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3938847.html Cassad](unofficial). [http://www.levada.ru/ Levada] center not publishing results due to 'foreign agent' status. Grudinin (presumed second runner) needs to make it to the second tour ([https://ria.ru/spravka/20111125/497575502.html ie] Putin below 50 % of those who cast the vote in the first round) to have a chance. There is no low participation threshold for elections to be valid. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:16, 18 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*'''Putin is running for President''' -[http://tass.ru/politika/4789730 TASS] (after hinting [http://tass.ru/politika/4789128 earlier])--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:51, 6 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxaRRbbHnbc Medvedev]: [https://ria.ru/politics/20171130/1509922217.html not me] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:15, 30 November 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:Earlier: <br />
:*Peskov: Putin has not decided yet whether he will run for President in 2018- [http://tass.ru/politika/2624313 TASS]. Too early for such a decision.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:38, 29 January 2016 (UTC)<br />
:*According to Peskov, it is yet undecided whether Putin or somebody else (e.g. Medvedev) will run, as it is too early to tell--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:31, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[[Russian_non-system_opposition#Alexey_Navalnyi|<s>Navalnyi</s>]] effectively [http://www.newsweek.com/russia-bans-putin-critic-navalny-election-president-593687 banned] from running. Election committee chairman [http://tass.ru/politika/4337084 Ella Pamfilova]: by law, because of his criminal conviction he cannot be registered (unless there is some miracle and he manages to appeal the court decision). Navalnyi himself still behaves as a contender, issues a program, has internet media appearances, etc; [https://navalny.com/p/5552/ claims] that European human rights court decision was not fulfilled and so his reinstated conviction is not legal. --Still, the state of play is as Pamfilova says. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:02, 15 December 2017 (UTC) <br />
*:Navalnyi and Panfilova seen in a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6Z6fSEErDk live video feed] of election committee considering whether to register him as a candidate. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:05, 25 December 2017 (UTC) His registration was denied by election committee, the debate/questions and answers, and committee voting is on video. <small>(Time shown on a clock above the committee was consistent with the feed being live . At the same time, I saw some sources reporting that his registration was denied already. That may have to do with resolution to deny was introduced, but it was then discussed and voted on, as seen on video).</small> --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:44, 25 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
* '''Unified candidate of the communists and 'patriotic opposition' '''.<br />
**23 Dec. 2017. Pavel Grudinin became the nominee, with Zyuganov his election HQ chief. Here is press conference [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SRCSSX37Ag video], with Boldyrev, Zyuganov, Grudinin. Boldyrev talk at the plenum [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1i3VrPtvc8&t=3h01m27s here], about common platform of diverse forces. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 08:18, 25 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
**Left forces candidate, Pavel Grudinin, is a fairy-tale-success agricultural director of ex-Soviet sovkhoz named after Lenin. His sovkhoz is profitable and he uses moneys to build high rise housing for workers, kindergarten, playground popular Moscow-region wide, a futuristic high school built using models from Finland, UK, and their own; visited by gov official, who ordered the school planing to be copied midway through his visit. Videos [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGn4NvgoeDk 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tt0ZkWeLq8 2]. Communist leader Zyuganov apparently supported Grudinin as a joint candidate of left, patriotic, and communist forces, but their is no decision yet, decision will be taken at CP plenum on Saturday, 23 December. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:07, 22 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
**May, 2017. Gennady Zyuganov, long time communist leader, <s> [http://www.mk.ru/politics/2017/05/04/zyuganov-ne-isklyuchil-chto-budet-ballotirovatsya-v-prezidenty-rossii.html may run again]. Announcement is significant since </s> Yuri Boldyrev was [http://yuriboldyrev.ru/news/video0316/ hoping] to have a unified candidate --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:17, 5 May 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[http://www.mk.ru/politics/2017/05/04/zhirinovskiy-putin-mozhet-ne-poyti-na-prezidentskie-vybory2018.html Zhirinovskii] will run for the 6th time, offers a sly inside that Putin may not run and name a successor -'being decided by 10 people but no decision yet'.<br />
:Entertainer-in-chief has lots of prime TV time courtesy of Vladimir Soloviev et al; here losing a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMRx9Ur10WI TV debate battle] to a geophysicist-turned-to-drama-theater politologist Sergey [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8F%D0%BD,_%D0%A1%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B5%D0%B9_%D0%95%D1%80%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87 Kurginian] ( = Nationalsozialismus vs drama-enhanced soft power).<br />
<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:16, 5 May 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
*Ksenia Sobchak announces plans to run for president, and positions herself as 'a candidate against all' ('against all'- an option on old election ballots, subsequently removed) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=he68RC4f24k video], October 18, 2017<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yw5tn5RAJc Comments by]: Vladimir Putin (politically correct), Vladimir Zhirinovsky (negative), Alexey Navalnyi (strongly negative, both for political disagreement --she is said to advocate paid education and health care, raising retirement age, and, maybe his main real reason, --for being the 'elections spoiler') ; + a businessman Evgenii Chichvarkin ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=OrFdl8oV73s politically incorrect]) . --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:26, 20 October 2017 (UTC)<br />
:Off to a bad start, all but eliminating chances (if there were any to begin with). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdNcfW4BCiA Answering on Crimea], question, "according to international law, Crimea is Ukrainian. Anything else, let's discuss it'. The answer was heavily criticized, contrasted with Anatoly Sobchak much sober and nuanced [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heXNOGW5IH4 answer]. She keeps behaving as in show-biz, throwing out controversial assertions, like more NATO and sanctions please, without any reverence to her supposed subjects standing on this, which may be at some 80% against; just running with her different views, she does not even attempt to convince others to change theirs,-- an affront but not a leadership. That may raise her show-womanship ratings but is not something you do to get elected. At the same time, lots of her earlier, Paris Hilton-style naughty video episodes became abundant--not something likely to be viewed positively for a real presidential candidate in Russia. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 03:51, 26 October 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Ksenia Sobchak walks in Grozny, Chechnya. Some local men are telling her that they are not happy to see her coming ('coffee is not good for horses' comment made, etc)- ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCKvoLuJPOU video]). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:44, 29 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[https://2018.yavlinsky.ru/sign/ Yavlinsky] (Yabloko) is running, as usual. Pro-Western type, and in practice centered around Yavlinsky in person (whose last name is rooted in ''appearance'', like in Appearance of the Christ to the People). Attempts of other pro-Western liberal parties to have a coalition with Yabloko so far all failed, as Yavlinsky wants to run for president all by himself, so far getting somewhere in the few percents of the vote scale, just marginally better than his potential pro-Western allies--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:25, 15 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*'National Patriotic forces of Russia' jointly with 'People's Leaders' (Strelkov among those) [http://pdsnpsr.ru/news/novosti-pds-npsr/informacionnoe-soobshhenie_16112017 announced] 5 candidates, and expressed some hope of having a joint candidate with communists ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Kvachkov Kvachkov] among the 5 is a mistake, as some of them themselves admit). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:44, 17 November 2017 (UTC)<br />
*:(Grudinin, above): Not in opposition enough for Strelkov, who suspended his membership in People's Leaders till full clarification of Grudinin & co standing, complaining that Boldyrev and Grudinin talks at the CP plenum were not discussed with him and that he does not share stated positions. Believes that his decision would not be too much of a loss to the People's Leaders. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:13, 25 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Regional===<br />
====Chechnya Elections====<br />
Kadyrov term is [http://chechnya.gov.ru/page.php?r=126&id=17542 set to expire] in April, 2016. New elections will be held on the [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%95%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9_%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%8C_%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8F_18_%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82%D1%8F%D0%B1%D1%80%D1%8F_2016_%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B0 national election day], 18 Sept. 2016. In the meantime, it is believed that Kadyrov will be appointed acting head, but that was called too early to discuss by Peskov. Kadyrov stated that future Chechnya leadership is up to the President of Russia to decide first. <br />
:It is said in the news that the leader of Chechnya will be again called Chechnya president, back from the current head of Chechnya; head of Chechnya is the term used in the current constitution of 2003.<br />
<br />
Mixed message from Kadyrov so far, [http://rusnovosti.ru/posts/409863 ready to serve] if ordered to do so, but time may be up and [http://ria.ru/politics/20160227/1381183464.html another person needed], saying that 'my time has passed. There are so many successors in the team, there are very good specialists'. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:46, 27 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Putin appointed Kadyrov acting head of Chechnya, till elections in September 2016, expressing hope that Kadyrov will participate in those elections and that voters in Checnya will appreciate what he has done for the Checnya republic -[http://tass.ru/politika/3121489 TASS]--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:16, 25 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
:[http://echo.msk.ru/news/1736170-echo.html Echo Moskvy] copies, not providing an immediate comment ...<br />
<br />
====Tula region====<br />
[https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%94%D1%8E%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BD,_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B9_%D0%93%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B4%D1%8C%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87 Alexey Diumin] (Hero of Russia, leutenant-general, said to organize Yanukovich extraction and Crimea operation-[http://fakty.ua/212351-byvshij-oficer-gru-aleksej-dyumin-otricaet-svoe-uchastie-v-organizacii-pobega-v-rossiyu-viktora-yanukovicha which he denies]) was appointed acting governor of Tula region. Some [http://mirnov.ru/rubriki-novostey/politika/aleksei-dyumin-novyi-preemnik-putina.html speculated] that he may be groomed for a future leadership role ([http://www.svoboda.org/content/transcript/27532460.html also rfe/rl]).<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:31, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Local Elections===<br />
*Early election in a small, elitist village of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barvikha Barvikha], in Moscow region, was cancelled after a protest by Alexey Navalnyi anti-corruption foundation candidates. They complained ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvbVC1cLusI video] ) that there was an unusually high volume of outsiders casting early vote, about 1/4 of total expected number of voters a few days prior to the voting itself (just 189 such early votes were cast, but the number of voters is small as well). It was said that absentees votes were cast by migrants, multiply registered at the same addresses shortly before the vote. New Russia's elections committee head [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ella_Pamfilova Ella Pamfilova], formerly Russia's Commissioner for Human Rights, was sharply criticized by Navalnyi and opposition for her handling of election complaints; but eventually she sided with the opposition in cancelling early election. New election will be scheduled in about half a year time.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:47, 20 April 2016 (UTC)<br />
*Alexey Navalnyi, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjmLR5TzLDA 'why the hell we need such elections?'] - ''youtube'', 19 July, 2017 (with English subs, multimedia-enhanced). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:01, 20 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Sci-Tech ==<br />
(Occasional rare entries only)<br />
<br />
Proton launch, Mars mission, Russia -EU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdRlu-PYNJA live] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqJ9d-YMNVo recording] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:02, 14 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Soiuz 2.1a rocket [http://tass.ru/kosmos/3240883 launched] satellites from a new space launch site "Vostochnyi" , just build recently despite difficult economic conditions, and located in Russia, as opposed to Baikonur, located in Kazakhstan. (Launch was delayed by a day; Putin stayed) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:03, 28 April 2016 (UTC)<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucDPhvnfbbI Video 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilQ7Ui4vljM video 2.]<br />
<br />
==In the news ==<br />
Lesin: <br />
:(1) [http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/10/mikhail-lesin-blunt-force-trauma-death-washington-dc-vladimir-putin died of blunt blow to the head] :(2) according to a friend had previous serious spine injury and many follow-up surgeries as a result; and is said to have a drinking bout on the eve of his death- [http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2935611 Kommersant.ru] <br />
:(3) also, according to [http://lenta.ru/news/2016/03/12/lesinpassport/ lenta.ru] and Navalnyi, border control records appear to show that somebody used Lesin passport to leave USA 40 days after his reported death (as there is departure entry on December 15, 2015, while the death occurred on November 5, 2015).<br />
::However, it was [http://www.newsru.com/world/13mar2016/lessin.html explained] that the departure record was made by the authorities to close non-immigrant visa (said to be a standard practice), and does not mean physical departure<br />
: --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:31, 12 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
30.3.2016 IS claimed [http://ria.ru/incidents/20160330/1399776987.html responsibility] for IED explosion in Dagestan, Russia. Two Russian MOI trucks were hit, one policeman was killed, two were wounded.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:44, 30 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
===FlyDubai crash.=== <br />
[[Talk:FlyDubai_Crash|moved]]<br />
<br />
===Media===<br />
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37677020 Russia Today: NatWest 'freezes bank accounts' in UK]-BBC, October 17, 2016<br />
:''Margarita Simonyan tweeted: "They've closed our accounts in Britain. All our accounts. 'The decision is not subject to review.' Praise be to freedom of speech!"<br />
*[https://www.rt.com/news/363013-rt-uk-accounts-blocked/ RT bank accounts blocked in UK – editor-in-chief]-RT, October 17, 2016<br />
:''Our accounts in Britain have been blocked. All of them. ‘Decision not to be discussed’. Hail to freedom of speech!” RT's editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan said on her Twitter account.<br />
<br />
:What? Mutiny on that ship? OK, they will close their bank account in that one particular bank group (they posted it) in 2 months from now, and return the money by check if alternative banking is not found. So good for them, means they got some money, and are not about to loose them as a result of whatever is going on here. (What's 'freedom of speech'?)--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:52, 17 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Journalists===<br />
Vladimir Vladimirovich Pozner, of [http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/shows/pozner-donahue Donahue-Pozner] fame, has a largely independent 1-on-1 talk [http://pozneronline.ru/ show] on the main TV Channel 1. <br />
*Here on 24 March 2010 he interviews Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, during her visit to Moscow to see Pres. Medvedev. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8PZTd1Nsms Part 2 of 5 video] starts with her answering viewer question on comparing media in USA and Russia. <br />
*(2015) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j6MH42ebr0 Interviews] mainstream conservative (aka 'reactionary') Russian MP [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irina_Yarovaya Irina Yarovaya], a prosecutor by background, and an author of several controversial laws seen as limiting civil liberties and public discourse ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarovaya_Law wiki]). In the interview, she goes on offensive, denies information of Pozner sources and denies and clarifies wiki account of her election history (she was in the top 3 on United Russia party list in Kamchatka, but only her out of those 3 ended up becoming MP; the top of the list was the governor of Kamchatka). They go on to discuss defamation law, with Yarovaya attacking Pozner for statements made in his book (and outside of Pozner line of questioning), essentially claiming that those are russophobic. Pozner points out that Yarovaya in one of her statements blamed political opponents for being akin to terrorists and funded from the same source; Yarovaya counters that her statements is an opinion, not defamation, while those of Pozner are disrespectful of Russia and Russian Christianity (implying that those are unacceptable). Interviews turns nasty at this point, with Yarovaya raising the issue of Pozner having foreign citizenships, and not an ethnic Russian (Pozner is Jewish). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:33, 7 January 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Terrorist attack, St. Petersburg, Apr.4, 2017 ===<br />
*Breaking, and footage from the scene ([http://rusvesna.su/news/1491222417 Rusvesna])([http://www.interfax.ru/photo/3267/34534 Interfax-more photos])([http://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3335784.html Cassad-photos]).<br />
*11 killed, 45 wounded ([http://tass.ru/proisshestviya/4149946 TASS]).<br />
*Second attack is said to fail or was prevented ([http://www.interfax.ru/russia/556676 media reports])(said to be disarmed IED [https://pp.userapi.com/c639921/v639921439/11d1b/9kCU4MbbJf8.jpg photo])<br />
*[http://www.interfax.ru/russia/556701 Interfax]: Islamist suicide bomber from a Middle Asian republic is a suspect. Another bearded man whose photo appeared in the media turned up at a police station to claim his innocence. <br />
*It is [http://rusvesna.su/news/1491255058 said] that services had information on IS-linked attack being prepared, but information was incomplete.<br />
*Rumors on social media on Ukrainian connection: [http://rusvesna.su/news/1491247505 likely fake]. <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:24, 3 April 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Rosoboronexport delegation chief robbed in France===<br />
But his woman bodyguard single-handedly gets his bag back from 50 assailants. Or is it other way around? But eventually they got the bag; police showed up and saved them, or maybe the attackers from them as Russian users think. 4 attackers were arrested.<br />
*[http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2017/06/21/97001-20170621FILWWW00384-seine-saint-denis-un-officiel-russe-agresse.php Seine-Saint-Denis: un officiel russe agressé] - Le Figaro.fr avec AFP , 21 June, 2017<br />
*[http://www.lepoint.fr/faits-divers/saint-denis-des-russes-poursuivent-leurs-voleurs-presumes-jusque-dans-leur-cite-21-06-2017-2137173_2627.php#section-commentaires Saint-Denis : une garde du corps russe tient tête à 50 jeunes de cité] - Le Point.fr, 21 June, 2017<br />
*[http://rusvesna.su/news/1498138216 Двое против пятидесяти: французов шокировала погоня русских за напавшими на главу «Рособоронэкспорта»] -Rusvesna, 22 June, 2017<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:33, 22 June 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Skripal' ? ===<br />
Early entries here, for updates see [[Poisoning_of_Sergei_Skripal|Poisoning of Sergei _Skripal]] and [[Talk:Poisoning_of_Sergei_Skripal|talk]]<br />
<br />
*[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/05/alleged-former-russian-spy-critically-exposure-unknown-substance/ Russian spy fighting for life after being 'poisoned' by unknown substance in Salisbury ] -''Telegraph'', March 5, 2018<br />
*: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fentanyl Fentanyl] ?<br />
*[http://www.interfax.ru/russia/602574 Луговой прокомментировал сообщения об отравлении Скрипаля в Великобритании] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrey_Lugovoy Lugovoy] commented on reports about the poisoning of Scripal in the UK)-''Interfax'', March 6, 2018<br />
--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:00, 6 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
If it's Fentanyl, it's a strong synthetic opioid anesthetic, and can be in both recreational and medical use. Anybody could do it (e.g. Ukrainian nationalists or whoever else). But a case it is 'Putin' is [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43303651 immediately made], along the lines Livinenko+Fentanyl use by Russian security during [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_theater_hostage_crisis Dubrovka siege] in Moscow + his own words expressing fear, and since this is an anesthetic he can also wake up and, maybe, make another accusation (or maybe not). It is [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43303651 said] that scientists at Porton Down are studying the "unknown substance"; fine. It is not clear what's going on, but IMO it is unlikely that Russian services will do it on the eve of elections + everything else going on lately against a person of no present danger and keeping a low profile, it is more likely somebody is trying to play out known past events for own benefit here. But we will see, not much to go by so far --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 20:30, 6 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
: Russian spy poisoned by fentanyl? A few hours later fear of fentanyl used to [https://www.coindesk.com/crypto-exchange-creating-wallet-blacklist-to-fight-fentanyl-crisis/ attack cryptocurrencies.] A coincidence? -- [[User:Petri Krohn|Petri Krohn]] ([[User talk:Petri Krohn|talk]]) 22:42, 6 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43323847 'Nerve agent 'used to try to kill' ex-spy'] -''BBC'', March 7, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 17:43, 7 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43402506 Russian spy: UK to expel 23 Russian diplomats]-''BBC'', March 14, 2018<br />
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43440992 Spy poisoning: Russia to expel 23 British diplomats]-''BBC'', March 17, 2018<br />
*[http://tass.ru/politika/5039395 TASS]: British consulate in St. Petersbourg to be closed, activity of the [https://www.britishcouncil.ru/ British council] in Russia will be stopped.<br />
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99imLk-8TLU Russia: British ambassador summoned to Moscow's Foreign Ministry] (video, ambassador statement to the press), March 17, 2018 <br />
: --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 08:36, 17 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Nikolai Glushkov ===<br />
[https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/13/russian-exile-nikolai-glushkov-found-dead-at-his-london-home Russian exile Nikolai Glushkov found dead at his London home] -''Guardian'', March 13, 2018<br />
:''A Russian exile who was close friends with the late oligarch Boris Berezovsky has been found dead in his London home, according to friends. Nikolai Glushkov was discovered by his family and friends late on Monday night, aged 68. The cause of death is not yet clear. One of his friends, the newspaper editor Damian Kudryavtsev, posted the news on his Facebook page.'' --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:40, 13 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[https://www.obozrevatel.com/abroad/umer-kak-boris-chto-izvestno-o-zagadochnoj-smerti-druga-berezovskogo.htm "Умер, как Борис": что известно о загадочной смерти друга Березовского] (Died like Boris: what is known about mysterious death of the friend of Berezovsky), with old photos, ''Obozrevatel'', March 14, 2018<br />
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43433552 Murder inquiry over Russian's London death] -''BBC'', March 16, 2018<br />
*:''UK police have launched a murder investigation after the death of Russian businessman Nikolai Glushkov in south-west London. A post mortem revealed Mr Glushkov, whose family has been informed, died from "compression to the neck".<br />
*:''Meanwhile, Russia's investigative committee has said it has opened a criminal case investigation into "the murder" of Mr Glushkov and the "attempted murder" of Yulia Skripal.<br />
**Linked by BBC, a Steelesquish opus [https://www.buzzfeed.com/heidiblake/from-russia-with-blood-14-suspected-hits-on-british-soil 'From Russia With Blood'] -''BuzzFeed'', June 15, 2017<br />
*:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]])17:18, 16 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
=== Sukhoi SuperJet crash ===<br />
*Bouncing off landing strip, catching fire on the next contact -[https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=DKtznRnQWXA video], youtube, May 5, 2019<br />
*End of landing, evacuation, firefighters arrival (1.5-2 min) [https://echo.msk.ru/blog/echomsk/2420589-echo/ Echo Moskvy], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfHg0O3tHhc video].<br />
*[https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/4967936.html Captain Denis Evdokimov descries events], apparently lightning strike followed by electronics problems (controls and communications). Cassad, May 5, 2019<br />
*Latest estimate is 41 dead<br />
*More related posts on Cassad, Echo Moskvy,etc<br />
--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:40, 5 May 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Legal==<br />
=== Magnitsky Act ===<br />
*[http://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-usa-rights-factbox-idUSBRE93B16420130412 "Factbox ]: Who's who on the U.S. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Magnitsky Magnitsky] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnitsky_Act#Individuals_affected list]" , Reuters, Apr 12, 2013. <br />
: 8 names out of 18 on the list explained; the last two are not related to Magnitsky case.<br />
*[http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/04/13/a-guide-to-the-russian-officials-on-the-u-s-magnitsky-list/ "A guide to the Russian officials] on the U.S. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnitsky_Act#Individuals_affected Magnitsky list]" , by Elias Groll, Foreign Policy, April 13, 2013 <br />
:At the bottom of the list, one "foot soldier" -"Interior Ministry operative who participated in the raid", and four "judges tasked with ruling on the Magnitsky case."<br />
<br />
*"[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Browder Bill Browder] [http://www.billbrowder.com/bio (bio)] Forces Cancellation of Film Critical of Him Minutes Before Screening in Brussels" , by [http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/empty-seat-william-browder-once-again-takes-charge-european-parliament/ri14127 Gilbert Doctorow, Russia Insider], 29 April 2016<br />
:No comment on the film before seen the film. Serious evidence is good enough in PDF or MS Word, does not have to be in video format. Andrei Nekrasov has talent, had important and emotionally powerful documentary footage in the past, on the side of opposition. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:09, 29 April 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Nekrasov is a blast... [https://www.bitchute.com/video/lQ3qEwX66pIL/ video]. As he was with Politkovskaya and Litvinenko footage... (I am not commenting on merits or demerits of volumes of stuff I have not seen...) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 02:02, 23 July 2018 (UTC)<br />
: Seen the film today as well (thanks PL). No wonder Browder did everything to keep it from public view. But this is now blowing up, with Putin mentioning it in Helsinki, btw a day after Nekrasov published [https://www.heise.de/tp/features/Bill-Browder-und-seine-Geschichte-vom-Tod-des-angeblichen-Whistleblowers-Magnitski-4108672.html a very detailed piece] about the content of the film and its suppression on a German website read by a lot of influential people. One of the funniest moments for me was the visit to Marieluise Beck ... she is such a tool. Unbelievable. Hopefully she will be asked about her reaction to the movie... --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 02:32, 23 July 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:: The ''telepolis'' article has now been [https://andreinekrasov.livejournal.com/6763.html translated into English]. --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 20:12, 21 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
: The link lasted longer than expected but now it's dead. Philip Giraldi and his spook friends are taking care that a working copy stays available embedded in his article [http://www.unz.com/pgiraldi/is-bill-browder-the-most-dangerous-man-in-the-world/ here] (See comment 110/111). --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 17:10, 28 July 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
: As the cat was out of the bag anyway, the authors have now [https://vimeo.com/ondemand/themagnitskyact released] the film for public viewing on vimeo on demand (not available in countries where TV stations have the transmission rights, i.e. Germany, Austria, France and Finland). Quote [https://twitter.com/TorsteinGrude/status/1027483681399681024 Come hell or high water]. Of course they fear that Browder is now coming after them, so this should get as much publicity as possible quickly. --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 17:13, 9 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
: It took almost a month, but then vimeo [https://www.facebook.com/PirayaFilm/posts/2078202778866059 caved in] to Browder's machinations and banned the film for "defamation". Today Nekrasov tweeted that it is now viewable on a dedicated website [http://www.magnitskyact.com/ www.magnitskyact.com]. Good move. Apparently with the same country restriction as before, though. --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 01:59, 22 September 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Someone led Browder in to the European Parliament where he was asked about Nekrasov's film and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjXziG-I74c this] was his response. --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 17:43, 30 January 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Corruption cases===<br />
*[http://tass.com/society/902502 Dmitri Zakharchenko], a high-ranking official from the anti-corruption department of Russia’s Ministry of Interior Affairs, was arrested in September, 2016 Large sum of money was found and confiscated, which some [http://tass.ru/proisshestviya/3620934 media sources (referred to by TASS)] put at 475 mln USD in total, It was discussed that this large amount possibly belong to several people ([https://www.google.com/search?q=obshak obshak], in Russian criminal lingo).--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:34, 15 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*15 Nov. 2016. One of highly visible and important ministers, minister of economic development of Russia Alexey Ulyukaev ([https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A3%D0%BB%D1%8E%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B5%D0%B2,_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B9_%D0%92%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87 wiki, Rus.] , [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexey_Ulyukaev wiki, Eng.]), was arrested for allegedly receiving a (staged by investigators) bribe of 2 mln $ from the oil company Rosneft (majority government owned, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Sechin Igor Sechin] is CEO). The payment is said to be for a positive evaluation of Rosneft acquisition of 50% share of another oil company [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashneft Bashneft']. <br />
**Ulyukaev denied charges. Ulyukaev has academic distinctions (doctor of economic sciences -awarded in Russia and France, professor. He started work in the government with Yegor Gaidar team in 1991, Yeltsin-Bill Clinton era, and so is viewed to be in the pro-Western globalists camp; while Sechin is in the conservative, 'siloviki' (security and military) camp. Uliukaev was involved ([https://sputniknews.com/europe/201512181031952746-ulyukaev-eu-ukraine-agreement/ Sputnik]; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine%E2%80%93European_Union_Association_Agreement#Implementation_schedule wiki]) in negotiations on economic issues related to economic consequences of Ukraine association agreement with EU and Russian objections raised. <br />
**Insiders [http://www.newsru.com/russia/15nov2016/ulyukaev_55.html expressed] surprise and questioned the developments, e.g. Alexander Shokhin, president of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, pointed out that the acquisition of Bashneft was approved a month ago and it would be insane to demand money after that from one of the most powerful figures in Russia, Igor Sechin. Economist Alexey Kudrin [https://codessaver.com/all-stores/ stated] without going into details that there are many questions and an objective investigation is necessary. PM Dmitriy Medvedev [https://rg.ru/2016/11/15/dmitrij-medvedev-obsudil-s-vladimirom-putinym-zaderzhanie-uliukaeva.html called] for a careful investigation too. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:34, 15 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
*[http://tass.com/politics/912736 Russia’s Supreme Court overturns sentence against opposition activist (Alexei) Navalny], "the case will be reviewed by the Leninsky district court of Kirov due to the new circumstances". "The court's presidium initiated the checks into the case after the decision of the European Court of Human Rights, which said that Navalny’s rights to have a fair trial had been violated". If Navalny is cleared, he may run for Russian president office in 2018; Kremlin [http://tass.com/politics/912800 does not comment] on such possibility. <br />
:[https://navalny.com/p/5131/ Navalny on Ulykaev]: "He is 100% a crook but this is not why he was imprisoned" (says that his anti-corruption foundation uncovered suspicious details like off shore account and high reported income, but that reported details of Ulykaev arrest do not appear sensible). <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:16, 17 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Murder cases===<br />
(On one-off, non-systematic basis)<br />
<br />
*[https://echo.msk.ru/blog/echomsk/2257650-echo/ Dmitriy Zakharov]([https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Захаров,_Дмитрий_Вениаминович Wikipedia]): Berezovsky killed Vlad Listiev -''Echo Moskvy'', 12 Aug. 2018 <br />
*Alexey Venediktov: Berezovsky [https://echo.msk.ru/blog/aav/2257964-echo/ did not kill] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladislav_Listyev Vlad Listiev] -''Echo Moskvy'', 13 Aug. 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:32, 13 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Sports Section==<br />
Normally not commenting, but this is curious: 'Why Russia Makes the Olympics Better', [http://www.wsj.com/articles/why-russia-makes-the-olympics-better-1469220208 WSJ], July 22, 2016. My point here is that Olympics were supposed to prevent wars, not create them. It is very clear that a forceful reaction from Russia to Maidan came in the footsteps of Western leaders boycotting Sochi Olympics; if they would all cosy up there, maybe no overreaction and less tragic Maidan. Don't want to discuss all other aspects involved,-hopefully it's clear where I am getting.-- In Russia, calls to slam the door, remember mass sport (and Stalin), and so on --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:36, 23 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://ssl.gstatic.com/onebox/media/olympics/photos/o16/live/RIOEC861LVMSB_768x432.JPG Beslan Mudranov], from Kabardino-Balkaria, wins under-60 kg judo gold for Russia, in a match against an opponent from Kazakhstan-[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C3qzR2eyj4 video]. Awarded [http://judoinfo.com/referee.htm waza-ari] by the referee for a throw in [http://www.judo-ch.jp/english/ijf_judge/entyou/ Golden Score] time. Commentator shouts "Yuko!" , as the opponent appears to land a bit on the side, yet it's close to a clean throw, and Golden Score applies (it appears) in any case. Waza-ari that will be. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:55, 8 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
:Street celebrations in Kabardino-Balkaria. Congratulated by the [http://kremlin.ru/events/president/letters/52660 Kremlin].<br />
<br />
Aug. 9, 2016. Khasan Khalmurzaev from Ingushetia [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzCXdEG06wQ won] another Olympic judo gold with the highest score, Ippon, over Travis Stevens, USA in under 81 kg category.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:28, 9 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Wars during Olympics===<br />
*[http://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/2888401.html Georgia], August 2008.<br />
*Ukraine Maidan, January/February 2014<br />
*Donbass and Aleppo, August 2016<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:40, 9 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===2018 winter olympics===<br />
Russia is [http://rusvesna.su/news/1512499796 banned] and fined . Some announcement or comment by Putin is expected (various discussions in Russian media included boycott, critical comments on the process -of blaming the whole group without individual evidence sort, and criticism aiming to undermine character of the whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov). No systematic coverage planned, at least for now --No independent info or insight --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:43, 5 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[https://russian.rt.com/sport/news/456715-kadyrov-chechnya-oi2018 Kadyrov]: "No athlete with a Chechen residence will participate under a neutral flag. And those Chechen athletes, who by all criteria should be on the national team and go to the Olympics, we will honor them as winners! " --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:14, 5 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
*[https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3855037.html Олимпиада 2018. Позор или бойкот?] -''Cassad'', 5 Dec. 2017<br />
*:A choice between the bad and the worst, but going for the boycott; 90 % of around 300 responders so far for boycott too.<br />
<br />
Some (el-Murid; Sobchak) say, athletes first/fat cats last, go. What about home games as partial replacement? Not ideal of course (less competition, etc), but perhaps some advantages too, more local athletes taking part (more like mass sport), moneys spent inside, may still give prizes, with some adjustments perhaps. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:46, 6 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
Or leaving it undecided, for the committees to figure? It's all quite tricky, potentially interferes with elections --a point made already in the discourse. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:46, 6 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
According to [http://tass.ru/sport/4787725 TASS], by IOC rules a state cannot influence decision of athletes; Putin [http://tass.ru/sport/4789890 stated] that a boycott will not be announced and there will be no obstacles if some athletes will decide to participate in a private capacity (so consistent with the rules, as presented, and leaving it open for the athletes to decide). On 12 December there will be a meeting of athletes on the issue. What remains at stake, apparently, is level of support provided to those going in a 'private capacity', any legal challenges to the decision, commercial aspects like broadcasting. etc.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:28, 6 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://tass.ru/sport/4974829 'The Russian delegation rejects the conscious use of Meldonium by Krushelnytsky'] -''TASS'', February 20, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:51, 20 February 2018 (UTC)<br />
:Both A and B probes were positive. Probe on 22 January 2018 was negative. Spiked drink accusation was made by Krushelnytsky (after the A probe result were announced, but not the B probe results).<br />
<br />
Russia wins Olympic ice hockey gold thriller in overtime, after equalizing 50 seconds before the end of regulation time, and while Germany had power play advantage. Russian player was booked with 2 m 11 s of regulation remaining, giving power play to Germany, with Russia trailing 3:2. Russian coach switched goal-keeper for a field player; that is a rather desperate move which rarely works, but here Gusev managed to put the puck in from an unlikely angle and 50 seconds to go. All that ended with Russia's overtime win, congratulations from Putin, and the team +the fans trying to over-sing the loud Olympic hymn with the Russian anthem, and over-wave with fans' tricolors the white Olympic flag honoring 'Olympic Athletes from Russia' . --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:39, 25 February 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===UFC===<br />
Russian fighter from Dagestan Khabib 'the Eagle' Nurmagomedov defeated ([https://twitter.com/i/status/1048813424392785920 video]), ([https://yandex.ru/video/search?text=%D1%85%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B8%D0%B1&path=wizard&noreask=1&filmId=5797910733391064424 full video]) Irish fighter Conor McGregor. (Subsequently, jumped out of the cage to take on McGregor's sparring partner who he says had insulted him , [https://twitter.com/i/status/1048827372198354944 video]; apologized on the spot and on [https://www.instagram.com/p/Bon6Y-SngU7/?utm_source=ig_embed instagram]). Celebrations in Makhachkala ([http://obzor.io/2018/10/07/na-rodine-xabiba-prazdnuyut-pobedu-bojca-video-81080/ photo/video]). Khabib was [https://tass.ru/sport/5646517 congratulated] by Putin and [https://tass.ru/sport/5646413 Kadyrov] for his victory. Khabib started career in Ukraine-now some in Ukraine [http://rusvesna.su/news/1538908989 claim] 'ownership' . --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 17:16, 7 October 2018 (UTC)</div>Davidwilliamshttps://acloserlookonsyria.shoutwiki.com/w/index.php?title=Category_talk:Russia&diff=51494Category talk:Russia2019-06-14T06:26:31Z<p>Davidwilliams: /* Corruption cases */</p>
<hr />
<div>==Disclaimer==<br />
:"Умом Россию не понять,<br />
:Аршином общим не измерить:<br />
:У ней особенная стать —<br />
:В Россию можно только верить".<br />
<br />
::Ф. И. Тютчев.<br />
<br />
:You will not grasp her with your mind <br />
:Or cover with a common label, <br />
:For Russia is one of a kind – <br />
:Believe in her, if you are able...<br />
::(translated by Anatoly Liberman) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:44, 7 March 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
::::* * * <br />
<br />
:I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia.<br />
:It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma;<br />
:but perhaps there is a key.<br />
:That key is Russian national interest. <br />
<br />
::[http://www.churchill-society-london.org.uk/RusnEnig.html Winston Churchill]<br />
-- [[User:Petri Krohn|Petri Krohn]] ([[User talk:Petri Krohn|talk]]) 18:53, 7 March 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Short Stories===<br />
Film director Pavel Lungin (PL) recalls meeting dissident writer [http://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/26/world/andrei-sinyavsky-71-dies-writer-was-sent-to-gulag.html Andrei Siniavskii] , who was imprisoned in Gulag, than emigrated to France. Siniavskii, sitting in a bar in Paris, sipping some wine: now listen Pavel, -- the happiest time I ever had, it was in Gulag. <br />
:(PL) how come ???<br />
:(S) we were really happy there, everything was so pure, like no moneys, no women ... --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 04:56, 16 March 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===National Idea?===<br />
After the fall of socialism (which followed the fall of traditional society and tzarism), there was no replacement; and extreme Russian version of capitalism has not become a unifying idea. Lack of national idea was mentioned and discussed by members of Yeltsin government, but no serious suggestion was made. In that background, Putin explicitly offered patriotism as (a/the) 'national idea' (the national unifying "-ism") at a meeting with entrepreneurs from the so called 'Club of Leaders'. [http://tass.ru/politika/2636647 TASS], Feb. 3, 2016.<br />
:The previous, pre-socialist one was [http://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/dic_wingwords/2219/%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B5 "Православие, самодержавие, народность"], proposed by Uvarov during the reign of tzar Nicolai 1. This translates as "Orthodoxy (Russian Christian O.), autocracy (tzarism), nationalism" (народность here means being close to people and traditions).<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:02, 4 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
==Geopolitics==<br />
Marianna Belenkaya -TASS [http://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/1902253 attempts to explain] lifting of S-300 sales to Iran, and abstention vote on Yemen, from geopolitical perspective; "multi-vector" and "..openly against policies of Washington..." are key words used in the article. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:42, 19 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
26.11.15 Hollande to arrive to Moscow on Thursday after visiting Obama, presumably in an attempt to bring about a broad anti-IS coalition. Tuesday presser with Obama, however, suggests that the US does not see a need for a new coalition, and that while the existing one is open to Russia, she needs to change her behavior (dropping support for Assad, or making sure that he chooses not to run in the elections). Such line is clearly not going to work, as this would be politically suicidal. There is nowhere remotely near the level of pressure to bring about a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seppuku harakiri] of such sort (and it is impossible to have required levels). On the other hand, the Western coalition is not prepared to do the job itself, as airstrikes cannot possibly reverse vast territorial gains in a land with significant number of civilian inhabitants. Only President Putin and the Supreme Leader Khamenei have the actual presence on the ground. <br />
<br />
So apparently the real plan of the Empire is Chaos. Hollande may try, and succeed, to have an appearance of a broad coalition. There is good chemistry and strong cultural connection. But at this point, the players are too preoccupied with their own interests to really work together as one team for a common good. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:43, 26 November 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Lavrov says, in essence, that EU foreign policy is under US control (and that he would wish it to be otherwise) [http://ria.ru/world/20160313/1389139858.html RIA]. (Graphics show results of Sputnik/Populus poll, showing that respondents believed that ordinary people have no or little influence over their country foreign policy.) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:44, 13 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Ukraine and Syria===<br />
*Telephone call, Obama-Putin, Feb 14, 2016 [http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/51312 Kremlin read-out], [https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fkremlin.ru%2Fevents%2Fpresident%2Fnews%2F51312&edit-text=google translation]. Syria (support Munich decisions) and Ukraine (fulfill Minsk) were discussed. <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:03, 14 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*(Of all places), Steinmeier is to meet Kerry in Moscow, and hopes to have a meeting wiht Putin as well, according to [http://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/2869066 TASS]--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:15, 23 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[http://tass.ru/en/world/864988 Kerry interview to TASS (Eng)] (provides 'distorting mirrors' description on Ukraine, Poroshenko troops are fired on, etc). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:44, 25 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
:Kerry claimed that Kiev is doing things and passed laws on amnesty and special status. Well, Rada did pass [http://www.rada.gov.ua/news/Novyny/Povidomlennya/97812.html some amnesty law] (September 2014), but that law only covered period from 22 February 2014 to 16 September 2014. I am not aware that another amnesty law was passed after Minsk 2 was signed. Of course it is insufficient, in law and in practice (which as we know is bad). Passing another law is required in item 5 of [http://www.spiegel.de/media/media-35901.pdf Minsk-2 agreement], that was not done as far as I am aware. Regarding special status, there was a law of temporary nature pre Minsk 2, but constitutional amendments required in part 11 of [http://www.spiegel.de/media/media-35901.pdf Minsk-2] were not fulfilled. (Strange that TASS interviewer just nodded in agreement throughout. That was before meeting with Putin, so it was like, well, whatever you say, or something). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:13, 25 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Belarus===<br />
*All top Russian leadership gathered in Minsk. Putin -Lukashenko joint press conference describe talks and decisions of a 'supreme council of a Union State' (Russia and Belarus), and (double-labeling?) inter-state cooperation agreements, economic, military, political --[https://russian.rt.com/article/150537 RT report and video]--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:51, 25 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Turkey===<br />
Aug. 9, 2016. [http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/52671 Putin] and Erdogan [http://rusvesna.su/news/1470758917 met] in St. Petersburg. Relations normalized after an apology by Erdogan, Russian support after the coup, and some back channel diplomacy. [http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/story-of-secret-diplomacy-that-ended-russia-turkey-jet-crisis.aspx?pageID=238&nID=102629&NewsCatID=409 According to] İbrahim Kalın, the spokesman for Erdoğan, businessman “Cavit Çağlar played a very important role” in solving the crisis, as well as Kazakhstan leader “Nursultan Nazarbayev, who showed great friendship to Turkey” and “the patriotic initiative taken by Gen. Hulusi Akar, the Chief of General Staff despite the area being out of his responsibility". At the press conference, big economic projects (Northern stream, Akkuyu nuclear power station ) appear back on track. Syria was to be discussed after the press conference, with difference of approaches remaining but a common solution sought, according to statements made. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:28, 9 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Russia/USA===<br />
A bit more interaction as both are involved in Syria.<br />
<br />
Chances of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Bout Viktor Bout] and [https://www.rt.com/usa/scandal-kidnapped-drug-pilot/ Konstantin Yaroshenko] ( Russians extradited and sentenced to prison terms in USA on weapons/drugs trafficking charges) being released in a swap deal involving Savchenko, Erofeev, and Alexandrov are [http://www.interfax.ru/russia/505074 discussed] in Russian sources, Interfax, Apr. 22, 2016. Previously, some talk on that by Russian FM spokeswoman, and in (overall critical of the government) comments by the opposition. Unsure how realistic is such swap; but seems plausible that Russia is trying to have it; and remains to be seen how it turns out. Russia never clearly stated that releasing Savchenko is going to happen, but appears to be open for some sort of bargain, at least. Can be a broader trust-building step, if it happens (though unsure it will)--[[User:Resup|Resup]]([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:23, 22 April 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
One more [http://ria.ru/syria/20160712/1464817038.html visit] of Kerry to Moscow on 14-15 July 2016, Ukraine and Syria. For one thing, Ukraine can be solved, -by putting really harsh pressure on UKRAINE to fulfill Minsk agreements. It is really no mystery who is not following agreements, yet for as long as it is more politically profitable to keep blaming Russia nothing good will come out. It is not happening because there is no political will in the US to do it in the first place. So what's the point for yet another visit to Moscow? As they say, empty talk is not taxed. With Syria, it's more complicated. With Aleppo rebels surrounded, some tactical advantage on Russian side, but that's about it, and unlikely a solution in a near future. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:57, 12 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
:[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/leaked-proposal-us-offering-russia-military-pact-in-syria/2016/07/14/b562e920-4998-11e6-8dac-0c6e4accc5b1_story.html 'Unable to stop Syria’s war, US offers Russia new partnership'], Washington Post, 14 July 2016.<br />
:Kerry and Lavrov meetings lasted over 10 hours in total. At present, USA taken a pause for consultations ([http://tass.ru/politika/3458891 TASS])., 15 July 2016. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:48, 15 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
:*Lavrov press conference comments after the meeting- [http://tass.ru/politika/3459084 (TASS)] [http://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/2356206 (full)]. Mostly on Syria; direct negotiations advocated for both Syria and Ukraine, with the role of other parties is to press for this to happen. Indirect talks on Syria described as insufficient (on Ukraine, Moscow always tried to have direct dialog, but so far without success). Synchronization of Ukrainian formats advocated (i.e contact groups with participation of DPR/LPR. Normandy format, and direct USA-Russia contacts). Meeting appears to be about agreeing various steps to be done without expectation of those steps leading to a breakthrough.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:41, 16 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
:*Kerry comments on [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zUbWkzIKxE video] (12 min). Talks on measures from around 7:00 time stamp, and that those will not be made public in full details, need further work, and not expected to give immediate results --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:41, 16 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.rt.com/news/361411-russia-suspend-plutonium-deal/ Putin signs decree suspending Russia-US deal on plutonium disposal over hostile US actions], RT. Oct.3, 2016<br />
:Recalling [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F9apXOyJCY earlier interview], April 7, 2016, St, Petersburg, agreement called for both sides having a plant to do disposal irreversibly, but it was said that this was only done by Russia and not implemented by USA, where dilution is used instead. Back than, no steps were taken, but it is done now. The response came in he context of Russia not attending [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/31/nuclear-security-summit-obama-russia-absence nuclear security summit] hosted by Obama. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:28, 3 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://www.apn.ru/index.php?newsid=36352 Russian trumpism after Shayrat] -''APN'' , 29 May 2017. Covering evolution of grass-root and officialdom 'Trumpism' in Russia (in Rus.) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 08:11, 30 May 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://www.eucom.mil/media-library/article/35874/russian-fighter-intercepts-us-aircraft Russian Fighter Intercepts US Aircraft (8 photos)], published by United States European Command, Stuttgart, Germany on Jun 23, 2017 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:51, 23 June 2017 (UTC)<br />
:A U.S. RC-135U flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea was intercepted by a Russian SU-27 Flanker June 19, 2017.<br />
<br />
First personal Trump-Putin meeting, 7 July 2017. [http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/55006 Kremlin release], [https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-and-releases White House (pending)]. It is understood that meeting lasted longer than planned, over 2 hours instead of 40 minutes, and both sides made very emotionally positive statements afterwards. Good 'chemistry' is important, for the good of the world, and with previous admin it was quite terrible. It is also worth mentioning that in terms of actions, not words, it was not very much. Some cessation of hostilities in SW part of Syria was worked out before the meeting. A channel on Ukraine existed with the previous admin and is not by itself a breakthrough (stopping shelling, killing, and return to normality and peace on the ground would be). US statements and actions leading into the meeting were quite uniformly negative, more sanctions, troops, 'Russia a destabilizing force, etc. More on that line eg in 2 articles in Saker. Criticism of that is (1) personal chemistry is important, only time can tell what it leads too, and best for that is to stay open-minded and optimistic (2) on Russia's side, too much fixation on the issue. Russia on one hand tries to keep independence and geopolitical weight comparable to USSR. On the other side, de-industrialization, weak non-supply + non-military economy, flashy but less sustained R&D apart from those (and few selected areas like chips, finance), no viable non -Western alternative value system and strong drive and economic reason to be part of the West --contradictory to attempted geopolitical attitude. In a well-functioning on all levels Russia, quality of reproach with USA would be a lesser issue for Russia; that cannot be replaced by personal contact, as the systems and ways and means are too different. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:19, 8 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Kremlin/Peskov: seized by Obama admin Russian diplomatic property must be returned without preconditions, talks -[http://tass.com/politics/956576 TASS -Eng.] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:54, 17 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
US consulates in Russia [https://ru.usembassy.gov/ru/fact-sheet-ru/ suspend] issuing of non-immigrant visas till 1 September, will restart afterwards but only in Moscow, not at other consulates. It was motivated by Russia telling to cut consulates headcount, however according to [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZgXkYJUm6g&t=27m20s Kislyak interview] on his return to Russia US and Russian consulates issue comparable number of visas (180 thousand visas issued by USA, some 90 thousand, down from peak 134 thousands, by Russia), and it does not take too many people, few dozens maybe. While much smaller European consulates issue about twice more visas (16 consular officers of Italy issued 478 thousand visas, 5 Spanish officers- 877 thousand visas, according to [http://tass.ru/politika/4499442 Russian FM/TASS]) Lavrov comments on the development is at the bottom of his translated [http://www.mid.ru/en/press_service/video/-/asset_publisher/i6t41cq3VWP6/content/id/2840676 press-conference transcript]. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 08:59, 22 August 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE3pU9yhuKw Epiphany ice-hole bathing of the US ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman], 21 January, 2018 (Will not redirect the runaway train, but may be among the best efforts so far...) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:00, 22 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Source: Fiona Hill, Special Assistant to the US President, holds consultations in Moscow [https://tass.ru/politika/6347324 TASS Rus.], [http://tass.com/world/1054288 TASS Eng.]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
====Arms Control====<br />
Russian FM published a [http://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/3192916 detailed report], ''On Russian assessments of the US Department of State report on compliance with agreements and commitments in the field of arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament''. It includes points on major arms control treaties. In particular, it is announced that Russia suspends an agreement on conversion of plutonium, citing many old and new grievances such as NATO expansion, sanctions, Ukraine, as well as US non-compliance with agreed process of conversion (US wants dilution and burial, not utilization in nuclear reactors --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:38, 24 April 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
USA in effect [https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text#toc-H059D37691D9F40348C4794864FEE4AED freezes open skies agreement with Russia], in the newly signed defense budget, until president certifies 'treaty violations responses' on Russia [https://ria.ru/world/20180813/1526479787.html?referrer_block=index_main_1 RIA], 13 Aug. 2018 (The treaty is important for trust on troops and weapons deployment, etc). Some background and discussion [https://www.armscontrol.org/taxonomy/term/32 here] (''In his May letter to Fischer, Mattis countered that the imagery produced on treaty flights “is verifiable and unclassified, which allows for its use in international or bilateral fora.” He noted that, in 2014, treaty imagery was “a key visual aid during U.S. engagement with allies and Russia regarding the military crisis in Ukraine.” '') --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:08, 13 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Unconfirmed====<br />
;Alleged speech of Bill Clinton before the Joined Chiefs of Staff, Oct. 1995<br />
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3ABill_Clinton%2FArchive_9#Alleged_speech_before_the_Joined_Chiefs_of_Staff -Wikipedia/Talk] <br />
*[http://russway.narod.ru/articles/clinton.htm russway.narod.ru], and many similar blog posts in Russian<br />
*Latest mentioning, Oct. 17, 2017, Yelena Ermakova at the Permanent meeting of the People's Patriotic Forces of Russia (members includes Strelkov) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx5077HJLUE&t=2h09m09s tells us] that it was a shocker to Boris Yeltsin and contributed to him later stepping down (with Putin as a replacement); source of Yeltsin claim is unknown. The context of this remark is to argue for some positive sides of Putin, to an audience who is in opposition/identifies as an independent third force. <br />
*Alleged speech cannot be easily traced in [https://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/show/12666 daily schedule for October 1995]. There are some redacted items, and Truman institute meeting on October 25, but no known evidence. Non-existence and an invention from thing air is a possibility. At least it firmly exists as a folklore. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 04:35, 19 October 2017 (UTC)<br />
;'Dulles' Plan' . <br />
Said to be ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulles%27_Plan Wikipedia]) to be a work of fiction. (A user discussing the issue above, Oct. 1995, suggested that it can be a modified version of the 'Dulles' Plan'). One of the places the alleged 1995 plan was published was a literary journal, which may well be publishing fiction. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:59, 19 October 2017 (UTC) Added, it is argued in Russian sources ([https://vk.com/wall-156278021_5124 proryvist], via [https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/4594053.html Cassad]) and quoting from [http://publ.lib.ru/ARCHIVES/J/JUVENEL'_Reno/_Juvenel'_R..html a book] "Army of Mercenaries' (1952) by [https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaud_de_Jouvenel Renaud de Jouvenel] that such plans, involving spies, sabotage, and psy-ops, really existed. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:03, 20 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Helsinki summit, July 16, 2018====<br />
Yurii Ushakov, assistant to the Russian president, comments on the summit-[http://tass.ru/politika/5372835 TASS], 13 July, 2018<br />
<br />
====Bolton in Moscow, October 2018====<br />
Bolton visited Moscow after the US announced intention to withdraw from the [https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/INFtreaty INF treaty]. <br />
<br />
Bolton: I did not bring any more olives (after Putin's comments on 13 arrows and 13 olives held by eagle on the US coat of arms). Bolton: E pluribus unum -"Out of many, one.” (in response to Putin saying that there is also "unity in diversity" on the US coat of arms). Bolton comment is then mistranslated to Russian ("our slogan indeed is that the unity is in diversity") - ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSR_5qwjgbE video])<br />
<br />
[http://www.apn-spb.ru/opinions/article29176.htm A Russian article critical of Putin performance for him being too soft] appeared, by [http://svpressa.ru/authors/sergey-duhanov/ Sergey Dukhanov]. Giving Bolton an opportunity to talk separately to Lavrov, Shoigu, and Patrushev was criticized in particular, for giving Bolton (portrayed as a dedicated opponent) too much inside into fine details of the Russian senior leadership thinking. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:44, 27 October 2018 (UTC)<br />
*Bolton press conference ([https://www.c-span.org/video/?453518-1/national-security-adviser-john-bolton-holds-news-conference-moscow text/video]), Oct. 23, 2018<br />
*:00:20:16 [https://www.c-span.org/video/?453518-1/national-security-adviser-john-bolton-holds-news-conference-moscow&start=1216 THE PROBLEM IS] THERE ARE RUSSIAN (INF violating missiles in Europe) NOW. THE THREAT IS NOT AMERICA WITHDRAW FROM THE INF TREATY. THE THREAT IS THE RUSSIAN MISSILE.<br />
*:00:42:38 ''AND THAT APPLIES TO THE INDICTMENT OF THE INTERNET RESEARCH ASSOCIATINGS ACCOUNTANT THAT was just RELEASED LOOK BACK TO SEE THE TIME PERIODS INVOLVED'' (totally mistranslated to Russian; a news report on this item [https://www.wired.com/story/russia-indictment-twitter-facebook-play-both-sides/ here])<br />
<br />
====Paul Whelan arrest ====<br />
*[https://www.foxnews.com/world/paul-whelan-us-man-accused-of-spying-in-russia-charged-with-espionage-report Paul Whelan, US man accused of spying in Russia, charged with espionage: report], by Katherine Lam, Fox News, January 3, 2019<br />
*[https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/4681887.html About Whelan arrest]-Cassad, January 3, 2019<br />
*: --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:34, 3 January 2019 (UTC)<br />
*[https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/british-citizen-paul-whelan-held-in-russia-over-spying-for-the-west-ghglb88kw British citizen Paul Whelan held in Russia over ‘spying for the West’]-The Times, January 4, 2019<br />
*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/four-countries-now-have-links-to-american-detained-in-russia-as-international-spillover-widens/2019/01/04/25d93b2e-1029-11e9-8f0c-6f878a26288a_story.html Four countries now have links to American detained in Russia as international spillover widens] -''Washington Post'', January 4, 2019<br />
*[http://tass.com/politics/1039009 Russia seeks consular access to Russian detained at US request, says senior diplomat] (indicted in 2017, arrested 29 December, 2018, on Saipan, the Northern Mariana Islands) -''TASS'' (Eng.), January 5, 2019<br />
*[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46769660 "Paul Whelan: Russia rules out prisoner swap for ex-US Marine"] -''BBC'' (Eng.), January 5, 2019<br />
<br />
===Russia/NATO===<br />
*[http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/142046 Kommersant.ru], 7 March 2000. Putin in interview to BBC stated that he does not exclude a possibility of Russia joining NATO. <br />
::At an economic forum in St. Petersburg in June 2017, Putin [http://tass.ru/politika/4310986 reminded] the story of him telling Bill Clinton that Russia might join NATO, to a diplomatic nod of approval by Clinton and alarm of Clinton's entourage. <br />
*BBC, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/audio_video/programmes/breakfast_with_frost/transcripts/putin5.mar.txt Breakfast With Frost Interview]: Vladimir Putin, March 5, 2000<br />
{{I|2|<br />
DAVID FROST:<br />
Tell me about your views on NATO if you would. Do you see NATO as a <br />
potential partner, or a rival or an enemy?<br />
<br />
PUTIN:<br />
Russia is part of the European culture. And I cannot imagine my own country <br />
in isolation from Europe and what we often call the civilised world. So it is <br />
hard for me to visualise NATO as an enemy. I think even posing the question <br />
this way will not do any good to Russia or the world. The very question is <br />
capable of causing damage. Russia strives for equitable and candid relations <br />
with its partners. The main problem here lies in attempts to discard previously <br />
agreed common instruments - mainly in resolving issues of international <br />
security. We are open to equitable co-operation, to partnership. We believe <br />
we can talk about more profound integration with NATO but only if Russia is <br />
regarded an equal partner. You are aware we have been constantly voicing <br />
our opposition to NATO's eastward expansion. <br />
<br />
DAVID FROST:<br />
Is it possible Russia could join NATO?<br />
<br />
PUTIN:<br />
I don't see why not. I would not rule out such a possibility - but I repeat - if and <br />
when Russia's views are taken into account as those of an equal partner. <br />
}}<br />
<br />
*[http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2008-06-30/putins-labyrinth Putin's Labyrinth], Steve Levine, Bloomberg Businessweek, July 1, 2008<br />
:''By the beginning of 2000 the NATO expansion was well under way. Putin met with President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and National Security Adviser Samuel Berger, and floated a question: What would be the West's attitude toward Russia's applying to join NATO? Berger suddenly found a fly on the window to be extremely intriguing. Albright looked straight ahead. Clinton glanced at his advisers and finally responded with a diplomatically phrased brush-off. It was something on the order of, If it were up to me, I would welcome that...<br />
*US permanent representative to NATO [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivo_Daalder Ivo Daalder]: it is possible for Russia to join NATO, but such a decision needs to be taken by Russia, as quoted by [http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20100922/277973798.html RIA], 22 Sept. 2010<br />
<br />
*[https://www.rt.com/news/342915-putin-nato-threat-missiles/ Putin: Russia will consider tackling NATO missile defense threat], RT, 13 May, 2016 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:11, 14 May 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*Frants Klintsevich, the first deputy head of the Russian Federation Council Defense and Security Committee: "The deployment of NATO battalions in the Baltic States and Poland and the fact of bringing the NATO missile defense system to the initial level of readiness are the obvious acts of aggression if things are to be called by their names." [http://tass.ru/en/politics/887203 TASS], July 8, 2016.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:45, 9 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Russia/former Yugoslavia===<br />
*Kosovo authorities have declared a member of the UN mission, Mikhail Krasnoshchekov, wounded by local security officials, persona non grata -[https://ria.ru/20190531/1555162010.html RIA], May 31, 2019<br />
*The UN response -[https://ria.ru/20190531/1555162010.html RIA], [https://rusvesna.su/news/1559322282 Rusvesna] (another photo) May 31, 2019<br />
*:...UN employee cannot be persona non grata , such definition does not apply ...<br />
*First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, Behgjet Pacolli, has invited senior representatives of the United Nations to initiate an investigation - [http://www.rtklive.com/sq/news-single.php?ID=353929 Radio Television Kosovo live] , June 1, 2019<br />
*: It is not clear what Krasnoshekov did/why he was attacked, and what caused Kosovo police activity (against some group of Serbs) to begin with--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:50, 1 June 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Japan===<br />
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuril_Islands_dispute Kuril Islands Dispute, en.wikipedia]<br />
:[http://tass.ru/info/1515098 TASS dossier], 2013: Following the meeting in St. Petersburg, the leaders agreed that the peace treaty problem can be solved only on the basis of the principle of "[http://judodictionary.com/glossary-term/hiki-wake/ Hiki-wake]" - "no victor, no vanquished".<br />
:[https://rg.ru/2016/05/07/premer-sindzo-abe-predlozhil-rossii-sotrudnichestvo-vmesto-konfrontacii.html Japanese Prime Minister offered cooperation with Russia] at a summit in Sochi, his 8 items plan is mentioned, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 07.05.2016<br />
:[https://rg.ru/2016/09/02/reg-dfo/putin-i-abe-dogovorilis-o-novyh-proektah.html Putin and Abe agreed on new (economic) projects], Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 2.09.2016<br />
:[https://rg.ru/2016/09/12/glavy-mid-rf-i-iaponii-vozmut-na-kontrol-dogovorennosti-putina-i-abe.html FM of Russia and Japan will 'take under control' recent agreements of Putin and Abe], Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 12.09.2016<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6aurBI0XxM When is peace with Japan], Kiselev on Rossia 1 TV, 11.09.2016<br />
::some of the Russian 'patriotic opposition' figures, after watching their TVs, expressed concern, interpreting this as plans to transfer islands sovereignty to Japan. <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]])17:51, 16 September 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Various scenarios of signing peace treaty with Japan, possibly transferring to their sovereignty two (or different number) of the 4 disputed islands, possibly after a period of joint economic activity, under conditions not yet agreed, are now openly [https://regnum.ru/news/polit/2216926.html?utm_source=infox.sg discussed] in the Russian press. Russian 'patriotic opposition' is strongly against. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:59, 14 December 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://rusvesna.su/news/1508996991 Klintsevich]: Russia made a decision to establish a Navy base on Kuril islands. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:02, 26 October 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===UN===<br />
Vitalii Churkin, Russia representative at the UN, has [http://rusvesna.su/news/1487610954 died] in New York. He was 65. <br />
:[https://twitter.com/SamanthaJPower/status/833734190101327872 Samantha Power: 'devastated']. Long article in [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/25/opinion/sunday/samantha-power-my-friend-the-russian-ambassador.html?_r=0 NY Times] (maybe she thinks it makes Churkin appear human--but it's rather herself, to a degree. With all that human touch, why all that nonsense she was channeling at the UN? --If she is not vile, it then borders on incompetence. <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:46, 20 February 2017 (UTC)<br />
:[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABS-CBN_(television_network) abs.cbn-tv], a Filipino network (???), made a [http://abs.cbn-tv.com/autopsy-report-reveals-russias-un-envoy-churkin-was-poisoned/ claim] that Churkin 'had poison in his kidneys', presents part of a medical report (with nothing on kidneys in it; liver necrosis mentioned). Report may well be false (any Filipino-Ukrainians?) Russian liberal media cite this as 'US report', point out that Churkin had diplomatic immunity and autopsy is not supposed to be done in US. [https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2017-02-21/colleagues-mourn-sudden-death-of-russian-ambassador-to-un US reports] say that further study needed to determine the cause, it may involve toxicology, but this may well be routine; there were no toxicology results at that point. Churkin was [http://wordyou.ru/224216-poxorony-vitaliya-churkina-na-troekurovskom-kladbishhe-video.html buried] in Moscow on 25 February. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:39, 28 February 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Israel/Palestine===<br />
*[http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/54483 Meeting with President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas], kremlin.ru, 11 May 2017<br />
*: With whatever said there, this is something more difficult to resolve than the issues we cover. However, historically big part of the problem is artificial, divide-and-conquer first, cold war, bone-of-contention logic to follow. All of that was ingrained in lives, blood, and the beliefs, and not easily reversible. What humans did, humans can undo, but only if everybody is in the same direction and at full throttle. In principle, it may be the time. There is a reason for why Putin is on good terms with Netanyahu, and a reason for a different type of leadership in Washington. For the moment, however, with bacchanalia in the US and Byzantium ways in Moscow, quite hard to see it coming in real terms. Who knows.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:28, 11 May 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===...and Iran===<br />
Moldova president Igor Dodon [http://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/4458282 confirmed] a planned meeting in Tehran with Russian vice-PM in charge of defense industry Dmitry Rogozin who was recently declared persona non-grata by Moldova parliament after a row when a regular-scheduled plane with Rogozin on board was disallowed to Moldova by Romania. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 05:29, 3 August 2017 (UTC)<br />
:[https://tvzvezda.ru/news/vstrane_i_mire/content/201708051818-ih55.htm Rogozin and Dodon met in Iran] - ''TV Zvezda'', 5 August, 2017<br />
<br />
===...and Lebanon===<br />
Russia signs [http://www.mid.ru/foreign_policy/international_contracts/2_contract/-/storage-viewer/bilateral/page-101/45208 military cooperation] agreement with Lebanon; and also a [https://aftershock.news/?q=node/615528&full controversial] international shell gas exploration agreement. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 20:09, 11 February 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Afghanistan ===<br />
*[http://www.mid.ru/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/3322203 Lavrov]: In early September, Moscow will host a regular meeting in the Moscow format. Representatives of the Afghan leadership and the Taliban movement were invited to the meeting. The first reaction is positive - they plan to take part in this meeting. I hope it will be productive. (...На заседание были приглашены представители афганского руководства и Движения талибов...) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:50, 21 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[http://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/3398970 О втором заседании Московского формата консультаций по Афганистану] (On the second meeting of the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan) -Russian FM, November 3, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:15, 3 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
*:''.. Invitations to participate in the event were sent to the participating countries - Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, as well as the United States. The President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, A. Gani, decided to send a delegation of the High Peace Council of this country to the meeting. For the first time, a delegation of the Political Office of the '''Taliban Movement in Doha will participate''' in an international meeting of this level. The agreement of the final document is not planned.<br />
<br />
===Historic===<br />
*[http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_9C935351D7E2443FA1AC49509AC83C7F War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; The Weapon of Choice], Interview with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentin_Falin Valentin Falin] -''Openvault'', 04/07/1986<br />
*:Interesting coverage of 1943 to 1967 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:11, 27 February 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====NATO expansion====<br />
* [https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/russia-programs/2017-12-12/nato-expansion-what-gorbachev-heard-western-leaders-early Declassified documents show security assurances against NATO expansion to Soviet leaders from Baker, Bush, Genscher, Kohl, Gates, Mitterrand, Thatcher, Hurd, Major, and Woerner], National Security Archive, released 12 December 2017.<br />
<br />
====Afghanistan==== <br />
*27 December 1979, one of the first operations of 'Alpha' and 'Vympel' units, a success. Soviet invasion of Afghanistan followed. Eventually, combined effects of invasion, with the other side backed by the West; cold war, economic, ideological wars; and internal rot of the system resulted in withdrawal from Afghanistan (15 February 1989), collapse of the USSR (1991). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 05:36, 8 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
**[https://life.ru/1076504 Life], [http://rusvesna.su/news/1515322139 Rusvesna] ''Ideal operation: how Soviet spetznaz stormed Amin palace in Afghanistan (photo)'', 7/8 January, 2018<br />
<br />
==Government==<br />
In an unexpected move, chief of presidential administration and power structures (FSB, MOD) veteran Sergei Ivanov is [http://tass.ru/politika/3532595 replaced] by a young assistant, Anton [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%92%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BD%D0%BE,_%D0%90%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BD_%D0%AD%D0%B4%D1%83%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87 Vaino], a diplomat, from a family where grandfather was a first secretary of communist party of Estonia (1978-88). Ivanov ''remains on Russian security council'' (and Vaino added, too). Move was [http://rusvesna.su/news/1470998583 explained] by Ivanov desire to serve no more than 4 years as administration chief; he served since 2011. His new role is presidential special representative for nature preservation, ecology, transport. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lq2JbVNSLU Video] of transition announcement meeting appeared, with Ivanov feeling very comfortable with the development. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:31, 12 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
:Some Russian commentators note that Ivanov son has [http://www.thenational.ae/uae/russian-banker-drowns-in-uae died] in a swimming accident in UAE in November, 2014, possibly contributing to Ivanov wish to step down from his current post--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:48, 12 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
Ivanov was interested in nature preservation for a long time. He was on the board of a nonprofit entity to preserve leopards since 2011. In his 2013 interview, he said "with age, you come to a sad conclusion that with cats and dogs it is more comfortable than with some people"; also saying that nothing is really being produced in Moscow, there are just some cleaners, drivers, 'office plankton', journalists + bureaucrats (added in response to further question). He spent considerable portion of the [http://www.rbc.ru/newspaper/2013/10/01/56c0b19a9a7947299f72dcae interview] on leopards and gepards. However, there is a ministry of natural resources and ecology, and a ministry of transport in the Russian government, so impact of a single presidential representative without staff and resources in uncertain. It seems to be an open-ended appointment, where one can do little on officially declared issues and have the ministries as a fall back option; or can be a pioneer/at the frontier, as large portions of the country territory are not developed, largely because of lack of roads. Ecology issues are important in deciding what territory should or should not be developed. It may be also a position on a 'reserve' bench but he can be quickly deployed to a front role if the need arises, say if sanctions and economy pain is suddenly too much to keep Medvedev. This is such a reshuffle where no new independent face has entered the scene (and nobody really left it). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:32, 13 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Peskov 'has not seen or heard' that Russian officials were 'recommended' to bring their children studying abroad and family members back to Russia -[http://tass.ru/politika/3696015 TASS]. Nobody else heard about that, either.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 17:39, 11 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Duma===<br />
According to [http://www.newsru.com/russia/07nov2016/refrainfrom.html media reports], <s> "United Russia" recommended </s> ex-Crimea prosecutor general, now Duma deputy (and [https://www.rt.com/news/195096-poklonskaya-dark-hair-crimea/ eye-candy]) Natalya Poklonskayaa to <s> avoid further media activity</s>, after a sequence of her controversial pronouncements in media. That started with her supporting a request to investigate a new, not yet released movie [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9QESOBmBzE 'Matilda'], about the last Tsar and his love interest, ballerina [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathilde_Kschessinska Matilda Ksehinskaya], on the accusation of 'anti-religious propaganda'. (That would go against artistic freedoms of the film director (Uchitel- a well-known established director) , and reflects general trend of tightening liberties gained after the USSR collapse, and increased role of the Christian Orthodox church in the society. Tsar Nikolai II and his family were executed by Bolsheviks in 1918, and quite recently, 2000, were [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%8F_%D1%86%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B9_%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BC%D1%8C%D0%B8 declared saints] by the Russian Christian Orthodox church). Poklonskaya misadventures were followed by a mis-attribution of a quote from Griboedov's "Woe from Wit" (that used to be part of a school program in Russia, --but her education was in Ukrainian system). It was followed by her calling Lenin in addition to Hitler as villains of the century (attitudes towards Lenin differ but equating Lenin to Hitler would be a controversial public comment in Russia). Those statements interfered with her previous image of pretty but tough prosecutor, with some cult following (in Japanese anime art, references in recent Russian movies, etc)--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:43, 7 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
:Update: "United Russia" [http://tass.ru/politika/3764438 denied Poklonskaya media ban report]--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:57, 7 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Territorial Concessions===<br />
* [https://lenta.ru/russia/2004/10/20/islands/ Amur river islands Tarabarov, Great Ussuriisk], around 337 km^2 given to China in 2004, and following Gorbachev signing treaty on demarcation line by Amur river waterway in 1991 and subsequent Chinese irrigation/engineering project changing river flow<br />
* [http://www.vlg.aif.ru/politic/gover/67697 175,000 km^2 shelf zone given to Norway] in 2010, half of disputed, oil ans gas rich area.<br />
* Proposed by Putin 'Khikivake' (no winners or losers- judo) [https://www.inopressa.ru/article/30Apr2013/inotheme/rus_japan.html explored] by Russia and Japan regarding Kuril islands; the latest is Japanese business delegation [https://rg.ru/2017/06/28/iaponskaia-delegaciia-ocenit-vozmozhnosti-dlia-biznesa-na-iuzhnyh-kurilah.html visiting] Kuril islands (Jun. 2017), to report on possible business development projects. The whole issue is warily watched by Russian 'patriotic opposition' vigorously opposed to further territorial concessions.<br />
*:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:26, 29 June 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Japan? ====<br />
November 2018, renewed talk about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet%E2%80%93Japanese_Joint_Declaration_of_1956 declaration of 1956], giving two of the Kuril islands to Japan; the talk alarmed patriotic opposition which strongly declared an intent to oppose it. Strelkov's grandfather fought in the Soviet-Japanese war of 1945, I recon. Not only his. What will that generation say now, if they may? I guess, they would not rush into it, not at all, especially for reasons of needs of the day, on a weak-footed approach. Will they hold it sort of sacred? Neither, I guess. With something truly theirs, make use (or, sometimes, let go); if theirs jointly, jointly to figure. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:42, 18 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
: +[https://echo.msk.ru/programs/observation/2316456-echo/ Venediktov]: Simultaneously with the statements about the 56th year and about the peace treaty with Japan, very few people noticed that Putin accidentally — he had everything by chance — [https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2018/11/17/vstrechu-putina-s-tachi-serby-vosprinyali-s-gorechyu-i-zlostyu met with the former field commander and now the president of Kosovo].<br />
<br />
===Response to sanctions===<br />
Sanctions worsen economic situation of ordinary people. They are introduced, apparently, in the hope of creating pressure or unrest causing change of behavior or non-military regime change. According to well-known patriotic opposition figure, recently there has been increased serious competition on top between pro-Western oligarchical 'globalists' and 'siloviki' ('force men', military, services, and such; plus MIC and non-globalist oligarchs, perhaps). Consequences of such competition may include defeat of globalists and military escalations in hotspots. Also a softpower version of the same is reported, including anecdotal evidence that a new political association is being created, patriotic/monarchist sort, Malofeev-Borodai sort. I suspect that economic protests will be subdued for a while and visible net result of all those under-carpet movements close to zero, however with a buildup of tensions and slow drift towards global abyss. There is also a potential for rapid big moves, not of a pleasant sort (for anybody) . --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:40, 9 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2018/08/12/the-self-imposed-impotence-of-the-russian-and-chinese-governments/ The Self-Imposed Impotence of the Russian and Chinese Governments]-PC Roberts, 12 Aug. 2018<br />
: Good, well written article. But a bit detached from reality. (1) Western trade is a source of wealth for the elites. Cutting it off needs very major restructuring of those streams, taking years. They want to keep enjoying life in their lifetime, in fact right now, and not as an abstract eventual possibility (2) In case of Russia, not enough is produced locally to cut off oil and gas sales as well as imports straight away. It can be fixed, but it has not been, and is difficult in a crunch. People were hooked up on consumerism, glamour babes, kids yearning Western goods, adults, about the same, China, same thing too. They are kept hooked up, in exchange for letting the governments a slack. So governments are in no rush to change this situation, unless it is up against the wall. But it may get there, into a wall, with a huge recoil, not to be enjoyed, by anyone, anywhere --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:18, 16 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Military===<br />
*[https://ria.ru/20190302/1551501526.html The General Staff of Russia explained the essence of the American "Trojan Horse"] -''RIA'', March 2, 2019. Robo-translated bits below. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:28, 3 March 2019 (UTC) <br />
<br />
:The Pentagon has begun to develop a new strategy of warfare "Trojan Horse", said the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces - First Deputy Minister of Defense Army General Valery Gerasimov. He noted that Russia is ready to respond to this within the framework of an active defense strategy. Its (= US strategy) essence lies in the active use of the protest potential of the "fifth column" in the interests of destabilizing the situation while simultaneously attacking with high precision weapons ([https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Высокоточное_оружие ВТО]-Russ.) the most important objects.<br />
<br />
:The Russian response is based on an active defense strategy that (given the defensive nature of the Russian military doctrine) provides for measures to proactively neutralize threats to the security of the state.<br />
<br />
:Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General David Goldfein, who spoke at the Brookings Research Institute in Washington, spoke about the new strategy of combat operations. According to him, the Pentagon was pushed by “threats” from Russia and China to this. The general called the main feature of the strategy the covert penetration deep into the territory of the enemy and striking not on the strong, but on its weak sides.<br />
*[https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/6178016 The General Staff of the Russian Federation spoke about the development of the US strategy of color revolutions using weapons] -''TASS'', March 2, 2019<br />
<br />
====GRU====<br />
2 November, 2018 Putin [http://rusvesna.su/news/1541171460 proposes] to restore the name 'GRU' (Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces). Current name is GU (Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces). He also praises the service on the 100 years anniversary of military intelligence--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:01, 2 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
22 November. GRU chief Igor' Korobov, 62, died - [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46298959 BBC], [http://tass.com/defense/1031941 TASS] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 03:48, 22 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
:'' BBC's 'understood' is an apparent reference to [http<br />
<br />
===FSO===<br />
*[http://rusvesna.su/news/1542952673 ФСО объяснила полёты военных вертолётов над Кремлём] -''Rusvesna'', November 22, 2018 <br />
*[https://lenta.ru/news/2018/11/22/heli_kreml/ На новом видео с вертолетами над Кремлем заметили вооруженных людей] -''lenta.ru'', November 22, 2018<br />
<br />
===Surkov===<br />
*[http://www.ng.ru/ideas/2019-02-11/5_7503_surkov.html Владислав Сурков: Долгое государство Путина] О том, что здесь вообще происходит (Vladislav Surkov: the long state of Putin. About what is happening here at all) -"Novaya Gazeta", 11 February, 2019. Blog copies: [http://privat-mnenie.ru/eksklyuziv/275-statya-vladislava-surkova-dolgoe-gosudarstvo-putina-polnyj-tekst.html 1]. Translations: Fort Russ, Feb. 16; Saker, Feb. 14, etc. <br />
<br />
;Responses<br />
*[https://izborsk-club.ru/16492 Alexandr Dugin: Putin or Super-Putin] -''Izborgskii Klub'', February 12, 2019. Translations: Fort Russ, Feb. 16.<br />
<br />
;Comment.<br />
I'd say, this is in "not even wrong" category. It is not up to the chief architect of 'software' (soft power/ideology/PR/media) to tell how that this system has to be viewed, or how long that 'software' will last. Immediate question would be sincerity and self-interest of such pronouncements. Ideas-wise, reminds of Zinoviev, noting that post 'cata-stroika' it resorts to some pre-Soviet notions, idealized, not to the immediately preceding period; likewise here, 'deep people/nation' is similar to the Tsar Nikolai I motto, "Orthodoxy, autocracy" (aka sovereign democracy), "peoplism" ('sacred' version of going back to the people, not populism in the preset negative sense). Indeed, as Dugin points out, any genuinely consistent framework is wiped out, and replaces by fake replicas and combinations of things which do not combine, in an art of puppet-mastery. Will that last? Why would it? OK, maybe, if nobody can agree and this is some sort of bad falling trap, hard to escape. But far more likely, either turn to much more robust nationalism, aimed at economic and mental re-build of the country, and quite possibly more anti-Western; or some version of surrender of national ideas to the point of external governance, something like present Bulgaria, Baltics, etc, natural resources/agriculture supplement to the world proper, with all the neoliberal political correctness and other ways and means indistinguishable from the West --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:25, 17 February 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The future should be up to future leaders, that would be the best way forward, not artificial constructs mummifying the status quo. But there should be measures in effect to prevent strife; - and old leaders would have to be protected. There needs to be natural and bloodless change, to ensure upward progress; and stepping down should not be feared as part of this. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 03:51, 18 February 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
== Economy==<br />
Financial Times: EU blocked nuclear deal between Russia and Hungary [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9a6467e2-c8c1-11e4-8617-00144feab7de.html#axzz3UDFesDDF FT, 12.03.15] . --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:37, 12 March 2015 (UTC)<br />
: [http://tass.ru/en/world/782568 EU: we did not] (this is 'only' about fuel, not the whole project) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:48, 13 March 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
Greece and Russia plan to sign an agreement, with Moscow providing 3 to 5 bln euro financing to Greece, said to be for building gas network hooking up to Turkish stream, with repayment from transit fees[http://tass.ru/ekonomika/1913089 TASS]-Quoting Spiegel. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 02:07, 18 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
:Peskov [http://tass.ru/ekonomika/1913718 denied] the story (the way it was reported at least) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:17, 19 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
7.7.15 [http://www.vestifinance.ru/articles/59685 Saudis to invest up to 10 bln $] into a joint investment fund with Russia. Earlier reports [http://lenta.ru/news/2015/06/16/saud_iscander/ described] Saudi interest in the Russian ' Iskander' missile system. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:40, 7 July 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Turkey is to [http://www.rg.ru/2015/07/07/reg-kfo/turkey.html invest] 12 bln $ in Crimea-construction, tourism, agriculture industry --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:44, 7 July 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Negotiations on Turkish gas stream were suspended for a while; but now a discount sought by Turkey was [http://www.gazeta.ru/business/news/2015/07/31/n_7423753.shtml agreed]. Another reported earlier disagreement is that Russia seeks to have 4 lines built, while Turkey is said to favor just one, leading to Turkey. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:56, 31 July 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Oil [http://www.topoilnews.com/ goes towards] $ 30 a barrel... [http://ru.reuters.com/article/topNews/idRUKCN0UP1Q620160111?sp=true Reuters:] 10 % budget sequestration planned. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:24, 11 January 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://lenta.ru/news/2016/01/27/plan/ RBK learned details of anti-crisis plan of the government], lenta.ru, 27.1.16. <br />
737 billion rubles for structural changes in the economy. Budget and Russian [http://www.vestifinance.ru/articles/64067 anti-crisis fund] money will be used.<br />
<br />
[http://kommersant.ru/doc/2997059 Russia mulls introducing own crypto-currency] (non anonymous unlike bitcoin, for one thing) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:50, 27 May 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Opinions===<br />
[http://lenta.ru/video/2016/01/20/potapenko/ Dmitriy Potapenko interview], lenta.ru, Jan. 20, 2016. Briefly, talks about general problems of running business in Russia. That includes tight dependence of business from government, starting from the early days when oligarchs were 'appointed' by authorities; those were able to privatize major assets, and only small chips were left. Such sort of relations between government and business largely remained, in his opinion. He also highlights problems such as racketeering, tax avoidance, public funds mis-allocation, lack of legal protection for business, and lack of open popular discussion of those issues,-- saying he is essentially alone raising all that publicly. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:36, 20 January 2016 (UTC)<br />
:But there are some successes not from the 'appointed', in technology (e.g. Milner ); some successful farmers; etc. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 02:15, 20 January 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqsZqQr_No4 Economist Sergey Gubanov interviewed by Marat Musin: "Fourth Industrial Revolution: a myth or reality?"]<br />
:Advocates (re) industrialization, as opposed to monetarism /finance-based economy. By 4th industrialization he means technologies and, more or less, automation of production and de-assembly, running full closed cycle. Critical of current government policies, such as proposed privatization of state assets and budget sequester, saving on most vulnerable population groups, science, education, health, culture. Highlights that (1) according to official statistics for 2015, effectiveness of capital investment is (-16) % (definitions =?) (2) net export of goods is about 13 % of GDP --which he links with overall inflation of about 15 % <br />
:Conjectures that recent Kissinger visit to Moscow could be to offer increase in oil price in exchange for compromises on Syrian ceasefire <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:43, 24 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2016/09/28/can-russia-learn-from-brazils-fate-paul-craig-roberts-and-michael-hudson/ Can Russia Learn From Brazil’s Fate? — Paul Craig Roberts and Michael Hudson], 28 Sept. 2016 <br />
:''There is a huge difference between the money created by the central bank and the money created by foreign creditors. Money lent by foreign banks in the form or US dollars or euros must be repaid with interest in the foreign exchange in which the money was lent. Money created by the central bank to finance public infrastructure projects does not have to be repaid at all, much less with interest and in foreign exchange earned by exports.<br />
:Noted: [http://www.global-rates.com/interest-rates/central-banks/central-bank-russia/cbr-interest-rate.aspx Russian central bank interest rate] makes business loans (too) expensive.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:47, 10 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Putin somewhat softened pension reform (smaller age increase for women, measures to protect employment of older workers). There is neither an outcry nor joy of happiness in the public reaction. Both democratic and patriotic opposition offered critical commentary. Pro-government commenters tried to play it up a bit. (No particular sample of this stands out, so staying descriptive).--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 05:15, 31 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Yukos===<br />
[http://www.pcacases.com/web/sendAttach/420 Yukos vs Russian Federation], In The Matter Of An Arbitration Before A Tribunal Constituted In Accordance With Article 26 Of The Energy Charter Treaty And The 1976 Uncitral Arbitration Rules, 18 July 2014 (and currently under appeal?)<br />
*Yukos ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Khodorkovsky Khodrkovskii]) and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosneft Rosneft] (Government is majority holder, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Sechin Sechin] is director) have [http://rusvesna.su/third_world/1427893050 reached a settlement] of all of their disputes. It is said that the settlement is payment-free. Yukos-Russia case is separate from this. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:28, 1 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
*[http://tass.ru/en/politics/845979 Kremlin says measures are being taken in response to attempts to arrest Russian property], TASS (Eng.), Dec 22, 2015. 'Former Yukos shareholders achieved arrest of payments by launch services provider Arianespace and satellite operator Eutelsat addressed to their Russian counterparts'. <br />
*[http://tass.ru/en/politics/846032 Investigators say Tuesday's searches are part of Yukos money laundering probe], TASS (Eng.), Dec 22, 2015.<br />
*[[Russian_non-system_opposition#Khodorkovskii|Russia reopens a criminal case, declares Khodorkovsky arrested in absentia]], Dec. 23, 2015.<br />
<br />
*[https://www.rt.com/business/340321-yukos-court-russia-favor/ Russia wins Hague court appeal over $50bn Yukos judgement], RT, Apr. 20, 2016 (on the basis of lack of jurisdiction).<br />
:[http://www.ft.com/fastft/2016/04/20/dutch-court-rejects-50bn-yukos-claim-against-russia/ Financial Times report]<br />
<br />
===Programs===<br />
Several programs of economic development, 2018-2025 were proposed, includingg<br />
#Liberal/globalist Kudrin program [https://news.mail.ru/economics/29934057/ 1] [http://www.aif.ru/money/economy/kak_kudrin_hochet_udvoit_vvp_programma_reform_ot_eks-ministra_finansov 2] has austerity (raising retirement age) and technology development items<br />
#Businessman [http://stolypinsky.club/economica-rosta/ Titov program] draws attention to stagnation/contraction, calls for financial and legislative support of business. <br />
#[https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3303255 Program by Medvedev government] sees return to GDP growth above world average in the future. <br />
<br />
Economic situation is indeed difficult; some, including economist [http://khazin.ru/articles/179-mnenie-hazina/41334-zapasnogo-varianta-bolshe-net Mikhail Khazin]([http://neoeconomica.com/mikhail-khazin/ about]), & Strelkov, 'panick' a bit raising potential of non-evolutionary or catastrophic change, with little room (or even no chance) to avoid it. It is likely over-panicking; sky is rarely falling down and life goes on. Despite problems, suddenly low oil price, ridiculous situation with credit, etc. agriculture is OK and prosper, so there should be food at least; and buildings and utilities are already there. With non-evolutionary change, what that will look like? Some militarized, neo-Stalinist (at least non-globalist) regime? No good alternative for having an evolution. -Yet something happened suddenly in Venezuela; so, bad scenarios are not impossible in principle; those guys seem to be taking a largely emotional ride with those. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:29, 12 June 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Re-industrialization?====<br />
Many plants were closed, sold for scrap, past 1991; there are long lists on the web, discussed and lamented. (In the West, de-industrialization too, perhaps smarter, with biggest money-makers kept, or invented, but still a lot of real things are produced in China, or Mexico. With huge capital rather sitting in unreal things like iphones or internet shopping or google). There is Russian patriotic opposition talk on re-industrialization. Unclear how it can come about though, with no capital or enough highly motivated idealists to bring it about. Prevailing mode on the top of food chain is still natural resources based. Evolution towards industrial self-sufficiency?--Possibly, but not great deal of momentum going there right now. Oligarchs are into natural resources mostly, and bureaucrats do not make industrial output either. Small business, mostly re-selling, services, or agriculture. Stalinist methods of industrialization are not readily available, even if still imagined. But there are some signs of evolutionary industrial progress, with more things starting to get produced. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:56, 14 June 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Nord Stream 2 ===<br />
[https://www.nord-stream2.com/project/construction/ Constructing the Pipeline] -Nord Stream 2. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:33, 26 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Technology===<br />
*[http://www.moonofalabama.org/2017/08/nyt-russia-stifles-its-innovation-by-pursuing-fraud.html NYT - Russia Wants Innovation, But It’s Arresting Its Fraudsters] -Moon of Alabama, 10 August, 2017<br />
*:It's quite refreshing to see a not uniformly critical article on Russian affairs. What happened in reality is probably messier than a partisan narrative. This company is said to change filter type, from photo-catalyses based (that requires electricity) to adsorption-catalyses based (that does not, or requires less). The company believed their new filter is OK, and did tests to confirm; regulators thought it's not properly approved; but the approval process may be not very mature; and a legal assault by competitors is not out of question too. Some, not unreasonable, article, [https://en.crimerussia.com/gromkie-dela/who-contracted-innovative-businessman-dmitry-trubitsyn/ here] (some strange Honk Kong based [https://crimerussia.com/about/ media company] with a Russian-speaking editor...Funding, backers--no clue. )--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 05:24, 12 August 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Stats===<br />
*[http://atlas.cid.harvard.edu/explore/?country=186&partner=undefined&product=undefined&productClass=HS&startYear=undefined&target=Product&year=2017 Russian exports], 2016 data, Harvard atlas, Growth Lab @ Center for International Development at Harvard University --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:22, 5 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Arts, Sciences, Society==<br />
[http://www.sql.ru/forum/904735/perechityvaya-brodskogo-vot-natknulsya "On Ukrainian Independence"] by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Brodsky Joseph Brodsky] <br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iLLxIdR4dw video, 1992]-likely recorded in the US. <br />
::Quite untranslatable--Heavy, pro-Russian, linguistic firepower ... --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:22, 10 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Very different stuff, Sergei Lavrov-[http://www.1tvnet.ru/content/show/sergei-lavrov-opublikoval-stihi-o-zagranice_31784.html poems about foreign lands]...<br />
:Kind of nostalgic, as if he emigrated ... --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:31, 10 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_Plisetskaya Maya Plisetskaya] (20 November 1925 – 2 May 2015), [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prima_ballerina_assoluta prima ballerina assoluta] -Bolshoi<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWqciLh4sDc Johann Sebastian Bach, Prelude]<br />
:Debut-[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC26g0yHz_k Black Swan], 1947. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-AMH_Woywg Dying Swan], 1959.<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsSALaDJuN4 Bolero] (choreography by Maurice Béjart)<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:23, 10 May 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Northern Palmyra===<br />
Norther Palmyra, in Russian literature from the end of 18 century, is a name for St Petersburg, which was compared by richness and beauty with an ancient city of Palmyra in Syria. [http://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enc1p/42710 modern Encyclopedia online (Russian)] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:07, 15 May 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
St Petersburg International Economic Forum ended, [http://tass.ru/ekonomika/2059708 over 200 contracts signed.] [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/02/carla-bruni-dazzles-at-st_n_482971.html Carla Bruni (here with Medvedev, 2010)], wife of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, [http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/20/us-russia-putin-idUSKBN0P00JG20150620 gave a concert, followed by a midnight dinner]. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:17, 20 June 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Literature===<br />
"Authorities do not need un-manageable friends. Authorities need manageable enemies". Victor Pelevin, Lamp of Methuselah or the final battle of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheka Chekists] and Masons, 2016. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:10, 7 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Censorship and state control===<br />
[http://www.svoboda.org/a/28074008.html Konstantin Raikin on censorship in art] -''Radio Svoboda'', October 25, 2016<br />
:There is constitutional ban on [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A6%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B7%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B0_%D0%B2_%D0%A0%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B9_%D0%A4%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B8 censorshop in Russia]. However it is resurgent in the form of 'groups of citizens whose feelings were hurt' (several closures of controversial theater productions, exhibitions, etc). Raikin makes passionate appeal for freedom or art and 'industry solidarity'. His talk proved to be controversial and quite widely discussed, including a [http://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/2016/10/25/662327-peskov-tsenzuru reply by Peskov] (no censorship, but 'if state funds a production it has a right to designate a topic'...), and from [http://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/2016/10/26/662466-minkulturi-raikinu ministry of culture] ('funding of Raikin's 'Satirkon' increased, but attendance is lowest among federal theaters'...). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:43, 27 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Cultural precursors to war in Ukraine?===<br />
Crimea was always present somewhere in the consciousness ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/72_Meters 72 meters] movie, for one example), yet in general before it happened it was quite impossible to imagine. Belovezh agreement trio could not foresee that coming--known from recent [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz3X1uywfgo interviews] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gennady_Burbulis Burbulis] for Russia; with English translation). Yet strangely movies [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_(1997_film) "Brother"] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_2 "Brother 2"] captured some mood in the air back in 1997, time when disappointment in Yeltsin was setting in yet it was very far from a new chapter. Featuring turf violence, strive for truth yet reliance on strength of arms (+ money), nationalism (at expense of 'non-Russian Russians', some more than the others). 'Russians do not leave theirs behind', 'Are you Bandera?', 'and you will still have to answer for Crimea/Sevastopol !' is all there already, with plenty of shooting in all directions too. Strange feeling from seeing that thing from the 90's now ('Brother' in there is more like organised crime/street toughs salutation than when used for brotherly 'non-brother' nation of Ukraine, yet it's the same word). Sergey Bodrov, playing the main character, was a rising film star before he died in avalanche filming in the mountains for another movie. Two short music video clips, perhaps conveying some of the spirit; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqPUL0MLGOY Brother] (St. Petersburg, to the music of "Nautilus' band, mysteriously worded -some Animal hidden by night-possibly either demonic or suicidal in undertones, according to various commentators); [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTiFIdSzaSI Brother 2] (visit to USA here-and a fair amount of pointed. if quite stereotypical, mockery)--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 05:17, 25 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Science/math/Social Science===<br />
<small> Not the focus of this shoutwiki </small><br />
<br />
Mathematician, algebraist and controversial author [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Shafarevich Shafarevich] [http://narodtv.com/blogs/94 died]. Apart from algebra, for a long time spoke on social concepts ('small nation within bigger nation'; 'Russophobia'). Early on, that was understood to be anti-Semitic; in the last [http://narodtv.com/blogs/94 linked] video he argues along the lines of that being russophobic part of intelligentsia. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:17, 21 February 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludvig_Faddeev Ludvig Faddeev], [http://tass.ru/nauka/4051870 died] 26 Feb. 2017.<br />
<br />
===Antisemitism ===<br />
No systematic coverage planned, but once happened to be on this topic now, --it's on the rise, and quite a lot of it in patriotic opposition/Russian world social media. Even those quite rational like Strelkov puts some muted versions once in a while (no clue why, and what to make of Kolomoiskii claim that he 'knows' him to be Jewish--in exact sense unspecified). Mozgovoi also had some of it once in a while; both him and Strelkov in rather mild/muted way, more like anti-oligarchy and pro-patriotism. But there are bad and very bad versions of that too, and volume is on the increase. Some aggressive comments in pro-Russian English-language media are clearly seen. Saker among the leaders here. Recent example, was wondering what that [http://thesaker.is/trump-dreams-vs-trump-reality-hopes-still-permitted/ diatribe] means<br />
:''End what I would call the “dictatorship of the minorities” and replace it with a restoration of the sovereignty of the majority of the American people over their country. The “Rachel Maddows” who used to be the “ideological masters” of the AngloZionist regime would be gently ushered towards the doors and replaced by people most Americans could identify with.<br />
Like, who the hell is 'Rachel Maddows'. On inspection, that refers to an annoying lefty talk show host on one of the US MSM channels (MSNBC). On further inspection, she is Jewish, according to wikipedia ... --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:52, 21 February 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Social Life===<br />
Former holiday of the Great October Socialist Revolution (Nov. 7)<br />
*[https://echo.msk.ru/blog/m_naumova/2087012-echo/ The Russians had more important things to do than follow the iPhone and the tales of Navalny ...], by teenage girl weightlifting champ Maryana Naumova, Echo Moskvy, 6 Nov. 2017 <br />
*[https://echo.msk.ru/blog/corruption/2087946-echo/ 7 November], by Alexey Navalnyi, Echo Moskvy, 7 Nov. 2017<br />
:''...great and terrible day...''<br />
*:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:35, 7 November 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
On this day of 7 November, 2017, Vladislav Surkov (presently soft power adviser to the Russian president, [http://www.nomad.su/?a=3-200505190015 formerly] into theater, business PR, and some army service) writes a piece for RT [https://russian.rt.com/world/article/446944-surkov-krizis-licemeriya Crisis of hypocrisy. "I hear America singing"]. With a plug for US metallic rock group 5FDP and their 'Wash away', a revelation that when old hypocrisy language/mode becomes overused, a new hypocrisy dawns, and a vision of 'the Roman Republic' (='the West') replaced by a 'Roman Empire' , with some 'Tsar' taking over. (No smoking choice details provided, and with Strelkov among dedicated readership). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:41, 7 November 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Personas===<br />
*[https://www.facebook.com/margarita.simonyan.5/posts/10156217691737305 Margarita Simonyan] -''Facebook'' post, 18 April, 2018 ([https://putnik1.livejournal.com/6743364.html review]), ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margarita_Simonyan Wikipedia]) <br />
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imroLDl5rFg 'Red corner with Yelena Sharoikina'], ''Tsargrad TV'' -interview with Konstantin Malofeev ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konstantin_Malofeev#Involvement_in_the_War_in_Donbass Wikipedia]), 9 September, 2017<br />
* Iosif Davidovich Kobzon, 'Sinatra of Moscow', died. He had many titles and awards, including Honored Artist/People's Artist of Checheno Ingushetia (1964), Russia, USSR, Ukraine (withdrawn) , Dagestan, Ossetia, Moldova. He was one of the few who participated in hostage crisis negotiations on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_theater_hostage_crisis Dubrovka] and was one of the few who went inside, returning back with a few released hostages (while Nemtsov did not go, after a call from the president asking not to). [http://rusvesna.su/news/1535633416 Kadyrov] was among the first to send tributes. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:20, 30 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
*:Concerts in Afghanistan in the 80's -an [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vKU83TIHSw old video], an [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKJVBwaVVFQ interview, 2011]; somebody else ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lou9yhHRgFs 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijAHrD4qcT4 2]) performing a song 'Remember Afghanistan', which he [http://rusvesna.su/news/1535632691 sang in Lvov] in 2013.<br />
<br />
===Music===<br />
Somehow, societal center of mass seems to move from the 'Russian rock' (Grebenshikov/Shevchuk/Tsoy) to rap. That's what they say younger Donbass defenders listen to (Motorola), and perhaps civilian nonconformists or tough glamour types (the latter like in USA but without the racial aspect). This TASS test, [http://tass.ru/tests/167 Mayakovsky or Russian rap], seems to be surprisingly difficult. Looking through a list of performers who refused to perform at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashestvie 'Nashestvie'] festival, to do with MoD sponsoring it, I discovered (for myself) this young charts-topping (sometimes) wonder-woman Monetochka' ('a little coin-girl'). Style, uncertain, some R&B here, of Russian sort. <br />
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hJOCCXPwT8 Monetochka- 'No coins'] ([https://genius.com/Monetochka-no-money-lyrics lyrics])<br />
*:Partial 'un-rapping' translation: лофт -loft; Татушки: tattoo (context unclear); Cubase -[https://www.steinberg.net/en/products/cubase/start.html Cubase]; эмси -MC, master of ceremonies/[https://www.darsaal.com/dictionary/amp/german-to-english/conferancier.html conferancier]; проги -programs; слоу-мо -slow motion; хейтер -[https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hater hater]; кипишуя ([https://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/dic_synonims/225672/кипиш кипиш]) - ruckus, bedlam, scandal, from Yiddish חופּות , [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuppah Chuppah], wedding canopy, in slang, they say, a theft assisted by an attractive prostitute --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:13, 29 July 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Opposition and NGO==<br />
===Non-System opposition===<br />
Discussed [[Russian_non-system_opposition|elsewhere]]<br />
<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valeriya_Novodvorskaya Novodvorskaya] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeSBtua3n-M video appeal] to 'Donbass militants'. Had an allergy to her (considering erratic/illogical/flaky). But this appeal is among the strongest of all. "My dear and darling, what is that you are planning to die for? ". June 19, 2014. She was a dissident, starting from the Soviet times, never ending. Died recently. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 03:04, 21 February 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
April 4, 2017. Some turbulence ahead? Khodorkovskiy; anti-Putin themed protests planned on 29 April ([https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B5%D0%BB #надоел]; Engl. version on FR.), following anti-corruption meetings in march targeting PM. Authorities are said to plan anti-terrorism meetings in earlier protest places (media [http://www.newsru.com/russia/04apr2017/antiterror.html reports], 4 April). Strelkov warns on social media, 'in the coming month, I expect very serious events with completely unpredictable consequences. Have reasonably firm grounds for it. No further comment will be made'. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 08:17, 5 April 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Duels====<br />
Russia's National Guards (Rosguardia) director Zolotarev [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VZy8GyO4aI challenged] Navalnyi to a (physical-fistfight) duel, after some critical output by Navalnyi along his usual anti-corruption lines, to do with feeding soldiers here. Navalnyi response is pending; he is under administrative 30 days arrest, and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3N_xZ5nisg cannot], according to [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Соболь,_Любовь_Эдуардовна Lubov' Sobol], respond or even watch the video of the challenge. Strelkov criticized the move: in a physical duel Navalnyi stands no chance, in debates, the other way around; the Highest Approved Duel Code ([http://www.vokrugsveta.ru/article/259345/ Alexander III, 1894]) categorically banned duels between military and civilians (and duels were only for nobility). (uffff...) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:38, 11 September 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Dissidents (historic)====<br />
Anniversary of the demonstration, 'for our and your freedom!', of 8 adults +one child on 25 August 1968 in the Red Square, Moscow, against USSR invasion in Czechoslovakia after Prague Spring events. One of participants, Pavel Litvinov, and a son of another participant-Natalya Gorbanevskaya, Echo Moskvy, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eFtm7vkpPM video], [https://echo.msk.ru/programs/sut/2263156-echo/ text], 24 August, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:39, 25 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Right Wing===<br />
*BORN group. <br />
:[http://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/1695404.html Novia Gazeta, 24.7.15], [http://tass.ru/en/russia/810523 TASS-English] : Ilya Goryachev was given a life sentence in a colony with special regime. He was found guilty of forming an armed gang, the creation of an extremist community, illicit arms trafficking, as well as complicity in five murders: antifascists Fyodor Filatov and Ilya Japaridze, lawyer Stanislav Markelov (who was involved in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuri_Budanov Budanov murder case] blamed on Chechen extremists), migrant Salohiddin Azizov and a member of the gang "Black Hawks" Rasul Khalilov. Other members of the gang have been convicted: Nikita Tikhonov, Maxim Baklagina and Vyacheslav Isaev were also sentenced to life terms, Mikhail Volkov sentenced to 24 years of strict regime. <br />
:[http://www.rg.ru/sujet/3544/index.html Rossiiskaia Gazeta-Markelov murder investigation]<br />
:[http://top.rbc.ru/politics/15/05/2015/5555f33b9a79470fd07a7197 Igor Krasnov] was chief investigator. Subsequently the first investigator of Nemtsov murder; later promoted to the Head of 'a new structure of the Investigation Committee, which will include the best investigators'.<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 02:38, 26 July 2015 (UTC)<br />
*NOD (National Liberation movement)<br />
:Apparently, supported by Duma deputy [http://eafedorov.ru/ Evgenii Fedorov]. <br />
:Poster girl: Marina Katasonova: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=GduzJ8N6f-4&app=desktop rookie reporter-failed video]; [http://photocdn1.itar-tass.com/width/744_b12f2926/tass/m2/uploads/i/20151125/4136668.jpg at the Turkish Embassy];[https://twitter.com/KatasonovaMaria/status/669450779770626050 Navalnyi, interrupted] ; [http://rusvesna.su/news/1438402531 in a locker with Graham Phillips -Nemtsov sightseeing tour.]<br />
<br />
===Dugin===<br />
*Recent piece [http://fortruss.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/enantiodromia-in-russian-politics.html translated at Fort Rus]. Clearly bright and original, but this is an example of excessive theoretical superstructuring going pretty much nowhere and offering no solution. Do not see why is that differences between hawks and doves in Russia are intrinsically much more antagonistic than in the West. Nothing really preventing hawks and doves in Russia to work on a common goal, apart from some constructs in (his) philosophy. Do not think the West is the united land of liberalism, as he describes. People are the same everywhere, and all the issues have their parallels, East or West. Including what he (too briefly) describes under 'bureaucracy', which is of concern, in the new republics and in Russia proper (but not uniquely just over there...). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:29, 23 November 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==='Patriotic Opposition'===<br />
Mostly critical of the Russian involvement in Syria, as continued violence in Donbass and other real problems of Russia will not be solved there --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:20, 4 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Народно-патриотический_союз_России PDS NPSR] (Постоянно Действующее Совещание Национально-Патриотических Сил России-Permanent Conference of the National Patriotic Forces of Russia) (Yurii Boldyrev, Pavel Grudinin,...), allied with the communists in the latest presidential elections<br />
*Strelkov<br />
*...<br />
<br />
;Vladimir Kvachkov<br />
Retired GRU/spetsnaz colonel; charged with an attempt to assassinate Chubais (talked about right for liberation, etc in court; found not guilty); sentenced to a prison term for extremism, preparing armed mutiny; also known for his [https://ekishev-yuri.livejournal.com/310559.html appeal to patriotic officers corps], which calls for a revolution/taking to arms, and includes antisemitic passages (e.g. international globalists are presented as a 'Jewish criminal association', etc.). This appeal was sent for expert evaluation for extremism, but was not found to be extremist; while human rights orgs [http://pravorf.org/index.php/news/882-o-publikaczii-v-gazete-lkolokolr-gvolgograd-obrashheniya-vkvachkova-k-vserossijskomu-oficzerskomu-sobraniyu complained]. <br />
<br />
After Putin submitted a law partially decriminalizing [http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/Document/View/0001201812270078 article 282 of the criminal code] (which was used eg against those re-posting 'wrong' articles on social media, and was broadly unpopular), Kvachkov's lawyers successfully used it to get him [https://govoritmoskva.ru/news/188067/ released from prison early]. <br />
<br />
He would be a notorious /outcast character in the West; but he is popular in patriotic opposition circles. PDS NPSR program had an article calling for his release from prison. <br />
<br />
It is unclear whether there is more to it in Kvachkov's release (why him and now, etc). He may become one of PDS NPSR leaders, making them pretty unacceptable internationally; wonder whether this is the intent, or an accident ? --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:42, 8 February 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Strelkov===<br />
Briefly, compares/sees parallels of developments in present day Russia with those leading to World War I. Critical of at least some parts of the current political establishment in Russia; expresses serious concern, and proposes World War II type steps as a fix... Critical of Russia opening a 'second front' in Syria, while problems in Donbas remain--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:28, 27 November 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
28 March, 2016, right after Kerry visit to Moscow, Strelkov reads on [https://lenta.ru/news/2016/03/28/peskov_atack/ lenta.ru] an article with Peskov discussing planned personal media attack on the Russian president. He than relates the famous, nearly-untranslatable piece from novel 'It's difficult to be Gods', by Russian sci-fi authors, brothers Strugatskii, ----the one about Don Reba meeting His Excellency Vaga, all observed by Don Rumata...(with a punchline, 'they did not agree') --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:33, 3 April 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_qmC53-OAI Interview] to a lady coordinator from the so called 'National Liberation Movement (NOD)', made two days prior to elections. On a long side; entering some bits. Strelkov received education at a history and archive work institute, and he takes the view that Russian history is continuous and consistent, from some 6 century C.E. to present day. Main goal of his [http://novorossia.pro/ "Novorossia" movement] is to make sure some historic line is continued, and not become extinct like [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire Byzantine Empire], remaining of relevance for only some dozen of experts. (He fears that current developments are leading towards collapse or Latin American scenarios; accepts there may be good present day developments yet considers only the Russian language as an undamaged heritage). Priorities, top to bottom, are people, nation, state. There are considerable differences in his movement on a particular model of state to admire, with unifying theme of the people/nation (noted: this may be from vague all the way to very controversial notion in a multi-ethnic multi-religion country; exact details are not very clear but policy [http://novorossia.pro/news/odnovorossia/393-manifest-obschestvennogo-dvizheniya-novorossiya-igorya-strelkova.html documents] talk about "Russian World" and that the majority are followers of the Russian Orthodox Church; 'historic union with other major religious confessions' is acknowledged). He also recalls [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%97%D0%B5%D0%BC%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80 Zemskii Sobor] (approx. "Land/grass-root assembly") structure in Tsarist Russia, in existence until mid-17 century, as an alternative to Western-style democracy. In Zemskii Sobor, representatives from different society classes were sent, and as a result, it was not a Western 1 person=1 vote. To illustrate, he makes a point that e.g. voices of academics should be higher than bums from across his street, etc. (Interviewer asks, like Trade Unions?-Yes.). He does not support or plans to take part in present elections, believing it's a show run from the top; in particular links sudden rise of [[Russian_non-system_opposition#Maltsev|Maltsev]] with Kremlin internal policy chief Voloshin. "It is like in the Soviet days with one CPSU party, just now split into several factions", "whoever you choose, you vote for Putin", etc. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:03, 18 September 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
In a rare occasion, Russian prime time TV show talked about Strelkov, to attack him, on Vladimir Soloviev program, with guests [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Kurginyan Sergey Kurginyan] and Alexander Kofman (wiki [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Igorewitsch_Kofman Ger.] [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%BD,_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D1%80_%D0%98%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87 Russ] ). Kurginyan accused him of running away from Slavyansk; Kofman, essentially of causing the war with Ukraine. Strelkov, on insistence of a media personality friend, recorded a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjxNUEVufJ4 video response], telling that Kiev would have started a war (Donbass or Crimea) anyway; and that Slavyansk did not have military significance, while saving the major portion of fight-capable opolchenie from death in cauldron did. He also reminded that other places (Mariupol, border with Russia, etc) were given to Ukraine by others, not him; and that Zakharchenko and Khodakovskiy battalions were not in real fight or unsuccessful prior to his escape from Slavyansk and arrival to Donetsk. He attributed sudden appearance of the topic on prime time TV to failures of the leadership (Surkov), and what he described as failure of Minsk agreements (and, according to him, unavoidable return to major fighting). Because of those failures, somebody had to be found to blame. (As a side angry comment, the issue of all 3 critics 'being of a particular nationality', = Jewish, came up as well, followed by a play-down). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:42, 4 March 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
17 June 2018. Long post of Strelkov on social media on his family tree. This may aim to show that he is not Jewish (as suggested by some, from, in an approving manner, by Kolomoisky to Strelkov's critics on the nationalistic side). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 20:23, 19 June 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Strelkov-Navalnyi debate====<br />
*Live streams: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ckR1IvNeQI Roy TV]; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjbQdbJUibc Navalnyi-Live], [https://vk.com/tvrain?w=wall-17568841_4884871 Dozhd'-VK]<br />
* [http://navalny.feldman.photo/events/46/photo/527/ Backroom photos] (Feldman).<br />
<br />
Strelkov issues a debate challenge to Navalnyi. Issues raised in the challenge: oligarchy (in the context of anti-corruption drive); Western partners relations; fate of Donbass and Crimea; Navalnyi's questions and format choice encouraged -[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhJttthlPDw Roy TV] , youtube, 5 July, 2017--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 20:48, 8 July 2017 (UTC) <br />
*The challenge was accepted by Navalnyi ('I always support open discussions and debates'). Strelkov: according to the latest info, the debate will be held on July 20 on Thursday evening. Specific time will be determined later. The site and the host are selected by the called party (Navalnyi)- they are not yet determined. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:50, 16 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcpZeOmhfqM Navalnyi's] own 3 debate questions: why Strelkov ever supported Putin and the government; why he repeats thesis that the West is the main threat; who shot down the Boeing (Strelkov provided several times nearly identical answers blaming Ukraine for not closing the airspace).<br />
:My 2pence on Navalnyi questions: (1) For a military person, unlike a politician, not supporting the president and commander-in chief is not an option--but a retired military like Strelkov has a choice; (2) is fairly obvious, and mutual,-- isn't the West considering Russia a threat, in real geopolitical terms, too? An answer made unforgettable in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fau5O9SsUWI 1990 in Zinoviev-Yeltsin debate] may still apply here--with the USSR replaced by Russia: ''what do you think, the goal of the West is for (Russians) to have a wonderful life, be well fed and so on? Nothing can be further from truth! The goal of the West is to cause (Russia) to fall apart!'' (3) he gave his answer, see above. Can't help but notice that Navalnyi gives better performance presentation style-wise, good gesticulation, voice modulation, well-paced, staying positive, hammering his points, flattery to doubters, etc... (clean pronunciation, better hair, lean bodywork, etc...) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 04:57, 19 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
*Strelkov not OK with proposed by Navalnyi debate format, with several 3 min long statements on topics and 30 sec questions. 'This is a format of a talk show, not a debate. It allows somebody with well-trained tongue to pronounce few learned beautiful words, and receive back equally demagogic response. We will insist for longer debate format.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:04, 19 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
*Several videocameras were planned, however Navalnyi insisted on the only video feed provided by his crew @ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgxTPTFbIbCWfTR9I2-5SeQ Navalnyi-live] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:53, 20 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Strelkov Boeing answer: 'opolchenie did not shoot down the Boeing, for the lack of means to shoot it down. All air defense weapons which I had in my disposal included five MANPADs Igla and one Strela-10, which at the time of Boeing shoot down was in Zugres and protecting Zugres. Therefore, oplochenie under my command could not shoot down the Boeing, as in the phrase of 'no way'. I cannot and will not provide other comments, for one simple reason that I did not take part in the investigation, and not even interested in it in principle. ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjbQdbJUibc -29 m in this stream as seen now])--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:40, 20 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
:Mixed feeling from the debate overall, may post more later, basically little move from known in advance positions; one not 100% expected is that Strelkov prefers Putin to Navalnyi for the sake of Crimea and Donbass. Navalnyi essentially saying that (if) he is president he will have to solve real problems and the state of affair is such that there is no money for war. He would follow normal Western route, elections, courts, to fight corruption which takes a significant part of overall budget, etc. Navalnyi will follow Minsk to give border control to Ukraine; Strelkov considers current Ukrainian regime a sort of 'nazi-light', hopes for eventual unificiation of separated Rus' branches; argues that fate of Donbass is linked to that of Crimea, following his usual lines expressed in interviews elsewhere. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:40, 20 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Strelkov-Constantin Semin debate====<br />
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFfIf8oP8vk Дискуссия: Константин Сёмин - Игорь Стрелков] -''youtube'', November 13, 2018, 2 h11 min, debate questions provided in the video description.<br />
*:[https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Сёмин,_Константин_Викторович Constantin Semin] (DOB 1980) is a journalist with (quite rigidly set) communist views. The core disagreement in this debate is Strelkov advocating union of all reasonable pro-Russia forces to overcome (hypothetical, but in his view inevitable, sharp future crisis), followed by mixed economic model subsequently (strong state involvement in large industries, + private small to medium businesses). Semin stiffly maintains throughout that 'capitalists' by their core nature cannot be relied upon, and that with them involved all the hardship will fall onto 'workers'/commoners, and that Strelkov model has 'failed' in a number of historic precedents ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavr_Kornilov Kornilov], Chiang Kai-shek, Mussolini, Pinochet). This youtube channel patrons mostly side with Semin, who provides a rather sharp version of this overall line. Strelkov, apart from his usual stuff, adds that for him people are above state, while in the USSR it was places the other way around, draining people; and that strict economic equality was possibly justified in extreme circumstances during wars but later resulted in demotivating significant number of people, leading to disbelief and eventually bringing it down. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 06:10, 16 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====writings ====<br />
;At a turning point<br />
"4 years after mega-stupidity committed by the Kremlin rulers, we are at a turning point, after which there is capitulation or war. Our 'dear Western partners' have chased Putin and his gnomes to a point after which it is no longer possible to postpone final decisions. The choise must be made ("или - или"): to give up, or to fight seriously, and not just talk. Including by military means (...)<br />
<br />
All vectors I talked about a year ago approached a point of no return, And a decision should be made as soon as possible. <br />
Troubles are unavoidable, and that became to be the case 2 years ago. But it can still follow different scenarios. <br />
And if no decision is made, the events will roll by themselves, just rolling over those who tried not to notice and ignore them" (Igor Strelkov, 25 May 2018, on social media).<br />
: + [https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2018/05/25/americas-fifth-column-will-destroy-russia/ Paul Craig Roberts], 25 May, 2018: a match. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 03:10, 26 May 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Kuril Islands===<br />
Strelkov has been doing single man picketing in Moscow, opposite to FM building, with a banner which said: "return of South Kuril islands is a state treason" (Сдача Южных Курил -Госизмена!). Picketing now ended. By law, others were not allowed to come close, for not to break single picketing regulations, but there was a support group at allowed distance. Support group documented the picketing, in particular. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:48, 25 December 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Strelkov and allies calls for a protest meeting on 19/20 January, prior to PM of Japan visit. Chubais and Navalnyi, on the opposite side of the political spectrum, [https://regnum.ru/news/polit/2548869.html express opposition] too. News reports quoting Japanese officials create an impression that an agreement on southern Kuril islands , based on 1956 memorandum, is in final stages. However, as Strelkov pointed out, 1956 memorandum was aimed to result in demilitarized Japan outside of US influence and bases; that expectation subsequently failed, and clearly not in place today. It is believed that the agreement is largely driven by Putin who had such plans from 2001. Japan initial negotiating position was the return of all Kuril islands. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:48, 9 January 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Committee of 25 of January===<br />
*[http://m-kalashnikov.livejournal.com/2569427.html 'Committee of 25 of January' is created]. Strelkov, El Murid, E.Prosvirnin ("Satellite and pogrom" -(wth?)) K.Krylov, A.Kungurov, Eduard Limonov, M.Kalashnikov, and others. Positions itself as a third force to save the country, when the crash occurs. Warns about danger of a big two-front war.<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:28, 12 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Criminal Cases against activists and bloggers===<br />
*[http://narodtv.com/blogs/1 Aleksey Kungurov], charged under Russian criminal code article 205.2-1, 'supporting terrorism' , after blog posts vigorously criticizing Russian involvement in Syria. Some "experts" used by the court concluded that blog posts are supportive of IS, which is banned in Russia, so, by that logic, anything about it outside the official line may be called supporting terrorism. The blog posts were strongly critical, but not supporting terrorism, in the common sense of what 'supporting' will look like. Do not know much about Kungurov apart from him being a 'Committee of 25 of January' member; a blogger/activist from Tyumen. <br />
<br />
*[http://m-kalashnikov.livejournal.com/2908298.html 'Mukhin group'] , Alexandr Sokolov, Vladimir Parfenov, Yurii Mukhin. The first two are in preliminary detention; Mukhin is [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYQOc16yEzg possibly released] under house arrest. From what is known, this is a group of activists trying to have a referendum on a law 'On responsibility of highest authorities'. This group was called extremist, and charged under article 282.2 of the criminal code. Yurii Mukhin appears to have some background of engineering or industrial sort, then turning to journalism. His former public statements (around 2011-2014) were not crazy and had some logical basis, but were controversial. Truing to look up info, I found him [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3vfILuajfU discussing NASA moon landing] (not unreasonable criticism of photo visuals, but also making a further step and concluding that this was definitely fake. That would be going too far for my taste; but not a criminal offense, I gather. On another video, he was doing [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkU39HlPtco 9/11 presentation], in a similar mode: after raising not unreasonable questions, going for a definite conclusion that it was staged). That would be among the strangest cases if the Western human rights orgs will pick up on this; do not know that they did, but possibly. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:43, 29 December 2016 (UTC)<br />
*Kirill Barabash is also in the referendum activist group, but his case may be different. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jkS_xIpRPI Here] is his attorney presenting his case, in Russian.<br />
--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:06, 29 December 2016 (UTC)<br />
*[https://lenta.ru/articles/2017/08/10/sokol/ Активный гражданин За что осудили журналиста РБК Александра Соколова] -lenta.ru, 10 Aug. 2017 <br />
*:Sentenced for extremism. <br />
*:lenta: '' "В диссертации журналиста РБК говорится об огромном перерасходе бюджетных средств при подготовке к Олимпиаде в Сочи, об использовании офшорных схем в «Роснано» и так далее. «Работа получила большой резонанс. На нее Немцов ссылался и другие», — отметил Соколов" '' <br />
*:Boldyrev [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id3xNSCqzwc&t=9m41s interview], 29 Dec. 2017 (a similar statement, Sokolov is on the CP & nats-patriotic forces [https://pdsnpsr.ru/news/novosti-pds-npsr/informacionnoe-soobshhenie_16112017 team list])<br />
--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 04:58, 30 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Reaction to new weapons announcements, Feb. 2018=== <br />
Both pro-Western and patriotic opposition reaction to weapons announcements in Putin's address was negative. It is feared that it will have the opposite to the desired effect. Desired effect is causing serious negotiations resolving vital Russian concerns and arms control matters. Effect feared is further discord (isolation, sanctions, other cold war elements), and triggering expensive arms race, with little economic or political benefit. While supporters say that unreasonable Western policies is what brought things to the present sore state of affairs, with softer methods tried by Russia but not working and ignored, forcing the hand here. (Also, obviously, this is a speech shortly before the elections and attempting to portray things in a strong positive manner, aimed at broad domestic consumption). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:40, 4 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Para-military NGO===<br />
*[https://dailystorm.ru/obschestvo/fsb-nachala-zaderzhivat-uchastnikov-chvk-e-n-o-t ФСБ начала задерживать участников ЧВК E.N.O.T.] -FSB began to detain members of the PMC E.N.O.T. (енот (enot)= racoon)- ''Daily Storm'', November 9, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:23, 12 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Sanctions==<br />
...seems to be no end in sight... <br />
:[http://ria.ru/world/20160201/1368508811.html US adds 5 people to Magnitskii list], -investigators linked to his case, Feb 1, 2016. <br />
::[http://bigstory.ap.org/article/00a2f5f0badc4223aac5102695e3c8bc/russia-bars-5-americans-entry-tit-tat-response Russia bars 5 Americans from entry in tit-for-tat response]<br />
<br />
June 16, 2016. Sarkozy, at a press conference at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, calls for lifting of sanctions, changing negative dynamics, -as well as common space founded by European Union, Russia, and Turkey (TV Rain; [http://tass.ru/en/world/882190 TASS]; [https://www.rt.com/news/346879-putin-sarkozy-economic-forum-spief/ RT]). Presumably, Russia is to make the first step and hope for the best according to his follow-up answers.<br />
<br />
June 18, 2016. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Ivanov Sergei Ivanov] (Chief of the Presidential Administration of Russia) [http://ria.ru/economy/20160618/1449128306.html prefers] for sanctions to lasts long as possible since '2/3 of budget income, not oil and gas but other sectors such as chemical industry, experience rapid growth, up to 30-35 % per year', as a result. Article continues to say that counter-sanctions are to be lifted at once if the Western sanctions are lifted.<br />
<br />
[http://prod-upp-image-read.ft.com/40911a30-057c-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5 CAATSA list of senior political leaders and oligarchs] (unclassified part), US Department of the Treasury, 29 January 2018<br />
*Includes top political leadership and (some?) oligarchs worth over 1 bln USD (compare with Russians on [https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/list/3/#version:static_search:Russia Forbes list])<br />
*Asterisk marks those already sanctioned<br />
*[https://echo.msk.ru/programs/razvorot-morning/2138640-echo/ Venedictov] of Echo Mosckvy believes that the unpublished secret part includes names nominated for sanctions (unclear why he thinks so)<br />
*No journalism bigwigs on the list (unlike European sanctions which [https://europeansanctions.com/2017/06/19/eu-court-rejects-free-speech-challenge-by-kiselev-to-russia-designation/ include] e.g. Kiselev)<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:23, 30 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.ft.com/content/5ab46b72-05e2-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5 US Treasury secretary Mnuchin signals new sanctions on Russia] -''Financial Times'', 30 January, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:06, 30 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
:''In a hearing before the Senate banking committee, Mr Mnuchin said it was only a matter of time before the US imposed new sanctions on Russia, indicating that a classified annex to the report could serve as a road map for those new measures.<br />
<br />
Latest US sanctions are a major hit on Deripaska business empire (aluminum (Rusal), auto business), and on Vekselberg too. US investors are told to sell their holdings, + implications for exports to the West, with damages in billions USD. Rusal shares are 50 % [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DaU2qJxX0AAay_k.jpg:large down] on the next business day, Moscow [http://stocks.investfunds.ru/indicators/view/216/ exchange index] is 10 % down. Like them or not, those are major oligarchs controlling quite notable chunk of the overall economy, and affecting lots of small people (like taking out several major systemic Western corporations, for comparison). After announcement, there was immediate talk on serious response (but economic options are limited , in a considerably smaller and less diversified economy). Response talk is presently overtaken by the chemical and T4 attack in Syria and its possible implications of those.<br />
Oligarchs losses, as of today, [http://tass.ru/ekonomika/5108309 estimated] at some 12 bln USD, Yandex, 10.7 % down at NASDAQ. top of the list [https://infogram.com/_/HOPb0vYmal9gV3BOAX3w here] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:27, 9 April 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://reuters.com/article/uk-usa-russia-sanctions-renova/u-s-sanctions-on-vekselberg-have-1-5-2-billion-assets-frozen-sources-idUKKBN1HS0FD U.S. sanctions on Vekselberg have $1.5-$2 billion assets frozen: sources] -''Reuters, 21 April, 2018<br />
:''Assets totaling between $1.5 billion and $2 billion have been frozen as a result of sanctions imposed on Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg and his Renova Group conglomerate, two sources close to the matter told Reuters<br />
<br />
Russian draft response to sanctions law [http://tass.ru/ekonomika/5146405 calls] to allow parallel imports, which means that imports may be not tightly linked with US trade mark owners; details are vague, and discuss some below market payments to trademark owners. That may affect eg pharmaceutical products (sold cheaper than US brands, and similar approach to other products). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:38, 21 April 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.crunchbase.com/person/viktor-vekselberg#section-overview Vekselberg] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Vekselberg Wikipedia])<br />
*[http://cyprusbusinessmail.com/?p=64457 Vekselberg BOC stake subject of intra-bank transaction (Corrected)] -''Cyprus business mail'', 30 may, 2018<br />
*[https://www.watson.ch/wirtschaft/schweiz/405622282-gesperrte-konten-jetzt-will-oligarch-viktor-vekselberg-schweizer-banken-verklagen Locked accounts - now oligarch Viktor Vekselberg wants to sue Swiss banks] -''Watson'', 26 May, 2018 <br />
*:Two billion francs of private assets of the Russian billionaire are blocked in Switzerland. Now he wants to take legal action. <br />
*[http://www.forbes.ru/milliardery/362491-v-shveycarii-zablokirovali-1-mlrd-frankov-viktora-vekselberga Forbes.ru], 4 June, 2018<br />
*:Forbes source in 'Renova': around 1 bln Swiss franks 'are at stake'.<br />
<br />
--[[User:Resup|Resup]]([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 02:36, 5 June 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Elections==<br />
===Duma Elections, 2016===<br />
[[File:United_Russia_congress.jpg|thumb|Ruling "United Russia" pre-election congress is opened by its chairman, Dmitry Medvedev, [http://tass.ru/politika/2430548 TASS], 5 Feb. 2016]]<br />
<br />
*"United Russia" pre-election congress is opened by its chairman, Dmitry Medvedev- [http://tass.ru/politika/2430548 TASS], 5 Feb. 2016.<br />
<br />
At present, 10 parties have their registration to stand in elections officially [https://rg.ru/2016/08/03/do-vyborov-v-gosdumu-dopushcheno-uzhe-10-partij.html approved]. According to the latest opinion poll, the ruling party "United Russia" is leading, with 57% of committed voters /39 % of all voters. PARNAS (of late Nemtsov) is approved to stand in elections; however based on latest poll [http://www.levada.ru/2016/08/02/predstoyashhie-vybory-v-gosdumu/ results] , only 1.3 % are "definitely" [https://parnasparty.ru/news/279 voting] for their candidates, while another 5.7 are "possibly" voting. A party gets seats if it receives more than 5% of the vote.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:19, 5 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
19 Sept., 2016. [https://yandex.ru/search/?text=%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B5%20%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B7%D1%83%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8B%20%D0%B2%D1%8B%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%20%D0%B2%20%D0%93%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%B4%D1%83%D0%BC%D1%83%20%D0%A0%D0%A4%202016&lr=104981 Preliminary results, 99% counted]<br />
:Ruling United Russia received 54% of vote, and 76% of Duma seats, vastly dominating in single-mandate districts. 4 mainstream parties are above 5% threshold on party lists districts; no opposition party is over this threshold, moreover even the best among them are below 3% required to qualify for federal funding. All opposition altogether will have only 2 seats, gained in single-mandate districts. (One more self-nominating candidate is said to be of United Russia). PARNAS is getting 0.7 % of the vote. 47.8% of eligible voters actually voted. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 17:21, 19 September 2016 (UTC)<br />
:...and Kadyrov is getting 98% of the vote in Chechnya. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 17:21, 19 September 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Presidential Elections, 2018===<br />
Election day, March 18, 2018. <br />
<br />
[https://ria.ru/election2018/20180318/1516684346.html According] to both exit polls and [http://tass.ru/politika/5043019 preliminary results] (with 45% counted) Putin is winning the presidency after the first round of voting, gaining 74.7% of the vote. Grudinin is a distant second, with 13.7 % of the vote, below his backer CPRF result in the previous elections. Sobchak is doing better than expected with over 1.4%. Baburin (endorsed by Strelkov some weeks ago), 0.6%. <br />
<br />
Polls: [https://wciom.ru/news/ratings/vybory_2018/ VTSIOM ](official); [https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3938847.html Cassad](unofficial). [http://www.levada.ru/ Levada] center not publishing results due to 'foreign agent' status. Grudinin (presumed second runner) needs to make it to the second tour ([https://ria.ru/spravka/20111125/497575502.html ie] Putin below 50 % of those who cast the vote in the first round) to have a chance. There is no low participation threshold for elections to be valid. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:16, 18 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*'''Putin is running for President''' -[http://tass.ru/politika/4789730 TASS] (after hinting [http://tass.ru/politika/4789128 earlier])--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:51, 6 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxaRRbbHnbc Medvedev]: [https://ria.ru/politics/20171130/1509922217.html not me] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:15, 30 November 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:Earlier: <br />
:*Peskov: Putin has not decided yet whether he will run for President in 2018- [http://tass.ru/politika/2624313 TASS]. Too early for such a decision.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:38, 29 January 2016 (UTC)<br />
:*According to Peskov, it is yet undecided whether Putin or somebody else (e.g. Medvedev) will run, as it is too early to tell--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:31, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[[Russian_non-system_opposition#Alexey_Navalnyi|<s>Navalnyi</s>]] effectively [http://www.newsweek.com/russia-bans-putin-critic-navalny-election-president-593687 banned] from running. Election committee chairman [http://tass.ru/politika/4337084 Ella Pamfilova]: by law, because of his criminal conviction he cannot be registered (unless there is some miracle and he manages to appeal the court decision). Navalnyi himself still behaves as a contender, issues a program, has internet media appearances, etc; [https://navalny.com/p/5552/ claims] that European human rights court decision was not fulfilled and so his reinstated conviction is not legal. --Still, the state of play is as Pamfilova says. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:02, 15 December 2017 (UTC) <br />
*:Navalnyi and Panfilova seen in a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6Z6fSEErDk live video feed] of election committee considering whether to register him as a candidate. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:05, 25 December 2017 (UTC) His registration was denied by election committee, the debate/questions and answers, and committee voting is on video. <small>(Time shown on a clock above the committee was consistent with the feed being live . At the same time, I saw some sources reporting that his registration was denied already. That may have to do with resolution to deny was introduced, but it was then discussed and voted on, as seen on video).</small> --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:44, 25 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
* '''Unified candidate of the communists and 'patriotic opposition' '''.<br />
**23 Dec. 2017. Pavel Grudinin became the nominee, with Zyuganov his election HQ chief. Here is press conference [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SRCSSX37Ag video], with Boldyrev, Zyuganov, Grudinin. Boldyrev talk at the plenum [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1i3VrPtvc8&t=3h01m27s here], about common platform of diverse forces. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 08:18, 25 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
**Left forces candidate, Pavel Grudinin, is a fairy-tale-success agricultural director of ex-Soviet sovkhoz named after Lenin. His sovkhoz is profitable and he uses moneys to build high rise housing for workers, kindergarten, playground popular Moscow-region wide, a futuristic high school built using models from Finland, UK, and their own; visited by gov official, who ordered the school planing to be copied midway through his visit. Videos [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGn4NvgoeDk 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tt0ZkWeLq8 2]. Communist leader Zyuganov apparently supported Grudinin as a joint candidate of left, patriotic, and communist forces, but their is no decision yet, decision will be taken at CP plenum on Saturday, 23 December. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:07, 22 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
**May, 2017. Gennady Zyuganov, long time communist leader, <s> [http://www.mk.ru/politics/2017/05/04/zyuganov-ne-isklyuchil-chto-budet-ballotirovatsya-v-prezidenty-rossii.html may run again]. Announcement is significant since </s> Yuri Boldyrev was [http://yuriboldyrev.ru/news/video0316/ hoping] to have a unified candidate --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:17, 5 May 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[http://www.mk.ru/politics/2017/05/04/zhirinovskiy-putin-mozhet-ne-poyti-na-prezidentskie-vybory2018.html Zhirinovskii] will run for the 6th time, offers a sly inside that Putin may not run and name a successor -'being decided by 10 people but no decision yet'.<br />
:Entertainer-in-chief has lots of prime TV time courtesy of Vladimir Soloviev et al; here losing a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMRx9Ur10WI TV debate battle] to a geophysicist-turned-to-drama-theater politologist Sergey [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8F%D0%BD,_%D0%A1%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B5%D0%B9_%D0%95%D1%80%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87 Kurginian] ( = Nationalsozialismus vs drama-enhanced soft power).<br />
<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:16, 5 May 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
*Ksenia Sobchak announces plans to run for president, and positions herself as 'a candidate against all' ('against all'- an option on old election ballots, subsequently removed) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=he68RC4f24k video], October 18, 2017<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yw5tn5RAJc Comments by]: Vladimir Putin (politically correct), Vladimir Zhirinovsky (negative), Alexey Navalnyi (strongly negative, both for political disagreement --she is said to advocate paid education and health care, raising retirement age, and, maybe his main real reason, --for being the 'elections spoiler') ; + a businessman Evgenii Chichvarkin ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=OrFdl8oV73s politically incorrect]) . --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:26, 20 October 2017 (UTC)<br />
:Off to a bad start, all but eliminating chances (if there were any to begin with). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdNcfW4BCiA Answering on Crimea], question, "according to international law, Crimea is Ukrainian. Anything else, let's discuss it'. The answer was heavily criticized, contrasted with Anatoly Sobchak much sober and nuanced [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heXNOGW5IH4 answer]. She keeps behaving as in show-biz, throwing out controversial assertions, like more NATO and sanctions please, without any reverence to her supposed subjects standing on this, which may be at some 80% against; just running with her different views, she does not even attempt to convince others to change theirs,-- an affront but not a leadership. That may raise her show-womanship ratings but is not something you do to get elected. At the same time, lots of her earlier, Paris Hilton-style naughty video episodes became abundant--not something likely to be viewed positively for a real presidential candidate in Russia. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 03:51, 26 October 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Ksenia Sobchak walks in Grozny, Chechnya. Some local men are telling her that they are not happy to see her coming ('coffee is not good for horses' comment made, etc)- ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCKvoLuJPOU video]). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:44, 29 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[https://2018.yavlinsky.ru/sign/ Yavlinsky] (Yabloko) is running, as usual. Pro-Western type, and in practice centered around Yavlinsky in person (whose last name is rooted in ''appearance'', like in Appearance of the Christ to the People). Attempts of other pro-Western liberal parties to have a coalition with Yabloko so far all failed, as Yavlinsky wants to run for president all by himself, so far getting somewhere in the few percents of the vote scale, just marginally better than his potential pro-Western allies--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:25, 15 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*'National Patriotic forces of Russia' jointly with 'People's Leaders' (Strelkov among those) [http://pdsnpsr.ru/news/novosti-pds-npsr/informacionnoe-soobshhenie_16112017 announced] 5 candidates, and expressed some hope of having a joint candidate with communists ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Kvachkov Kvachkov] among the 5 is a mistake, as some of them themselves admit). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:44, 17 November 2017 (UTC)<br />
*:(Grudinin, above): Not in opposition enough for Strelkov, who suspended his membership in People's Leaders till full clarification of Grudinin & co standing, complaining that Boldyrev and Grudinin talks at the CP plenum were not discussed with him and that he does not share stated positions. Believes that his decision would not be too much of a loss to the People's Leaders. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:13, 25 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Regional===<br />
====Chechnya Elections====<br />
Kadyrov term is [http://chechnya.gov.ru/page.php?r=126&id=17542 set to expire] in April, 2016. New elections will be held on the [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%95%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9_%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%8C_%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8F_18_%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82%D1%8F%D0%B1%D1%80%D1%8F_2016_%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B0 national election day], 18 Sept. 2016. In the meantime, it is believed that Kadyrov will be appointed acting head, but that was called too early to discuss by Peskov. Kadyrov stated that future Chechnya leadership is up to the President of Russia to decide first. <br />
:It is said in the news that the leader of Chechnya will be again called Chechnya president, back from the current head of Chechnya; head of Chechnya is the term used in the current constitution of 2003.<br />
<br />
Mixed message from Kadyrov so far, [http://rusnovosti.ru/posts/409863 ready to serve] if ordered to do so, but time may be up and [http://ria.ru/politics/20160227/1381183464.html another person needed], saying that 'my time has passed. There are so many successors in the team, there are very good specialists'. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:46, 27 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Putin appointed Kadyrov acting head of Chechnya, till elections in September 2016, expressing hope that Kadyrov will participate in those elections and that voters in Checnya will appreciate what he has done for the Checnya republic -[http://tass.ru/politika/3121489 TASS]--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:16, 25 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
:[http://echo.msk.ru/news/1736170-echo.html Echo Moskvy] copies, not providing an immediate comment ...<br />
<br />
====Tula region====<br />
[https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%94%D1%8E%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BD,_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B9_%D0%93%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B4%D1%8C%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87 Alexey Diumin] (Hero of Russia, leutenant-general, said to organize Yanukovich extraction and Crimea operation-[http://fakty.ua/212351-byvshij-oficer-gru-aleksej-dyumin-otricaet-svoe-uchastie-v-organizacii-pobega-v-rossiyu-viktora-yanukovicha which he denies]) was appointed acting governor of Tula region. Some [http://mirnov.ru/rubriki-novostey/politika/aleksei-dyumin-novyi-preemnik-putina.html speculated] that he may be groomed for a future leadership role ([http://www.svoboda.org/content/transcript/27532460.html also rfe/rl]).<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:31, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Local Elections===<br />
*Early election in a small, elitist village of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barvikha Barvikha], in Moscow region, was cancelled after a protest by Alexey Navalnyi anti-corruption foundation candidates. They complained ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvbVC1cLusI video] ) that there was an unusually high volume of outsiders casting early vote, about 1/4 of total expected number of voters a few days prior to the voting itself (just 189 such early votes were cast, but the number of voters is small as well). It was said that absentees votes were cast by migrants, multiply registered at the same addresses shortly before the vote. New Russia's elections committee head [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ella_Pamfilova Ella Pamfilova], formerly Russia's Commissioner for Human Rights, was sharply criticized by Navalnyi and opposition for her handling of election complaints; but eventually she sided with the opposition in cancelling early election. New election will be scheduled in about half a year time.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:47, 20 April 2016 (UTC)<br />
*Alexey Navalnyi, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjmLR5TzLDA 'why the hell we need such elections?'] - ''youtube'', 19 July, 2017 (with English subs, multimedia-enhanced). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:01, 20 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Sci-Tech ==<br />
(Occasional rare entries only)<br />
<br />
Proton launch, Mars mission, Russia -EU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdRlu-PYNJA live] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqJ9d-YMNVo recording] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:02, 14 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Soiuz 2.1a rocket [http://tass.ru/kosmos/3240883 launched] satellites from a new space launch site "Vostochnyi" , just build recently despite difficult economic conditions, and located in Russia, as opposed to Baikonur, located in Kazakhstan. (Launch was delayed by a day; Putin stayed) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:03, 28 April 2016 (UTC)<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucDPhvnfbbI Video 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilQ7Ui4vljM video 2.]<br />
<br />
==In the news ==<br />
Lesin: <br />
:(1) [http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/10/mikhail-lesin-blunt-force-trauma-death-washington-dc-vladimir-putin died of blunt blow to the head] :(2) according to a friend had previous serious spine injury and many follow-up surgeries as a result; and is said to have a drinking bout on the eve of his death- [http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2935611 Kommersant.ru] <br />
:(3) also, according to [http://lenta.ru/news/2016/03/12/lesinpassport/ lenta.ru] and Navalnyi, border control records appear to show that somebody used Lesin passport to leave USA 40 days after his reported death (as there is departure entry on December 15, 2015, while the death occurred on November 5, 2015).<br />
::However, it was [http://www.newsru.com/world/13mar2016/lessin.html explained] that the departure record was made by the authorities to close non-immigrant visa (said to be a standard practice), and does not mean physical departure<br />
: --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:31, 12 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
30.3.2016 IS claimed [http://ria.ru/incidents/20160330/1399776987.html responsibility] for IED explosion in Dagestan, Russia. Two Russian MOI trucks were hit, one policeman was killed, two were wounded.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:44, 30 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
===FlyDubai crash.=== <br />
[[Talk:FlyDubai_Crash|moved]]<br />
<br />
===Media===<br />
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37677020 Russia Today: NatWest 'freezes bank accounts' in UK]-BBC, October 17, 2016<br />
:''Margarita Simonyan tweeted: "They've closed our accounts in Britain. All our accounts. 'The decision is not subject to review.' Praise be to freedom of speech!"<br />
*[https://www.rt.com/news/363013-rt-uk-accounts-blocked/ RT bank accounts blocked in UK – editor-in-chief]-RT, October 17, 2016<br />
:''Our accounts in Britain have been blocked. All of them. ‘Decision not to be discussed’. Hail to freedom of speech!” RT's editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan said on her Twitter account.<br />
<br />
:What? Mutiny on that ship? OK, they will close their bank account in that one particular bank group (they posted it) in 2 months from now, and return the money by check if alternative banking is not found. So good for them, means they got some money, and are not about to loose them as a result of whatever is going on here. (What's 'freedom of speech'?)--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:52, 17 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Journalists===<br />
Vladimir Vladimirovich Pozner, of [http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/shows/pozner-donahue Donahue-Pozner] fame, has a largely independent 1-on-1 talk [http://pozneronline.ru/ show] on the main TV Channel 1. <br />
*Here on 24 March 2010 he interviews Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, during her visit to Moscow to see Pres. Medvedev. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8PZTd1Nsms Part 2 of 5 video] starts with her answering viewer question on comparing media in USA and Russia. <br />
*(2015) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j6MH42ebr0 Interviews] mainstream conservative (aka 'reactionary') Russian MP [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irina_Yarovaya Irina Yarovaya], a prosecutor by background, and an author of several controversial laws seen as limiting civil liberties and public discourse ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarovaya_Law wiki]). In the interview, she goes on offensive, denies information of Pozner sources and denies and clarifies wiki account of her election history (she was in the top 3 on United Russia party list in Kamchatka, but only her out of those 3 ended up becoming MP; the top of the list was the governor of Kamchatka). They go on to discuss defamation law, with Yarovaya attacking Pozner for statements made in his book (and outside of Pozner line of questioning), essentially claiming that those are russophobic. Pozner points out that Yarovaya in one of her statements blamed political opponents for being akin to terrorists and funded from the same source; Yarovaya counters that her statements is an opinion, not defamation, while those of Pozner are disrespectful of Russia and Russian Christianity (implying that those are unacceptable). Interviews turns nasty at this point, with Yarovaya raising the issue of Pozner having foreign citizenships, and not an ethnic Russian (Pozner is Jewish). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:33, 7 January 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Terrorist attack, St. Petersburg, Apr.4, 2017 ===<br />
*Breaking, and footage from the scene ([http://rusvesna.su/news/1491222417 Rusvesna])([http://www.interfax.ru/photo/3267/34534 Interfax-more photos])([http://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3335784.html Cassad-photos]).<br />
*11 killed, 45 wounded ([http://tass.ru/proisshestviya/4149946 TASS]).<br />
*Second attack is said to fail or was prevented ([http://www.interfax.ru/russia/556676 media reports])(said to be disarmed IED [https://pp.userapi.com/c639921/v639921439/11d1b/9kCU4MbbJf8.jpg photo])<br />
*[http://www.interfax.ru/russia/556701 Interfax]: Islamist suicide bomber from a Middle Asian republic is a suspect. Another bearded man whose photo appeared in the media turned up at a police station to claim his innocence. <br />
*It is [http://rusvesna.su/news/1491255058 said] that services had information on IS-linked attack being prepared, but information was incomplete.<br />
*Rumors on social media on Ukrainian connection: [http://rusvesna.su/news/1491247505 likely fake]. <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:24, 3 April 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Rosoboronexport delegation chief robbed in France===<br />
But his woman bodyguard single-handedly gets his bag back from 50 assailants. Or is it other way around? But eventually they got the bag; police showed up and saved them, or maybe the attackers from them as Russian users think. 4 attackers were arrested.<br />
*[http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2017/06/21/97001-20170621FILWWW00384-seine-saint-denis-un-officiel-russe-agresse.php Seine-Saint-Denis: un officiel russe agressé] - Le Figaro.fr avec AFP , 21 June, 2017<br />
*[http://www.lepoint.fr/faits-divers/saint-denis-des-russes-poursuivent-leurs-voleurs-presumes-jusque-dans-leur-cite-21-06-2017-2137173_2627.php#section-commentaires Saint-Denis : une garde du corps russe tient tête à 50 jeunes de cité] - Le Point.fr, 21 June, 2017<br />
*[http://rusvesna.su/news/1498138216 Двое против пятидесяти: французов шокировала погоня русских за напавшими на главу «Рособоронэкспорта»] -Rusvesna, 22 June, 2017<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:33, 22 June 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Skripal' ? ===<br />
Early entries here, for updates see [[Poisoning_of_Sergei_Skripal|Poisoning of Sergei _Skripal]] and [[Talk:Poisoning_of_Sergei_Skripal|talk]]<br />
<br />
*[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/05/alleged-former-russian-spy-critically-exposure-unknown-substance/ Russian spy fighting for life after being 'poisoned' by unknown substance in Salisbury ] -''Telegraph'', March 5, 2018<br />
*: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fentanyl Fentanyl] ?<br />
*[http://www.interfax.ru/russia/602574 Луговой прокомментировал сообщения об отравлении Скрипаля в Великобритании] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrey_Lugovoy Lugovoy] commented on reports about the poisoning of Scripal in the UK)-''Interfax'', March 6, 2018<br />
--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:00, 6 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
If it's Fentanyl, it's a strong synthetic opioid anesthetic, and can be in both recreational and medical use. Anybody could do it (e.g. Ukrainian nationalists or whoever else). But a case it is 'Putin' is [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43303651 immediately made], along the lines Livinenko+Fentanyl use by Russian security during [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_theater_hostage_crisis Dubrovka siege] in Moscow + his own words expressing fear, and since this is an anesthetic he can also wake up and, maybe, make another accusation (or maybe not). It is [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43303651 said] that scientists at Porton Down are studying the "unknown substance"; fine. It is not clear what's going on, but IMO it is unlikely that Russian services will do it on the eve of elections + everything else going on lately against a person of no present danger and keeping a low profile, it is more likely somebody is trying to play out known past events for own benefit here. But we will see, not much to go by so far --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 20:30, 6 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
: Russian spy poisoned by fentanyl? A few hours later fear of fentanyl used to [https://www.coindesk.com/crypto-exchange-creating-wallet-blacklist-to-fight-fentanyl-crisis/ attack cryptocurrencies.] A coincidence? -- [[User:Petri Krohn|Petri Krohn]] ([[User talk:Petri Krohn|talk]]) 22:42, 6 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43323847 'Nerve agent 'used to try to kill' ex-spy'] -''BBC'', March 7, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 17:43, 7 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43402506 Russian spy: UK to expel 23 Russian diplomats]-''BBC'', March 14, 2018<br />
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43440992 Spy poisoning: Russia to expel 23 British diplomats]-''BBC'', March 17, 2018<br />
*[http://tass.ru/politika/5039395 TASS]: British consulate in St. Petersbourg to be closed, activity of the [https://www.britishcouncil.ru/ British council] in Russia will be stopped.<br />
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99imLk-8TLU Russia: British ambassador summoned to Moscow's Foreign Ministry] (video, ambassador statement to the press), March 17, 2018 <br />
: --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 08:36, 17 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Nikolai Glushkov ===<br />
[https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/13/russian-exile-nikolai-glushkov-found-dead-at-his-london-home Russian exile Nikolai Glushkov found dead at his London home] -''Guardian'', March 13, 2018<br />
:''A Russian exile who was close friends with the late oligarch Boris Berezovsky has been found dead in his London home, according to friends. Nikolai Glushkov was discovered by his family and friends late on Monday night, aged 68. The cause of death is not yet clear. One of his friends, the newspaper editor Damian Kudryavtsev, posted the news on his Facebook page.'' --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:40, 13 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[https://www.obozrevatel.com/abroad/umer-kak-boris-chto-izvestno-o-zagadochnoj-smerti-druga-berezovskogo.htm "Умер, как Борис": что известно о загадочной смерти друга Березовского] (Died like Boris: what is known about mysterious death of the friend of Berezovsky), with old photos, ''Obozrevatel'', March 14, 2018<br />
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43433552 Murder inquiry over Russian's London death] -''BBC'', March 16, 2018<br />
*:''UK police have launched a murder investigation after the death of Russian businessman Nikolai Glushkov in south-west London. A post mortem revealed Mr Glushkov, whose family has been informed, died from "compression to the neck".<br />
*:''Meanwhile, Russia's investigative committee has said it has opened a criminal case investigation into "the murder" of Mr Glushkov and the "attempted murder" of Yulia Skripal.<br />
**Linked by BBC, a Steelesquish opus [https://www.buzzfeed.com/heidiblake/from-russia-with-blood-14-suspected-hits-on-british-soil 'From Russia With Blood'] -''BuzzFeed'', June 15, 2017<br />
*:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]])17:18, 16 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
=== Sukhoi SuperJet crash ===<br />
*Bouncing off landing strip, catching fire on the next contact -[https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=DKtznRnQWXA video], youtube, May 5, 2019<br />
*End of landing, evacuation, firefighters arrival (1.5-2 min) [https://echo.msk.ru/blog/echomsk/2420589-echo/ Echo Moskvy], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfHg0O3tHhc video].<br />
*[https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/4967936.html Captain Denis Evdokimov descries events], apparently lightning strike followed by electronics problems (controls and communications). Cassad, May 5, 2019<br />
*Latest estimate is 41 dead<br />
*More related posts on Cassad, Echo Moskvy,etc<br />
--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:40, 5 May 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Legal==<br />
=== Magnitsky Act ===<br />
*[http://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-usa-rights-factbox-idUSBRE93B16420130412 "Factbox ]: Who's who on the U.S. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Magnitsky Magnitsky] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnitsky_Act#Individuals_affected list]" , Reuters, Apr 12, 2013. <br />
: 8 names out of 18 on the list explained; the last two are not related to Magnitsky case.<br />
*[http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/04/13/a-guide-to-the-russian-officials-on-the-u-s-magnitsky-list/ "A guide to the Russian officials] on the U.S. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnitsky_Act#Individuals_affected Magnitsky list]" , by Elias Groll, Foreign Policy, April 13, 2013 <br />
:At the bottom of the list, one "foot soldier" -"Interior Ministry operative who participated in the raid", and four "judges tasked with ruling on the Magnitsky case."<br />
<br />
*"[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Browder Bill Browder] [http://www.billbrowder.com/bio (bio)] Forces Cancellation of Film Critical of Him Minutes Before Screening in Brussels" , by [http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/empty-seat-william-browder-once-again-takes-charge-european-parliament/ri14127 Gilbert Doctorow, Russia Insider], 29 April 2016<br />
:No comment on the film before seen the film. Serious evidence is good enough in PDF or MS Word, does not have to be in video format. Andrei Nekrasov has talent, had important and emotionally powerful documentary footage in the past, on the side of opposition. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:09, 29 April 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Nekrasov is a blast... [https://www.bitchute.com/video/lQ3qEwX66pIL/ video]. As he was with Politkovskaya and Litvinenko footage... (I am not commenting on merits or demerits of volumes of stuff I have not seen...) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 02:02, 23 July 2018 (UTC)<br />
: Seen the film today as well (thanks PL). No wonder Browder did everything to keep it from public view. But this is now blowing up, with Putin mentioning it in Helsinki, btw a day after Nekrasov published [https://www.heise.de/tp/features/Bill-Browder-und-seine-Geschichte-vom-Tod-des-angeblichen-Whistleblowers-Magnitski-4108672.html a very detailed piece] about the content of the film and its suppression on a German website read by a lot of influential people. One of the funniest moments for me was the visit to Marieluise Beck ... she is such a tool. Unbelievable. Hopefully she will be asked about her reaction to the movie... --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 02:32, 23 July 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:: The ''telepolis'' article has now been [https://andreinekrasov.livejournal.com/6763.html translated into English]. --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 20:12, 21 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
: The link lasted longer than expected but now it's dead. Philip Giraldi and his spook friends are taking care that a working copy stays available embedded in his article [http://www.unz.com/pgiraldi/is-bill-browder-the-most-dangerous-man-in-the-world/ here] (See comment 110/111). --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 17:10, 28 July 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
: As the cat was out of the bag anyway, the authors have now [https://vimeo.com/ondemand/themagnitskyact released] the film for public viewing on vimeo on demand (not available in countries where TV stations have the transmission rights, i.e. Germany, Austria, France and Finland). Quote [https://twitter.com/TorsteinGrude/status/1027483681399681024 Come hell or high water]. Of course they fear that Browder is now coming after them, so this should get as much publicity as possible quickly. --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 17:13, 9 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
: It took almost a month, but then vimeo [https://www.facebook.com/PirayaFilm/posts/2078202778866059 caved in] to Browder's machinations and banned the film for "defamation". Today Nekrasov tweeted that it is now viewable on a dedicated website [http://www.magnitskyact.com/ www.magnitskyact.com]. Good move. Apparently with the same country restriction as before, though. --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 01:59, 22 September 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Someone led Browder in to the European Parliament where he was asked about Nekrasov's film and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjXziG-I74c this] was his response. --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 17:43, 30 January 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Corruption cases===<br />
*[http://tass.com/society/902502 Dmitri Zakharchenko], a high-ranking official from the anti-corruption department of Russia’s Ministry of Interior Affairs, was arrested in September, 2016 Large sum of money was found and confiscated, which some [http://tass.ru/proisshestviya/3620934 media sources (referred to by TASS)] put at 475 mln USD in total, It was discussed that this large amount possibly belong to several people ([https://www.google.com/search?q=obshak obshak], in Russian criminal lingo).--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:34, 15 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*15 Nov. 2016. One of highly visible and important ministers, minister of economic development of Russia Alexey Ulyukaev ([https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A3%D0%BB%D1%8E%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B5%D0%B2,_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B9_%D0%92%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87 wiki, Rus.] , [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexey_Ulyukaev wiki, Eng.]), was arrested for allegedly receiving a (staged by investigators) bribe of 2 mln $ from the oil company Rosneft (majority government owned, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Sechin Igor Sechin] is CEO). The payment is said to be for a positive evaluation of Rosneft acquisition of 50% share of another oil company [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashneft Bashneft']. <br />
**Ulyukaev denied charges. Ulyukaev has academic distinctions (doctor of economic sciences -awarded in Russia and France, professor. He started work in the government with Yegor Gaidar team in 1991, Yeltsin-Bill Clinton era, and so is viewed to be in the pro-Western globalists camp; while Sechin is in the conservative, 'siloviki' (security and military) camp. Uliukaev was involved ([https://sputniknews.com/europe/201512181031952746-ulyukaev-eu-ukraine-agreement/ Sputnik]; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine%E2%80%93European_Union_Association_Agreement#Implementation_schedule wiki]) in negotiations on economic issues related to economic consequences of Ukraine association agreement with EU and Russian objections raised. <br />
**Insiders [http://www.newsru.com/russia/15nov2016/ulyukaev_55.html expressed] surprise and questioned the developments, e.g. Alexander Shokhin, president of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, pointed out that the acquisition of Bashneft was approved a month ago and it would be insane to demand money after that from one of the most powerful figures in Russia, Igor Sechin. Economist Alexey Kudrin [http://tass.ru/ekonomika/3784871 stated] without going into details that there are many questions and an objective investigation is necessary. PM Dmitriy Medvedev [https://rg.ru/2016/11/15/dmitrij-medvedev-obsudil-s-vladimirom-putinym-zaderzhanie-uliukaeva.html called] for a careful investigation too. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:34, 15 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
*[http://tass.com/politics/912736 Russia’s Supreme Court overturns sentence against opposition activist (Alexei) Navalny], *[https://codessaver.com/all-stores/ Russia’s Supreme Court overturns sentence against opposition activist "the case will be reviewed by the Leninsky district court of Kirov due to the new circumstances". "The court's presidium initiated the checks into the case after the decision of the European Court of Human Rights, which said that Navalny’s rights to have a fair trial had been violated". If Navalny is cleared, he may run for Russian president office in 2018; Kremlin [http://tass.com/politics/912800 does not comment] on such possibility. <br />
:[https://navalny.com/p/5131/ Navalny on Ulykaev]: "He is 100% a crook but this is not why he was imprisoned" (says that his anti-corruption foundation uncovered suspicious details like off shore account and high reported income, but that reported details of Ulykaev arrest do not appear sensible). <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:16, 17 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Murder cases===<br />
(On one-off, non-systematic basis)<br />
<br />
*[https://echo.msk.ru/blog/echomsk/2257650-echo/ Dmitriy Zakharov]([https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Захаров,_Дмитрий_Вениаминович Wikipedia]): Berezovsky killed Vlad Listiev -''Echo Moskvy'', 12 Aug. 2018 <br />
*Alexey Venediktov: Berezovsky [https://echo.msk.ru/blog/aav/2257964-echo/ did not kill] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladislav_Listyev Vlad Listiev] -''Echo Moskvy'', 13 Aug. 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:32, 13 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Sports Section==<br />
Normally not commenting, but this is curious: 'Why Russia Makes the Olympics Better', [http://www.wsj.com/articles/why-russia-makes-the-olympics-better-1469220208 WSJ], July 22, 2016. My point here is that Olympics were supposed to prevent wars, not create them. It is very clear that a forceful reaction from Russia to Maidan came in the footsteps of Western leaders boycotting Sochi Olympics; if they would all cosy up there, maybe no overreaction and less tragic Maidan. Don't want to discuss all other aspects involved,-hopefully it's clear where I am getting.-- In Russia, calls to slam the door, remember mass sport (and Stalin), and so on --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:36, 23 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://ssl.gstatic.com/onebox/media/olympics/photos/o16/live/RIOEC861LVMSB_768x432.JPG Beslan Mudranov], from Kabardino-Balkaria, wins under-60 kg judo gold for Russia, in a match against an opponent from Kazakhstan-[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C3qzR2eyj4 video]. Awarded [http://judoinfo.com/referee.htm waza-ari] by the referee for a throw in [http://www.judo-ch.jp/english/ijf_judge/entyou/ Golden Score] time. Commentator shouts "Yuko!" , as the opponent appears to land a bit on the side, yet it's close to a clean throw, and Golden Score applies (it appears) in any case. Waza-ari that will be. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:55, 8 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
:Street celebrations in Kabardino-Balkaria. Congratulated by the [http://kremlin.ru/events/president/letters/52660 Kremlin].<br />
<br />
Aug. 9, 2016. Khasan Khalmurzaev from Ingushetia [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzCXdEG06wQ won] another Olympic judo gold with the highest score, Ippon, over Travis Stevens, USA in under 81 kg category.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:28, 9 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Wars during Olympics===<br />
*[http://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/2888401.html Georgia], August 2008.<br />
*Ukraine Maidan, January/February 2014<br />
*Donbass and Aleppo, August 2016<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:40, 9 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===2018 winter olympics===<br />
Russia is [http://rusvesna.su/news/1512499796 banned] and fined . Some announcement or comment by Putin is expected (various discussions in Russian media included boycott, critical comments on the process -of blaming the whole group without individual evidence sort, and criticism aiming to undermine character of the whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov). No systematic coverage planned, at least for now --No independent info or insight --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:43, 5 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[https://russian.rt.com/sport/news/456715-kadyrov-chechnya-oi2018 Kadyrov]: "No athlete with a Chechen residence will participate under a neutral flag. And those Chechen athletes, who by all criteria should be on the national team and go to the Olympics, we will honor them as winners! " --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:14, 5 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
*[https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3855037.html Олимпиада 2018. Позор или бойкот?] -''Cassad'', 5 Dec. 2017<br />
*:A choice between the bad and the worst, but going for the boycott; 90 % of around 300 responders so far for boycott too.<br />
<br />
Some (el-Murid; Sobchak) say, athletes first/fat cats last, go. What about home games as partial replacement? Not ideal of course (less competition, etc), but perhaps some advantages too, more local athletes taking part (more like mass sport), moneys spent inside, may still give prizes, with some adjustments perhaps. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:46, 6 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
Or leaving it undecided, for the committees to figure? It's all quite tricky, potentially interferes with elections --a point made already in the discourse. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:46, 6 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
According to [http://tass.ru/sport/4787725 TASS], by IOC rules a state cannot influence decision of athletes; Putin [http://tass.ru/sport/4789890 stated] that a boycott will not be announced and there will be no obstacles if some athletes will decide to participate in a private capacity (so consistent with the rules, as presented, and leaving it open for the athletes to decide). On 12 December there will be a meeting of athletes on the issue. What remains at stake, apparently, is level of support provided to those going in a 'private capacity', any legal challenges to the decision, commercial aspects like broadcasting. etc.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:28, 6 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://tass.ru/sport/4974829 'The Russian delegation rejects the conscious use of Meldonium by Krushelnytsky'] -''TASS'', February 20, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:51, 20 February 2018 (UTC)<br />
:Both A and B probes were positive. Probe on 22 January 2018 was negative. Spiked drink accusation was made by Krushelnytsky (after the A probe result were announced, but not the B probe results).<br />
<br />
Russia wins Olympic ice hockey gold thriller in overtime, after equalizing 50 seconds before the end of regulation time, and while Germany had power play advantage. Russian player was booked with 2 m 11 s of regulation remaining, giving power play to Germany, with Russia trailing 3:2. Russian coach switched goal-keeper for a field player; that is a rather desperate move which rarely works, but here Gusev managed to put the puck in from an unlikely angle and 50 seconds to go. All that ended with Russia's overtime win, congratulations from Putin, and the team +the fans trying to over-sing the loud Olympic hymn with the Russian anthem, and over-wave with fans' tricolors the white Olympic flag honoring 'Olympic Athletes from Russia' . --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:39, 25 February 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===UFC===<br />
Russian fighter from Dagestan Khabib 'the Eagle' Nurmagomedov defeated ([https://twitter.com/i/status/1048813424392785920 video]), ([https://yandex.ru/video/search?text=%D1%85%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B8%D0%B1&path=wizard&noreask=1&filmId=5797910733391064424 full video]) Irish fighter Conor McGregor. (Subsequently, jumped out of the cage to take on McGregor's sparring partner who he says had insulted him , [https://twitter.com/i/status/1048827372198354944 video]; apologized on the spot and on [https://www.instagram.com/p/Bon6Y-SngU7/?utm_source=ig_embed instagram]). Celebrations in Makhachkala ([http://obzor.io/2018/10/07/na-rodine-xabiba-prazdnuyut-pobedu-bojca-video-81080/ photo/video]). Khabib was [https://tass.ru/sport/5646517 congratulated] by Putin and [https://tass.ru/sport/5646413 Kadyrov] for his victory. Khabib started career in Ukraine-now some in Ukraine [http://rusvesna.su/news/1538908989 claim] 'ownership' . --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 17:16, 7 October 2018 (UTC)</div>Davidwilliamshttps://acloserlookonsyria.shoutwiki.com/w/index.php?title=Category_talk:Russia&diff=51493Category talk:Russia2019-06-14T06:05:59Z<p>Davidwilliams: /* Corruption cases */</p>
<hr />
<div>==Disclaimer==<br />
:"Умом Россию не понять,<br />
:Аршином общим не измерить:<br />
:У ней особенная стать —<br />
:В Россию можно только верить".<br />
<br />
::Ф. И. Тютчев.<br />
<br />
:You will not grasp her with your mind <br />
:Or cover with a common label, <br />
:For Russia is one of a kind – <br />
:Believe in her, if you are able...<br />
::(translated by Anatoly Liberman) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:44, 7 March 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
::::* * * <br />
<br />
:I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia.<br />
:It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma;<br />
:but perhaps there is a key.<br />
:That key is Russian national interest. <br />
<br />
::[http://www.churchill-society-london.org.uk/RusnEnig.html Winston Churchill]<br />
-- [[User:Petri Krohn|Petri Krohn]] ([[User talk:Petri Krohn|talk]]) 18:53, 7 March 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Short Stories===<br />
Film director Pavel Lungin (PL) recalls meeting dissident writer [http://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/26/world/andrei-sinyavsky-71-dies-writer-was-sent-to-gulag.html Andrei Siniavskii] , who was imprisoned in Gulag, than emigrated to France. Siniavskii, sitting in a bar in Paris, sipping some wine: now listen Pavel, -- the happiest time I ever had, it was in Gulag. <br />
:(PL) how come ???<br />
:(S) we were really happy there, everything was so pure, like no moneys, no women ... --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 04:56, 16 March 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===National Idea?===<br />
After the fall of socialism (which followed the fall of traditional society and tzarism), there was no replacement; and extreme Russian version of capitalism has not become a unifying idea. Lack of national idea was mentioned and discussed by members of Yeltsin government, but no serious suggestion was made. In that background, Putin explicitly offered patriotism as (a/the) 'national idea' (the national unifying "-ism") at a meeting with entrepreneurs from the so called 'Club of Leaders'. [http://tass.ru/politika/2636647 TASS], Feb. 3, 2016.<br />
:The previous, pre-socialist one was [http://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/dic_wingwords/2219/%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B5 "Православие, самодержавие, народность"], proposed by Uvarov during the reign of tzar Nicolai 1. This translates as "Orthodoxy (Russian Christian O.), autocracy (tzarism), nationalism" (народность here means being close to people and traditions).<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:02, 4 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
==Geopolitics==<br />
Marianna Belenkaya -TASS [http://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/1902253 attempts to explain] lifting of S-300 sales to Iran, and abstention vote on Yemen, from geopolitical perspective; "multi-vector" and "..openly against policies of Washington..." are key words used in the article. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:42, 19 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
26.11.15 Hollande to arrive to Moscow on Thursday after visiting Obama, presumably in an attempt to bring about a broad anti-IS coalition. Tuesday presser with Obama, however, suggests that the US does not see a need for a new coalition, and that while the existing one is open to Russia, she needs to change her behavior (dropping support for Assad, or making sure that he chooses not to run in the elections). Such line is clearly not going to work, as this would be politically suicidal. There is nowhere remotely near the level of pressure to bring about a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seppuku harakiri] of such sort (and it is impossible to have required levels). On the other hand, the Western coalition is not prepared to do the job itself, as airstrikes cannot possibly reverse vast territorial gains in a land with significant number of civilian inhabitants. Only President Putin and the Supreme Leader Khamenei have the actual presence on the ground. <br />
<br />
So apparently the real plan of the Empire is Chaos. Hollande may try, and succeed, to have an appearance of a broad coalition. There is good chemistry and strong cultural connection. But at this point, the players are too preoccupied with their own interests to really work together as one team for a common good. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:43, 26 November 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Lavrov says, in essence, that EU foreign policy is under US control (and that he would wish it to be otherwise) [http://ria.ru/world/20160313/1389139858.html RIA]. (Graphics show results of Sputnik/Populus poll, showing that respondents believed that ordinary people have no or little influence over their country foreign policy.) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:44, 13 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Ukraine and Syria===<br />
*Telephone call, Obama-Putin, Feb 14, 2016 [http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/51312 Kremlin read-out], [https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fkremlin.ru%2Fevents%2Fpresident%2Fnews%2F51312&edit-text=google translation]. Syria (support Munich decisions) and Ukraine (fulfill Minsk) were discussed. <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:03, 14 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*(Of all places), Steinmeier is to meet Kerry in Moscow, and hopes to have a meeting wiht Putin as well, according to [http://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/2869066 TASS]--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:15, 23 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[http://tass.ru/en/world/864988 Kerry interview to TASS (Eng)] (provides 'distorting mirrors' description on Ukraine, Poroshenko troops are fired on, etc). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:44, 25 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
:Kerry claimed that Kiev is doing things and passed laws on amnesty and special status. Well, Rada did pass [http://www.rada.gov.ua/news/Novyny/Povidomlennya/97812.html some amnesty law] (September 2014), but that law only covered period from 22 February 2014 to 16 September 2014. I am not aware that another amnesty law was passed after Minsk 2 was signed. Of course it is insufficient, in law and in practice (which as we know is bad). Passing another law is required in item 5 of [http://www.spiegel.de/media/media-35901.pdf Minsk-2 agreement], that was not done as far as I am aware. Regarding special status, there was a law of temporary nature pre Minsk 2, but constitutional amendments required in part 11 of [http://www.spiegel.de/media/media-35901.pdf Minsk-2] were not fulfilled. (Strange that TASS interviewer just nodded in agreement throughout. That was before meeting with Putin, so it was like, well, whatever you say, or something). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:13, 25 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Belarus===<br />
*All top Russian leadership gathered in Minsk. Putin -Lukashenko joint press conference describe talks and decisions of a 'supreme council of a Union State' (Russia and Belarus), and (double-labeling?) inter-state cooperation agreements, economic, military, political --[https://russian.rt.com/article/150537 RT report and video]--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:51, 25 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Turkey===<br />
Aug. 9, 2016. [http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/52671 Putin] and Erdogan [http://rusvesna.su/news/1470758917 met] in St. Petersburg. Relations normalized after an apology by Erdogan, Russian support after the coup, and some back channel diplomacy. [http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/story-of-secret-diplomacy-that-ended-russia-turkey-jet-crisis.aspx?pageID=238&nID=102629&NewsCatID=409 According to] İbrahim Kalın, the spokesman for Erdoğan, businessman “Cavit Çağlar played a very important role” in solving the crisis, as well as Kazakhstan leader “Nursultan Nazarbayev, who showed great friendship to Turkey” and “the patriotic initiative taken by Gen. Hulusi Akar, the Chief of General Staff despite the area being out of his responsibility". At the press conference, big economic projects (Northern stream, Akkuyu nuclear power station ) appear back on track. Syria was to be discussed after the press conference, with difference of approaches remaining but a common solution sought, according to statements made. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:28, 9 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Russia/USA===<br />
A bit more interaction as both are involved in Syria.<br />
<br />
Chances of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Bout Viktor Bout] and [https://www.rt.com/usa/scandal-kidnapped-drug-pilot/ Konstantin Yaroshenko] ( Russians extradited and sentenced to prison terms in USA on weapons/drugs trafficking charges) being released in a swap deal involving Savchenko, Erofeev, and Alexandrov are [http://www.interfax.ru/russia/505074 discussed] in Russian sources, Interfax, Apr. 22, 2016. Previously, some talk on that by Russian FM spokeswoman, and in (overall critical of the government) comments by the opposition. Unsure how realistic is such swap; but seems plausible that Russia is trying to have it; and remains to be seen how it turns out. Russia never clearly stated that releasing Savchenko is going to happen, but appears to be open for some sort of bargain, at least. Can be a broader trust-building step, if it happens (though unsure it will)--[[User:Resup|Resup]]([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:23, 22 April 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
One more [http://ria.ru/syria/20160712/1464817038.html visit] of Kerry to Moscow on 14-15 July 2016, Ukraine and Syria. For one thing, Ukraine can be solved, -by putting really harsh pressure on UKRAINE to fulfill Minsk agreements. It is really no mystery who is not following agreements, yet for as long as it is more politically profitable to keep blaming Russia nothing good will come out. It is not happening because there is no political will in the US to do it in the first place. So what's the point for yet another visit to Moscow? As they say, empty talk is not taxed. With Syria, it's more complicated. With Aleppo rebels surrounded, some tactical advantage on Russian side, but that's about it, and unlikely a solution in a near future. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:57, 12 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
:[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/leaked-proposal-us-offering-russia-military-pact-in-syria/2016/07/14/b562e920-4998-11e6-8dac-0c6e4accc5b1_story.html 'Unable to stop Syria’s war, US offers Russia new partnership'], Washington Post, 14 July 2016.<br />
:Kerry and Lavrov meetings lasted over 10 hours in total. At present, USA taken a pause for consultations ([http://tass.ru/politika/3458891 TASS])., 15 July 2016. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:48, 15 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
:*Lavrov press conference comments after the meeting- [http://tass.ru/politika/3459084 (TASS)] [http://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/2356206 (full)]. Mostly on Syria; direct negotiations advocated for both Syria and Ukraine, with the role of other parties is to press for this to happen. Indirect talks on Syria described as insufficient (on Ukraine, Moscow always tried to have direct dialog, but so far without success). Synchronization of Ukrainian formats advocated (i.e contact groups with participation of DPR/LPR. Normandy format, and direct USA-Russia contacts). Meeting appears to be about agreeing various steps to be done without expectation of those steps leading to a breakthrough.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:41, 16 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
:*Kerry comments on [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zUbWkzIKxE video] (12 min). Talks on measures from around 7:00 time stamp, and that those will not be made public in full details, need further work, and not expected to give immediate results --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:41, 16 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.rt.com/news/361411-russia-suspend-plutonium-deal/ Putin signs decree suspending Russia-US deal on plutonium disposal over hostile US actions], RT. Oct.3, 2016<br />
:Recalling [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F9apXOyJCY earlier interview], April 7, 2016, St, Petersburg, agreement called for both sides having a plant to do disposal irreversibly, but it was said that this was only done by Russia and not implemented by USA, where dilution is used instead. Back than, no steps were taken, but it is done now. The response came in he context of Russia not attending [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/31/nuclear-security-summit-obama-russia-absence nuclear security summit] hosted by Obama. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:28, 3 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://www.apn.ru/index.php?newsid=36352 Russian trumpism after Shayrat] -''APN'' , 29 May 2017. Covering evolution of grass-root and officialdom 'Trumpism' in Russia (in Rus.) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 08:11, 30 May 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://www.eucom.mil/media-library/article/35874/russian-fighter-intercepts-us-aircraft Russian Fighter Intercepts US Aircraft (8 photos)], published by United States European Command, Stuttgart, Germany on Jun 23, 2017 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:51, 23 June 2017 (UTC)<br />
:A U.S. RC-135U flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea was intercepted by a Russian SU-27 Flanker June 19, 2017.<br />
<br />
First personal Trump-Putin meeting, 7 July 2017. [http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/55006 Kremlin release], [https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-and-releases White House (pending)]. It is understood that meeting lasted longer than planned, over 2 hours instead of 40 minutes, and both sides made very emotionally positive statements afterwards. Good 'chemistry' is important, for the good of the world, and with previous admin it was quite terrible. It is also worth mentioning that in terms of actions, not words, it was not very much. Some cessation of hostilities in SW part of Syria was worked out before the meeting. A channel on Ukraine existed with the previous admin and is not by itself a breakthrough (stopping shelling, killing, and return to normality and peace on the ground would be). US statements and actions leading into the meeting were quite uniformly negative, more sanctions, troops, 'Russia a destabilizing force, etc. More on that line eg in 2 articles in Saker. Criticism of that is (1) personal chemistry is important, only time can tell what it leads too, and best for that is to stay open-minded and optimistic (2) on Russia's side, too much fixation on the issue. Russia on one hand tries to keep independence and geopolitical weight comparable to USSR. On the other side, de-industrialization, weak non-supply + non-military economy, flashy but less sustained R&D apart from those (and few selected areas like chips, finance), no viable non -Western alternative value system and strong drive and economic reason to be part of the West --contradictory to attempted geopolitical attitude. In a well-functioning on all levels Russia, quality of reproach with USA would be a lesser issue for Russia; that cannot be replaced by personal contact, as the systems and ways and means are too different. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:19, 8 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Kremlin/Peskov: seized by Obama admin Russian diplomatic property must be returned without preconditions, talks -[http://tass.com/politics/956576 TASS -Eng.] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:54, 17 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
US consulates in Russia [https://ru.usembassy.gov/ru/fact-sheet-ru/ suspend] issuing of non-immigrant visas till 1 September, will restart afterwards but only in Moscow, not at other consulates. It was motivated by Russia telling to cut consulates headcount, however according to [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZgXkYJUm6g&t=27m20s Kislyak interview] on his return to Russia US and Russian consulates issue comparable number of visas (180 thousand visas issued by USA, some 90 thousand, down from peak 134 thousands, by Russia), and it does not take too many people, few dozens maybe. While much smaller European consulates issue about twice more visas (16 consular officers of Italy issued 478 thousand visas, 5 Spanish officers- 877 thousand visas, according to [http://tass.ru/politika/4499442 Russian FM/TASS]) Lavrov comments on the development is at the bottom of his translated [http://www.mid.ru/en/press_service/video/-/asset_publisher/i6t41cq3VWP6/content/id/2840676 press-conference transcript]. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 08:59, 22 August 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE3pU9yhuKw Epiphany ice-hole bathing of the US ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman], 21 January, 2018 (Will not redirect the runaway train, but may be among the best efforts so far...) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:00, 22 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Source: Fiona Hill, Special Assistant to the US President, holds consultations in Moscow [https://tass.ru/politika/6347324 TASS Rus.], [http://tass.com/world/1054288 TASS Eng.]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
====Arms Control====<br />
Russian FM published a [http://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/3192916 detailed report], ''On Russian assessments of the US Department of State report on compliance with agreements and commitments in the field of arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament''. It includes points on major arms control treaties. In particular, it is announced that Russia suspends an agreement on conversion of plutonium, citing many old and new grievances such as NATO expansion, sanctions, Ukraine, as well as US non-compliance with agreed process of conversion (US wants dilution and burial, not utilization in nuclear reactors --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:38, 24 April 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
USA in effect [https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text#toc-H059D37691D9F40348C4794864FEE4AED freezes open skies agreement with Russia], in the newly signed defense budget, until president certifies 'treaty violations responses' on Russia [https://ria.ru/world/20180813/1526479787.html?referrer_block=index_main_1 RIA], 13 Aug. 2018 (The treaty is important for trust on troops and weapons deployment, etc). Some background and discussion [https://www.armscontrol.org/taxonomy/term/32 here] (''In his May letter to Fischer, Mattis countered that the imagery produced on treaty flights “is verifiable and unclassified, which allows for its use in international or bilateral fora.” He noted that, in 2014, treaty imagery was “a key visual aid during U.S. engagement with allies and Russia regarding the military crisis in Ukraine.” '') --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:08, 13 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Unconfirmed====<br />
;Alleged speech of Bill Clinton before the Joined Chiefs of Staff, Oct. 1995<br />
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3ABill_Clinton%2FArchive_9#Alleged_speech_before_the_Joined_Chiefs_of_Staff -Wikipedia/Talk] <br />
*[http://russway.narod.ru/articles/clinton.htm russway.narod.ru], and many similar blog posts in Russian<br />
*Latest mentioning, Oct. 17, 2017, Yelena Ermakova at the Permanent meeting of the People's Patriotic Forces of Russia (members includes Strelkov) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx5077HJLUE&t=2h09m09s tells us] that it was a shocker to Boris Yeltsin and contributed to him later stepping down (with Putin as a replacement); source of Yeltsin claim is unknown. The context of this remark is to argue for some positive sides of Putin, to an audience who is in opposition/identifies as an independent third force. <br />
*Alleged speech cannot be easily traced in [https://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/show/12666 daily schedule for October 1995]. There are some redacted items, and Truman institute meeting on October 25, but no known evidence. Non-existence and an invention from thing air is a possibility. At least it firmly exists as a folklore. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 04:35, 19 October 2017 (UTC)<br />
;'Dulles' Plan' . <br />
Said to be ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulles%27_Plan Wikipedia]) to be a work of fiction. (A user discussing the issue above, Oct. 1995, suggested that it can be a modified version of the 'Dulles' Plan'). One of the places the alleged 1995 plan was published was a literary journal, which may well be publishing fiction. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:59, 19 October 2017 (UTC) Added, it is argued in Russian sources ([https://vk.com/wall-156278021_5124 proryvist], via [https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/4594053.html Cassad]) and quoting from [http://publ.lib.ru/ARCHIVES/J/JUVENEL'_Reno/_Juvenel'_R..html a book] "Army of Mercenaries' (1952) by [https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaud_de_Jouvenel Renaud de Jouvenel] that such plans, involving spies, sabotage, and psy-ops, really existed. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:03, 20 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Helsinki summit, July 16, 2018====<br />
Yurii Ushakov, assistant to the Russian president, comments on the summit-[http://tass.ru/politika/5372835 TASS], 13 July, 2018<br />
<br />
====Bolton in Moscow, October 2018====<br />
Bolton visited Moscow after the US announced intention to withdraw from the [https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/INFtreaty INF treaty]. <br />
<br />
Bolton: I did not bring any more olives (after Putin's comments on 13 arrows and 13 olives held by eagle on the US coat of arms). Bolton: E pluribus unum -"Out of many, one.” (in response to Putin saying that there is also "unity in diversity" on the US coat of arms). Bolton comment is then mistranslated to Russian ("our slogan indeed is that the unity is in diversity") - ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSR_5qwjgbE video])<br />
<br />
[http://www.apn-spb.ru/opinions/article29176.htm A Russian article critical of Putin performance for him being too soft] appeared, by [http://svpressa.ru/authors/sergey-duhanov/ Sergey Dukhanov]. Giving Bolton an opportunity to talk separately to Lavrov, Shoigu, and Patrushev was criticized in particular, for giving Bolton (portrayed as a dedicated opponent) too much inside into fine details of the Russian senior leadership thinking. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:44, 27 October 2018 (UTC)<br />
*Bolton press conference ([https://www.c-span.org/video/?453518-1/national-security-adviser-john-bolton-holds-news-conference-moscow text/video]), Oct. 23, 2018<br />
*:00:20:16 [https://www.c-span.org/video/?453518-1/national-security-adviser-john-bolton-holds-news-conference-moscow&start=1216 THE PROBLEM IS] THERE ARE RUSSIAN (INF violating missiles in Europe) NOW. THE THREAT IS NOT AMERICA WITHDRAW FROM THE INF TREATY. THE THREAT IS THE RUSSIAN MISSILE.<br />
*:00:42:38 ''AND THAT APPLIES TO THE INDICTMENT OF THE INTERNET RESEARCH ASSOCIATINGS ACCOUNTANT THAT was just RELEASED LOOK BACK TO SEE THE TIME PERIODS INVOLVED'' (totally mistranslated to Russian; a news report on this item [https://www.wired.com/story/russia-indictment-twitter-facebook-play-both-sides/ here])<br />
<br />
====Paul Whelan arrest ====<br />
*[https://www.foxnews.com/world/paul-whelan-us-man-accused-of-spying-in-russia-charged-with-espionage-report Paul Whelan, US man accused of spying in Russia, charged with espionage: report], by Katherine Lam, Fox News, January 3, 2019<br />
*[https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/4681887.html About Whelan arrest]-Cassad, January 3, 2019<br />
*: --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:34, 3 January 2019 (UTC)<br />
*[https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/british-citizen-paul-whelan-held-in-russia-over-spying-for-the-west-ghglb88kw British citizen Paul Whelan held in Russia over ‘spying for the West’]-The Times, January 4, 2019<br />
*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/four-countries-now-have-links-to-american-detained-in-russia-as-international-spillover-widens/2019/01/04/25d93b2e-1029-11e9-8f0c-6f878a26288a_story.html Four countries now have links to American detained in Russia as international spillover widens] -''Washington Post'', January 4, 2019<br />
*[http://tass.com/politics/1039009 Russia seeks consular access to Russian detained at US request, says senior diplomat] (indicted in 2017, arrested 29 December, 2018, on Saipan, the Northern Mariana Islands) -''TASS'' (Eng.), January 5, 2019<br />
*[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46769660 "Paul Whelan: Russia rules out prisoner swap for ex-US Marine"] -''BBC'' (Eng.), January 5, 2019<br />
<br />
===Russia/NATO===<br />
*[http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/142046 Kommersant.ru], 7 March 2000. Putin in interview to BBC stated that he does not exclude a possibility of Russia joining NATO. <br />
::At an economic forum in St. Petersburg in June 2017, Putin [http://tass.ru/politika/4310986 reminded] the story of him telling Bill Clinton that Russia might join NATO, to a diplomatic nod of approval by Clinton and alarm of Clinton's entourage. <br />
*BBC, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/audio_video/programmes/breakfast_with_frost/transcripts/putin5.mar.txt Breakfast With Frost Interview]: Vladimir Putin, March 5, 2000<br />
{{I|2|<br />
DAVID FROST:<br />
Tell me about your views on NATO if you would. Do you see NATO as a <br />
potential partner, or a rival or an enemy?<br />
<br />
PUTIN:<br />
Russia is part of the European culture. And I cannot imagine my own country <br />
in isolation from Europe and what we often call the civilised world. So it is <br />
hard for me to visualise NATO as an enemy. I think even posing the question <br />
this way will not do any good to Russia or the world. The very question is <br />
capable of causing damage. Russia strives for equitable and candid relations <br />
with its partners. The main problem here lies in attempts to discard previously <br />
agreed common instruments - mainly in resolving issues of international <br />
security. We are open to equitable co-operation, to partnership. We believe <br />
we can talk about more profound integration with NATO but only if Russia is <br />
regarded an equal partner. You are aware we have been constantly voicing <br />
our opposition to NATO's eastward expansion. <br />
<br />
DAVID FROST:<br />
Is it possible Russia could join NATO?<br />
<br />
PUTIN:<br />
I don't see why not. I would not rule out such a possibility - but I repeat - if and <br />
when Russia's views are taken into account as those of an equal partner. <br />
}}<br />
<br />
*[http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2008-06-30/putins-labyrinth Putin's Labyrinth], Steve Levine, Bloomberg Businessweek, July 1, 2008<br />
:''By the beginning of 2000 the NATO expansion was well under way. Putin met with President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and National Security Adviser Samuel Berger, and floated a question: What would be the West's attitude toward Russia's applying to join NATO? Berger suddenly found a fly on the window to be extremely intriguing. Albright looked straight ahead. Clinton glanced at his advisers and finally responded with a diplomatically phrased brush-off. It was something on the order of, If it were up to me, I would welcome that...<br />
*US permanent representative to NATO [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivo_Daalder Ivo Daalder]: it is possible for Russia to join NATO, but such a decision needs to be taken by Russia, as quoted by [http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20100922/277973798.html RIA], 22 Sept. 2010<br />
<br />
*[https://www.rt.com/news/342915-putin-nato-threat-missiles/ Putin: Russia will consider tackling NATO missile defense threat], RT, 13 May, 2016 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:11, 14 May 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*Frants Klintsevich, the first deputy head of the Russian Federation Council Defense and Security Committee: "The deployment of NATO battalions in the Baltic States and Poland and the fact of bringing the NATO missile defense system to the initial level of readiness are the obvious acts of aggression if things are to be called by their names." [http://tass.ru/en/politics/887203 TASS], July 8, 2016.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:45, 9 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Russia/former Yugoslavia===<br />
*Kosovo authorities have declared a member of the UN mission, Mikhail Krasnoshchekov, wounded by local security officials, persona non grata -[https://ria.ru/20190531/1555162010.html RIA], May 31, 2019<br />
*The UN response -[https://ria.ru/20190531/1555162010.html RIA], [https://rusvesna.su/news/1559322282 Rusvesna] (another photo) May 31, 2019<br />
*:...UN employee cannot be persona non grata , such definition does not apply ...<br />
*First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, Behgjet Pacolli, has invited senior representatives of the United Nations to initiate an investigation - [http://www.rtklive.com/sq/news-single.php?ID=353929 Radio Television Kosovo live] , June 1, 2019<br />
*: It is not clear what Krasnoshekov did/why he was attacked, and what caused Kosovo police activity (against some group of Serbs) to begin with--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:50, 1 June 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Japan===<br />
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuril_Islands_dispute Kuril Islands Dispute, en.wikipedia]<br />
:[http://tass.ru/info/1515098 TASS dossier], 2013: Following the meeting in St. Petersburg, the leaders agreed that the peace treaty problem can be solved only on the basis of the principle of "[http://judodictionary.com/glossary-term/hiki-wake/ Hiki-wake]" - "no victor, no vanquished".<br />
:[https://rg.ru/2016/05/07/premer-sindzo-abe-predlozhil-rossii-sotrudnichestvo-vmesto-konfrontacii.html Japanese Prime Minister offered cooperation with Russia] at a summit in Sochi, his 8 items plan is mentioned, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 07.05.2016<br />
:[https://rg.ru/2016/09/02/reg-dfo/putin-i-abe-dogovorilis-o-novyh-proektah.html Putin and Abe agreed on new (economic) projects], Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 2.09.2016<br />
:[https://rg.ru/2016/09/12/glavy-mid-rf-i-iaponii-vozmut-na-kontrol-dogovorennosti-putina-i-abe.html FM of Russia and Japan will 'take under control' recent agreements of Putin and Abe], Rossiiskaya Gazeta, 12.09.2016<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6aurBI0XxM When is peace with Japan], Kiselev on Rossia 1 TV, 11.09.2016<br />
::some of the Russian 'patriotic opposition' figures, after watching their TVs, expressed concern, interpreting this as plans to transfer islands sovereignty to Japan. <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]])17:51, 16 September 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Various scenarios of signing peace treaty with Japan, possibly transferring to their sovereignty two (or different number) of the 4 disputed islands, possibly after a period of joint economic activity, under conditions not yet agreed, are now openly [https://regnum.ru/news/polit/2216926.html?utm_source=infox.sg discussed] in the Russian press. Russian 'patriotic opposition' is strongly against. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:59, 14 December 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://rusvesna.su/news/1508996991 Klintsevich]: Russia made a decision to establish a Navy base on Kuril islands. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:02, 26 October 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===UN===<br />
Vitalii Churkin, Russia representative at the UN, has [http://rusvesna.su/news/1487610954 died] in New York. He was 65. <br />
:[https://twitter.com/SamanthaJPower/status/833734190101327872 Samantha Power: 'devastated']. Long article in [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/25/opinion/sunday/samantha-power-my-friend-the-russian-ambassador.html?_r=0 NY Times] (maybe she thinks it makes Churkin appear human--but it's rather herself, to a degree. With all that human touch, why all that nonsense she was channeling at the UN? --If she is not vile, it then borders on incompetence. <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:46, 20 February 2017 (UTC)<br />
:[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABS-CBN_(television_network) abs.cbn-tv], a Filipino network (???), made a [http://abs.cbn-tv.com/autopsy-report-reveals-russias-un-envoy-churkin-was-poisoned/ claim] that Churkin 'had poison in his kidneys', presents part of a medical report (with nothing on kidneys in it; liver necrosis mentioned). Report may well be false (any Filipino-Ukrainians?) Russian liberal media cite this as 'US report', point out that Churkin had diplomatic immunity and autopsy is not supposed to be done in US. [https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2017-02-21/colleagues-mourn-sudden-death-of-russian-ambassador-to-un US reports] say that further study needed to determine the cause, it may involve toxicology, but this may well be routine; there were no toxicology results at that point. Churkin was [http://wordyou.ru/224216-poxorony-vitaliya-churkina-na-troekurovskom-kladbishhe-video.html buried] in Moscow on 25 February. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:39, 28 February 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Israel/Palestine===<br />
*[http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/54483 Meeting with President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas], kremlin.ru, 11 May 2017<br />
*: With whatever said there, this is something more difficult to resolve than the issues we cover. However, historically big part of the problem is artificial, divide-and-conquer first, cold war, bone-of-contention logic to follow. All of that was ingrained in lives, blood, and the beliefs, and not easily reversible. What humans did, humans can undo, but only if everybody is in the same direction and at full throttle. In principle, it may be the time. There is a reason for why Putin is on good terms with Netanyahu, and a reason for a different type of leadership in Washington. For the moment, however, with bacchanalia in the US and Byzantium ways in Moscow, quite hard to see it coming in real terms. Who knows.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:28, 11 May 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===...and Iran===<br />
Moldova president Igor Dodon [http://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/4458282 confirmed] a planned meeting in Tehran with Russian vice-PM in charge of defense industry Dmitry Rogozin who was recently declared persona non-grata by Moldova parliament after a row when a regular-scheduled plane with Rogozin on board was disallowed to Moldova by Romania. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 05:29, 3 August 2017 (UTC)<br />
:[https://tvzvezda.ru/news/vstrane_i_mire/content/201708051818-ih55.htm Rogozin and Dodon met in Iran] - ''TV Zvezda'', 5 August, 2017<br />
<br />
===...and Lebanon===<br />
Russia signs [http://www.mid.ru/foreign_policy/international_contracts/2_contract/-/storage-viewer/bilateral/page-101/45208 military cooperation] agreement with Lebanon; and also a [https://aftershock.news/?q=node/615528&full controversial] international shell gas exploration agreement. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 20:09, 11 February 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Afghanistan ===<br />
*[http://www.mid.ru/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/3322203 Lavrov]: In early September, Moscow will host a regular meeting in the Moscow format. Representatives of the Afghan leadership and the Taliban movement were invited to the meeting. The first reaction is positive - they plan to take part in this meeting. I hope it will be productive. (...На заседание были приглашены представители афганского руководства и Движения талибов...) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:50, 21 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[http://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/3398970 О втором заседании Московского формата консультаций по Афганистану] (On the second meeting of the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan) -Russian FM, November 3, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:15, 3 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
*:''.. Invitations to participate in the event were sent to the participating countries - Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, as well as the United States. The President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, A. Gani, decided to send a delegation of the High Peace Council of this country to the meeting. For the first time, a delegation of the Political Office of the '''Taliban Movement in Doha will participate''' in an international meeting of this level. The agreement of the final document is not planned.<br />
<br />
===Historic===<br />
*[http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_9C935351D7E2443FA1AC49509AC83C7F War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; The Weapon of Choice], Interview with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentin_Falin Valentin Falin] -''Openvault'', 04/07/1986<br />
*:Interesting coverage of 1943 to 1967 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:11, 27 February 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====NATO expansion====<br />
* [https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/russia-programs/2017-12-12/nato-expansion-what-gorbachev-heard-western-leaders-early Declassified documents show security assurances against NATO expansion to Soviet leaders from Baker, Bush, Genscher, Kohl, Gates, Mitterrand, Thatcher, Hurd, Major, and Woerner], National Security Archive, released 12 December 2017.<br />
<br />
====Afghanistan==== <br />
*27 December 1979, one of the first operations of 'Alpha' and 'Vympel' units, a success. Soviet invasion of Afghanistan followed. Eventually, combined effects of invasion, with the other side backed by the West; cold war, economic, ideological wars; and internal rot of the system resulted in withdrawal from Afghanistan (15 February 1989), collapse of the USSR (1991). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 05:36, 8 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
**[https://life.ru/1076504 Life], [http://rusvesna.su/news/1515322139 Rusvesna] ''Ideal operation: how Soviet spetznaz stormed Amin palace in Afghanistan (photo)'', 7/8 January, 2018<br />
<br />
==Government==<br />
In an unexpected move, chief of presidential administration and power structures (FSB, MOD) veteran Sergei Ivanov is [http://tass.ru/politika/3532595 replaced] by a young assistant, Anton [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%92%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BD%D0%BE,_%D0%90%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BD_%D0%AD%D0%B4%D1%83%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87 Vaino], a diplomat, from a family where grandfather was a first secretary of communist party of Estonia (1978-88). Ivanov ''remains on Russian security council'' (and Vaino added, too). Move was [http://rusvesna.su/news/1470998583 explained] by Ivanov desire to serve no more than 4 years as administration chief; he served since 2011. His new role is presidential special representative for nature preservation, ecology, transport. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lq2JbVNSLU Video] of transition announcement meeting appeared, with Ivanov feeling very comfortable with the development. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:31, 12 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
:Some Russian commentators note that Ivanov son has [http://www.thenational.ae/uae/russian-banker-drowns-in-uae died] in a swimming accident in UAE in November, 2014, possibly contributing to Ivanov wish to step down from his current post--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:48, 12 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
Ivanov was interested in nature preservation for a long time. He was on the board of a nonprofit entity to preserve leopards since 2011. In his 2013 interview, he said "with age, you come to a sad conclusion that with cats and dogs it is more comfortable than with some people"; also saying that nothing is really being produced in Moscow, there are just some cleaners, drivers, 'office plankton', journalists + bureaucrats (added in response to further question). He spent considerable portion of the [http://www.rbc.ru/newspaper/2013/10/01/56c0b19a9a7947299f72dcae interview] on leopards and gepards. However, there is a ministry of natural resources and ecology, and a ministry of transport in the Russian government, so impact of a single presidential representative without staff and resources in uncertain. It seems to be an open-ended appointment, where one can do little on officially declared issues and have the ministries as a fall back option; or can be a pioneer/at the frontier, as large portions of the country territory are not developed, largely because of lack of roads. Ecology issues are important in deciding what territory should or should not be developed. It may be also a position on a 'reserve' bench but he can be quickly deployed to a front role if the need arises, say if sanctions and economy pain is suddenly too much to keep Medvedev. This is such a reshuffle where no new independent face has entered the scene (and nobody really left it). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:32, 13 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Peskov 'has not seen or heard' that Russian officials were 'recommended' to bring their children studying abroad and family members back to Russia -[http://tass.ru/politika/3696015 TASS]. Nobody else heard about that, either.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 17:39, 11 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Duma===<br />
According to [http://www.newsru.com/russia/07nov2016/refrainfrom.html media reports], <s> "United Russia" recommended </s> ex-Crimea prosecutor general, now Duma deputy (and [https://www.rt.com/news/195096-poklonskaya-dark-hair-crimea/ eye-candy]) Natalya Poklonskayaa to <s> avoid further media activity</s>, after a sequence of her controversial pronouncements in media. That started with her supporting a request to investigate a new, not yet released movie [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9QESOBmBzE 'Matilda'], about the last Tsar and his love interest, ballerina [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathilde_Kschessinska Matilda Ksehinskaya], on the accusation of 'anti-religious propaganda'. (That would go against artistic freedoms of the film director (Uchitel- a well-known established director) , and reflects general trend of tightening liberties gained after the USSR collapse, and increased role of the Christian Orthodox church in the society. Tsar Nikolai II and his family were executed by Bolsheviks in 1918, and quite recently, 2000, were [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%8F_%D1%86%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B9_%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BC%D1%8C%D0%B8 declared saints] by the Russian Christian Orthodox church). Poklonskaya misadventures were followed by a mis-attribution of a quote from Griboedov's "Woe from Wit" (that used to be part of a school program in Russia, --but her education was in Ukrainian system). It was followed by her calling Lenin in addition to Hitler as villains of the century (attitudes towards Lenin differ but equating Lenin to Hitler would be a controversial public comment in Russia). Those statements interfered with her previous image of pretty but tough prosecutor, with some cult following (in Japanese anime art, references in recent Russian movies, etc)--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:43, 7 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
:Update: "United Russia" [http://tass.ru/politika/3764438 denied Poklonskaya media ban report]--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:57, 7 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Territorial Concessions===<br />
* [https://lenta.ru/russia/2004/10/20/islands/ Amur river islands Tarabarov, Great Ussuriisk], around 337 km^2 given to China in 2004, and following Gorbachev signing treaty on demarcation line by Amur river waterway in 1991 and subsequent Chinese irrigation/engineering project changing river flow<br />
* [http://www.vlg.aif.ru/politic/gover/67697 175,000 km^2 shelf zone given to Norway] in 2010, half of disputed, oil ans gas rich area.<br />
* Proposed by Putin 'Khikivake' (no winners or losers- judo) [https://www.inopressa.ru/article/30Apr2013/inotheme/rus_japan.html explored] by Russia and Japan regarding Kuril islands; the latest is Japanese business delegation [https://rg.ru/2017/06/28/iaponskaia-delegaciia-ocenit-vozmozhnosti-dlia-biznesa-na-iuzhnyh-kurilah.html visiting] Kuril islands (Jun. 2017), to report on possible business development projects. The whole issue is warily watched by Russian 'patriotic opposition' vigorously opposed to further territorial concessions.<br />
*:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:26, 29 June 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Japan? ====<br />
November 2018, renewed talk about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet%E2%80%93Japanese_Joint_Declaration_of_1956 declaration of 1956], giving two of the Kuril islands to Japan; the talk alarmed patriotic opposition which strongly declared an intent to oppose it. Strelkov's grandfather fought in the Soviet-Japanese war of 1945, I recon. Not only his. What will that generation say now, if they may? I guess, they would not rush into it, not at all, especially for reasons of needs of the day, on a weak-footed approach. Will they hold it sort of sacred? Neither, I guess. With something truly theirs, make use (or, sometimes, let go); if theirs jointly, jointly to figure. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:42, 18 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
: +[https://echo.msk.ru/programs/observation/2316456-echo/ Venediktov]: Simultaneously with the statements about the 56th year and about the peace treaty with Japan, very few people noticed that Putin accidentally — he had everything by chance — [https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2018/11/17/vstrechu-putina-s-tachi-serby-vosprinyali-s-gorechyu-i-zlostyu met with the former field commander and now the president of Kosovo].<br />
<br />
===Response to sanctions===<br />
Sanctions worsen economic situation of ordinary people. They are introduced, apparently, in the hope of creating pressure or unrest causing change of behavior or non-military regime change. According to well-known patriotic opposition figure, recently there has been increased serious competition on top between pro-Western oligarchical 'globalists' and 'siloviki' ('force men', military, services, and such; plus MIC and non-globalist oligarchs, perhaps). Consequences of such competition may include defeat of globalists and military escalations in hotspots. Also a softpower version of the same is reported, including anecdotal evidence that a new political association is being created, patriotic/monarchist sort, Malofeev-Borodai sort. I suspect that economic protests will be subdued for a while and visible net result of all those under-carpet movements close to zero, however with a buildup of tensions and slow drift towards global abyss. There is also a potential for rapid big moves, not of a pleasant sort (for anybody) . --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:40, 9 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2018/08/12/the-self-imposed-impotence-of-the-russian-and-chinese-governments/ The Self-Imposed Impotence of the Russian and Chinese Governments]-PC Roberts, 12 Aug. 2018<br />
: Good, well written article. But a bit detached from reality. (1) Western trade is a source of wealth for the elites. Cutting it off needs very major restructuring of those streams, taking years. They want to keep enjoying life in their lifetime, in fact right now, and not as an abstract eventual possibility (2) In case of Russia, not enough is produced locally to cut off oil and gas sales as well as imports straight away. It can be fixed, but it has not been, and is difficult in a crunch. People were hooked up on consumerism, glamour babes, kids yearning Western goods, adults, about the same, China, same thing too. They are kept hooked up, in exchange for letting the governments a slack. So governments are in no rush to change this situation, unless it is up against the wall. But it may get there, into a wall, with a huge recoil, not to be enjoyed, by anyone, anywhere --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:18, 16 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Military===<br />
*[https://ria.ru/20190302/1551501526.html The General Staff of Russia explained the essence of the American "Trojan Horse"] -''RIA'', March 2, 2019. Robo-translated bits below. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:28, 3 March 2019 (UTC) <br />
<br />
:The Pentagon has begun to develop a new strategy of warfare "Trojan Horse", said the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces - First Deputy Minister of Defense Army General Valery Gerasimov. He noted that Russia is ready to respond to this within the framework of an active defense strategy. Its (= US strategy) essence lies in the active use of the protest potential of the "fifth column" in the interests of destabilizing the situation while simultaneously attacking with high precision weapons ([https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Высокоточное_оружие ВТО]-Russ.) the most important objects.<br />
<br />
:The Russian response is based on an active defense strategy that (given the defensive nature of the Russian military doctrine) provides for measures to proactively neutralize threats to the security of the state.<br />
<br />
:Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General David Goldfein, who spoke at the Brookings Research Institute in Washington, spoke about the new strategy of combat operations. According to him, the Pentagon was pushed by “threats” from Russia and China to this. The general called the main feature of the strategy the covert penetration deep into the territory of the enemy and striking not on the strong, but on its weak sides.<br />
*[https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/6178016 The General Staff of the Russian Federation spoke about the development of the US strategy of color revolutions using weapons] -''TASS'', March 2, 2019<br />
<br />
====GRU====<br />
2 November, 2018 Putin [http://rusvesna.su/news/1541171460 proposes] to restore the name 'GRU' (Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces). Current name is GU (Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces). He also praises the service on the 100 years anniversary of military intelligence--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:01, 2 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
22 November. GRU chief Igor' Korobov, 62, died - [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46298959 BBC], [http://tass.com/defense/1031941 TASS] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 03:48, 22 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
:'' BBC's 'understood' is an apparent reference to [http<br />
<br />
===FSO===<br />
*[http://rusvesna.su/news/1542952673 ФСО объяснила полёты военных вертолётов над Кремлём] -''Rusvesna'', November 22, 2018 <br />
*[https://lenta.ru/news/2018/11/22/heli_kreml/ На новом видео с вертолетами над Кремлем заметили вооруженных людей] -''lenta.ru'', November 22, 2018<br />
<br />
===Surkov===<br />
*[http://www.ng.ru/ideas/2019-02-11/5_7503_surkov.html Владислав Сурков: Долгое государство Путина] О том, что здесь вообще происходит (Vladislav Surkov: the long state of Putin. About what is happening here at all) -"Novaya Gazeta", 11 February, 2019. Blog copies: [http://privat-mnenie.ru/eksklyuziv/275-statya-vladislava-surkova-dolgoe-gosudarstvo-putina-polnyj-tekst.html 1]. Translations: Fort Russ, Feb. 16; Saker, Feb. 14, etc. <br />
<br />
;Responses<br />
*[https://izborsk-club.ru/16492 Alexandr Dugin: Putin or Super-Putin] -''Izborgskii Klub'', February 12, 2019. Translations: Fort Russ, Feb. 16.<br />
<br />
;Comment.<br />
I'd say, this is in "not even wrong" category. It is not up to the chief architect of 'software' (soft power/ideology/PR/media) to tell how that this system has to be viewed, or how long that 'software' will last. Immediate question would be sincerity and self-interest of such pronouncements. Ideas-wise, reminds of Zinoviev, noting that post 'cata-stroika' it resorts to some pre-Soviet notions, idealized, not to the immediately preceding period; likewise here, 'deep people/nation' is similar to the Tsar Nikolai I motto, "Orthodoxy, autocracy" (aka sovereign democracy), "peoplism" ('sacred' version of going back to the people, not populism in the preset negative sense). Indeed, as Dugin points out, any genuinely consistent framework is wiped out, and replaces by fake replicas and combinations of things which do not combine, in an art of puppet-mastery. Will that last? Why would it? OK, maybe, if nobody can agree and this is some sort of bad falling trap, hard to escape. But far more likely, either turn to much more robust nationalism, aimed at economic and mental re-build of the country, and quite possibly more anti-Western; or some version of surrender of national ideas to the point of external governance, something like present Bulgaria, Baltics, etc, natural resources/agriculture supplement to the world proper, with all the neoliberal political correctness and other ways and means indistinguishable from the West --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:25, 17 February 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
The future should be up to future leaders, that would be the best way forward, not artificial constructs mummifying the status quo. But there should be measures in effect to prevent strife; - and old leaders would have to be protected. There needs to be natural and bloodless change, to ensure upward progress; and stepping down should not be feared as part of this. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 03:51, 18 February 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
== Economy==<br />
Financial Times: EU blocked nuclear deal between Russia and Hungary [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9a6467e2-c8c1-11e4-8617-00144feab7de.html#axzz3UDFesDDF FT, 12.03.15] . --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:37, 12 March 2015 (UTC)<br />
: [http://tass.ru/en/world/782568 EU: we did not] (this is 'only' about fuel, not the whole project) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:48, 13 March 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
Greece and Russia plan to sign an agreement, with Moscow providing 3 to 5 bln euro financing to Greece, said to be for building gas network hooking up to Turkish stream, with repayment from transit fees[http://tass.ru/ekonomika/1913089 TASS]-Quoting Spiegel. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 02:07, 18 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
:Peskov [http://tass.ru/ekonomika/1913718 denied] the story (the way it was reported at least) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:17, 19 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
7.7.15 [http://www.vestifinance.ru/articles/59685 Saudis to invest up to 10 bln $] into a joint investment fund with Russia. Earlier reports [http://lenta.ru/news/2015/06/16/saud_iscander/ described] Saudi interest in the Russian ' Iskander' missile system. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:40, 7 July 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Turkey is to [http://www.rg.ru/2015/07/07/reg-kfo/turkey.html invest] 12 bln $ in Crimea-construction, tourism, agriculture industry --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:44, 7 July 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Negotiations on Turkish gas stream were suspended for a while; but now a discount sought by Turkey was [http://www.gazeta.ru/business/news/2015/07/31/n_7423753.shtml agreed]. Another reported earlier disagreement is that Russia seeks to have 4 lines built, while Turkey is said to favor just one, leading to Turkey. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:56, 31 July 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Oil [http://www.topoilnews.com/ goes towards] $ 30 a barrel... [http://ru.reuters.com/article/topNews/idRUKCN0UP1Q620160111?sp=true Reuters:] 10 % budget sequestration planned. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:24, 11 January 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://lenta.ru/news/2016/01/27/plan/ RBK learned details of anti-crisis plan of the government], lenta.ru, 27.1.16. <br />
737 billion rubles for structural changes in the economy. Budget and Russian [http://www.vestifinance.ru/articles/64067 anti-crisis fund] money will be used.<br />
<br />
[http://kommersant.ru/doc/2997059 Russia mulls introducing own crypto-currency] (non anonymous unlike bitcoin, for one thing) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:50, 27 May 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Opinions===<br />
[http://lenta.ru/video/2016/01/20/potapenko/ Dmitriy Potapenko interview], lenta.ru, Jan. 20, 2016. Briefly, talks about general problems of running business in Russia. That includes tight dependence of business from government, starting from the early days when oligarchs were 'appointed' by authorities; those were able to privatize major assets, and only small chips were left. Such sort of relations between government and business largely remained, in his opinion. He also highlights problems such as racketeering, tax avoidance, public funds mis-allocation, lack of legal protection for business, and lack of open popular discussion of those issues,-- saying he is essentially alone raising all that publicly. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:36, 20 January 2016 (UTC)<br />
:But there are some successes not from the 'appointed', in technology (e.g. Milner ); some successful farmers; etc. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 02:15, 20 January 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqsZqQr_No4 Economist Sergey Gubanov interviewed by Marat Musin: "Fourth Industrial Revolution: a myth or reality?"]<br />
:Advocates (re) industrialization, as opposed to monetarism /finance-based economy. By 4th industrialization he means technologies and, more or less, automation of production and de-assembly, running full closed cycle. Critical of current government policies, such as proposed privatization of state assets and budget sequester, saving on most vulnerable population groups, science, education, health, culture. Highlights that (1) according to official statistics for 2015, effectiveness of capital investment is (-16) % (definitions =?) (2) net export of goods is about 13 % of GDP --which he links with overall inflation of about 15 % <br />
:Conjectures that recent Kissinger visit to Moscow could be to offer increase in oil price in exchange for compromises on Syrian ceasefire <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:43, 24 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2016/09/28/can-russia-learn-from-brazils-fate-paul-craig-roberts-and-michael-hudson/ Can Russia Learn From Brazil’s Fate? — Paul Craig Roberts and Michael Hudson], 28 Sept. 2016 <br />
:''There is a huge difference between the money created by the central bank and the money created by foreign creditors. Money lent by foreign banks in the form or US dollars or euros must be repaid with interest in the foreign exchange in which the money was lent. Money created by the central bank to finance public infrastructure projects does not have to be repaid at all, much less with interest and in foreign exchange earned by exports.<br />
:Noted: [http://www.global-rates.com/interest-rates/central-banks/central-bank-russia/cbr-interest-rate.aspx Russian central bank interest rate] makes business loans (too) expensive.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:47, 10 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Putin somewhat softened pension reform (smaller age increase for women, measures to protect employment of older workers). There is neither an outcry nor joy of happiness in the public reaction. Both democratic and patriotic opposition offered critical commentary. Pro-government commenters tried to play it up a bit. (No particular sample of this stands out, so staying descriptive).--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 05:15, 31 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Yukos===<br />
[http://www.pcacases.com/web/sendAttach/420 Yukos vs Russian Federation], In The Matter Of An Arbitration Before A Tribunal Constituted In Accordance With Article 26 Of The Energy Charter Treaty And The 1976 Uncitral Arbitration Rules, 18 July 2014 (and currently under appeal?)<br />
*Yukos ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Khodorkovsky Khodrkovskii]) and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosneft Rosneft] (Government is majority holder, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Sechin Sechin] is director) have [http://rusvesna.su/third_world/1427893050 reached a settlement] of all of their disputes. It is said that the settlement is payment-free. Yukos-Russia case is separate from this. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:28, 1 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
*[http://tass.ru/en/politics/845979 Kremlin says measures are being taken in response to attempts to arrest Russian property], TASS (Eng.), Dec 22, 2015. 'Former Yukos shareholders achieved arrest of payments by launch services provider Arianespace and satellite operator Eutelsat addressed to their Russian counterparts'. <br />
*[http://tass.ru/en/politics/846032 Investigators say Tuesday's searches are part of Yukos money laundering probe], TASS (Eng.), Dec 22, 2015.<br />
*[[Russian_non-system_opposition#Khodorkovskii|Russia reopens a criminal case, declares Khodorkovsky arrested in absentia]], Dec. 23, 2015.<br />
<br />
*[https://www.rt.com/business/340321-yukos-court-russia-favor/ Russia wins Hague court appeal over $50bn Yukos judgement], RT, Apr. 20, 2016 (on the basis of lack of jurisdiction).<br />
:[http://www.ft.com/fastft/2016/04/20/dutch-court-rejects-50bn-yukos-claim-against-russia/ Financial Times report]<br />
<br />
===Programs===<br />
Several programs of economic development, 2018-2025 were proposed, includingg<br />
#Liberal/globalist Kudrin program [https://news.mail.ru/economics/29934057/ 1] [http://www.aif.ru/money/economy/kak_kudrin_hochet_udvoit_vvp_programma_reform_ot_eks-ministra_finansov 2] has austerity (raising retirement age) and technology development items<br />
#Businessman [http://stolypinsky.club/economica-rosta/ Titov program] draws attention to stagnation/contraction, calls for financial and legislative support of business. <br />
#[https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3303255 Program by Medvedev government] sees return to GDP growth above world average in the future. <br />
<br />
Economic situation is indeed difficult; some, including economist [http://khazin.ru/articles/179-mnenie-hazina/41334-zapasnogo-varianta-bolshe-net Mikhail Khazin]([http://neoeconomica.com/mikhail-khazin/ about]), & Strelkov, 'panick' a bit raising potential of non-evolutionary or catastrophic change, with little room (or even no chance) to avoid it. It is likely over-panicking; sky is rarely falling down and life goes on. Despite problems, suddenly low oil price, ridiculous situation with credit, etc. agriculture is OK and prosper, so there should be food at least; and buildings and utilities are already there. With non-evolutionary change, what that will look like? Some militarized, neo-Stalinist (at least non-globalist) regime? No good alternative for having an evolution. -Yet something happened suddenly in Venezuela; so, bad scenarios are not impossible in principle; those guys seem to be taking a largely emotional ride with those. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:29, 12 June 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Re-industrialization?====<br />
Many plants were closed, sold for scrap, past 1991; there are long lists on the web, discussed and lamented. (In the West, de-industrialization too, perhaps smarter, with biggest money-makers kept, or invented, but still a lot of real things are produced in China, or Mexico. With huge capital rather sitting in unreal things like iphones or internet shopping or google). There is Russian patriotic opposition talk on re-industrialization. Unclear how it can come about though, with no capital or enough highly motivated idealists to bring it about. Prevailing mode on the top of food chain is still natural resources based. Evolution towards industrial self-sufficiency?--Possibly, but not great deal of momentum going there right now. Oligarchs are into natural resources mostly, and bureaucrats do not make industrial output either. Small business, mostly re-selling, services, or agriculture. Stalinist methods of industrialization are not readily available, even if still imagined. But there are some signs of evolutionary industrial progress, with more things starting to get produced. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:56, 14 June 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Nord Stream 2 ===<br />
[https://www.nord-stream2.com/project/construction/ Constructing the Pipeline] -Nord Stream 2. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:33, 26 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Technology===<br />
*[http://www.moonofalabama.org/2017/08/nyt-russia-stifles-its-innovation-by-pursuing-fraud.html NYT - Russia Wants Innovation, But It’s Arresting Its Fraudsters] -Moon of Alabama, 10 August, 2017<br />
*:It's quite refreshing to see a not uniformly critical article on Russian affairs. What happened in reality is probably messier than a partisan narrative. This company is said to change filter type, from photo-catalyses based (that requires electricity) to adsorption-catalyses based (that does not, or requires less). The company believed their new filter is OK, and did tests to confirm; regulators thought it's not properly approved; but the approval process may be not very mature; and a legal assault by competitors is not out of question too. Some, not unreasonable, article, [https://en.crimerussia.com/gromkie-dela/who-contracted-innovative-businessman-dmitry-trubitsyn/ here] (some strange Honk Kong based [https://crimerussia.com/about/ media company] with a Russian-speaking editor...Funding, backers--no clue. )--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 05:24, 12 August 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Stats===<br />
*[http://atlas.cid.harvard.edu/explore/?country=186&partner=undefined&product=undefined&productClass=HS&startYear=undefined&target=Product&year=2017 Russian exports], 2016 data, Harvard atlas, Growth Lab @ Center for International Development at Harvard University --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:22, 5 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Arts, Sciences, Society==<br />
[http://www.sql.ru/forum/904735/perechityvaya-brodskogo-vot-natknulsya "On Ukrainian Independence"] by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Brodsky Joseph Brodsky] <br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iLLxIdR4dw video, 1992]-likely recorded in the US. <br />
::Quite untranslatable--Heavy, pro-Russian, linguistic firepower ... --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:22, 10 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Very different stuff, Sergei Lavrov-[http://www.1tvnet.ru/content/show/sergei-lavrov-opublikoval-stihi-o-zagranice_31784.html poems about foreign lands]...<br />
:Kind of nostalgic, as if he emigrated ... --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:31, 10 April 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_Plisetskaya Maya Plisetskaya] (20 November 1925 – 2 May 2015), [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prima_ballerina_assoluta prima ballerina assoluta] -Bolshoi<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWqciLh4sDc Johann Sebastian Bach, Prelude]<br />
:Debut-[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC26g0yHz_k Black Swan], 1947. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-AMH_Woywg Dying Swan], 1959.<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsSALaDJuN4 Bolero] (choreography by Maurice Béjart)<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:23, 10 May 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Northern Palmyra===<br />
Norther Palmyra, in Russian literature from the end of 18 century, is a name for St Petersburg, which was compared by richness and beauty with an ancient city of Palmyra in Syria. [http://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enc1p/42710 modern Encyclopedia online (Russian)] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:07, 15 May 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
St Petersburg International Economic Forum ended, [http://tass.ru/ekonomika/2059708 over 200 contracts signed.] [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/02/carla-bruni-dazzles-at-st_n_482971.html Carla Bruni (here with Medvedev, 2010)], wife of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, [http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/20/us-russia-putin-idUSKBN0P00JG20150620 gave a concert, followed by a midnight dinner]. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:17, 20 June 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Literature===<br />
"Authorities do not need un-manageable friends. Authorities need manageable enemies". Victor Pelevin, Lamp of Methuselah or the final battle of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheka Chekists] and Masons, 2016. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:10, 7 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Censorship and state control===<br />
[http://www.svoboda.org/a/28074008.html Konstantin Raikin on censorship in art] -''Radio Svoboda'', October 25, 2016<br />
:There is constitutional ban on [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A6%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B7%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B0_%D0%B2_%D0%A0%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B9_%D0%A4%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B8 censorshop in Russia]. However it is resurgent in the form of 'groups of citizens whose feelings were hurt' (several closures of controversial theater productions, exhibitions, etc). Raikin makes passionate appeal for freedom or art and 'industry solidarity'. His talk proved to be controversial and quite widely discussed, including a [http://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/2016/10/25/662327-peskov-tsenzuru reply by Peskov] (no censorship, but 'if state funds a production it has a right to designate a topic'...), and from [http://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/2016/10/26/662466-minkulturi-raikinu ministry of culture] ('funding of Raikin's 'Satirkon' increased, but attendance is lowest among federal theaters'...). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:43, 27 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Cultural precursors to war in Ukraine?===<br />
Crimea was always present somewhere in the consciousness ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/72_Meters 72 meters] movie, for one example), yet in general before it happened it was quite impossible to imagine. Belovezh agreement trio could not foresee that coming--known from recent [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz3X1uywfgo interviews] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gennady_Burbulis Burbulis] for Russia; with English translation). Yet strangely movies [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_(1997_film) "Brother"] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_2 "Brother 2"] captured some mood in the air back in 1997, time when disappointment in Yeltsin was setting in yet it was very far from a new chapter. Featuring turf violence, strive for truth yet reliance on strength of arms (+ money), nationalism (at expense of 'non-Russian Russians', some more than the others). 'Russians do not leave theirs behind', 'Are you Bandera?', 'and you will still have to answer for Crimea/Sevastopol !' is all there already, with plenty of shooting in all directions too. Strange feeling from seeing that thing from the 90's now ('Brother' in there is more like organised crime/street toughs salutation than when used for brotherly 'non-brother' nation of Ukraine, yet it's the same word). Sergey Bodrov, playing the main character, was a rising film star before he died in avalanche filming in the mountains for another movie. Two short music video clips, perhaps conveying some of the spirit; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqPUL0MLGOY Brother] (St. Petersburg, to the music of "Nautilus' band, mysteriously worded -some Animal hidden by night-possibly either demonic or suicidal in undertones, according to various commentators); [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTiFIdSzaSI Brother 2] (visit to USA here-and a fair amount of pointed. if quite stereotypical, mockery)--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 05:17, 25 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Science/math/Social Science===<br />
<small> Not the focus of this shoutwiki </small><br />
<br />
Mathematician, algebraist and controversial author [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Shafarevich Shafarevich] [http://narodtv.com/blogs/94 died]. Apart from algebra, for a long time spoke on social concepts ('small nation within bigger nation'; 'Russophobia'). Early on, that was understood to be anti-Semitic; in the last [http://narodtv.com/blogs/94 linked] video he argues along the lines of that being russophobic part of intelligentsia. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:17, 21 February 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludvig_Faddeev Ludvig Faddeev], [http://tass.ru/nauka/4051870 died] 26 Feb. 2017.<br />
<br />
===Antisemitism ===<br />
No systematic coverage planned, but once happened to be on this topic now, --it's on the rise, and quite a lot of it in patriotic opposition/Russian world social media. Even those quite rational like Strelkov puts some muted versions once in a while (no clue why, and what to make of Kolomoiskii claim that he 'knows' him to be Jewish--in exact sense unspecified). Mozgovoi also had some of it once in a while; both him and Strelkov in rather mild/muted way, more like anti-oligarchy and pro-patriotism. But there are bad and very bad versions of that too, and volume is on the increase. Some aggressive comments in pro-Russian English-language media are clearly seen. Saker among the leaders here. Recent example, was wondering what that [http://thesaker.is/trump-dreams-vs-trump-reality-hopes-still-permitted/ diatribe] means<br />
:''End what I would call the “dictatorship of the minorities” and replace it with a restoration of the sovereignty of the majority of the American people over their country. The “Rachel Maddows” who used to be the “ideological masters” of the AngloZionist regime would be gently ushered towards the doors and replaced by people most Americans could identify with.<br />
Like, who the hell is 'Rachel Maddows'. On inspection, that refers to an annoying lefty talk show host on one of the US MSM channels (MSNBC). On further inspection, she is Jewish, according to wikipedia ... --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:52, 21 February 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Social Life===<br />
Former holiday of the Great October Socialist Revolution (Nov. 7)<br />
*[https://echo.msk.ru/blog/m_naumova/2087012-echo/ The Russians had more important things to do than follow the iPhone and the tales of Navalny ...], by teenage girl weightlifting champ Maryana Naumova, Echo Moskvy, 6 Nov. 2017 <br />
*[https://echo.msk.ru/blog/corruption/2087946-echo/ 7 November], by Alexey Navalnyi, Echo Moskvy, 7 Nov. 2017<br />
:''...great and terrible day...''<br />
*:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:35, 7 November 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
On this day of 7 November, 2017, Vladislav Surkov (presently soft power adviser to the Russian president, [http://www.nomad.su/?a=3-200505190015 formerly] into theater, business PR, and some army service) writes a piece for RT [https://russian.rt.com/world/article/446944-surkov-krizis-licemeriya Crisis of hypocrisy. "I hear America singing"]. With a plug for US metallic rock group 5FDP and their 'Wash away', a revelation that when old hypocrisy language/mode becomes overused, a new hypocrisy dawns, and a vision of 'the Roman Republic' (='the West') replaced by a 'Roman Empire' , with some 'Tsar' taking over. (No smoking choice details provided, and with Strelkov among dedicated readership). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:41, 7 November 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Personas===<br />
*[https://www.facebook.com/margarita.simonyan.5/posts/10156217691737305 Margarita Simonyan] -''Facebook'' post, 18 April, 2018 ([https://putnik1.livejournal.com/6743364.html review]), ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margarita_Simonyan Wikipedia]) <br />
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imroLDl5rFg 'Red corner with Yelena Sharoikina'], ''Tsargrad TV'' -interview with Konstantin Malofeev ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konstantin_Malofeev#Involvement_in_the_War_in_Donbass Wikipedia]), 9 September, 2017<br />
* Iosif Davidovich Kobzon, 'Sinatra of Moscow', died. He had many titles and awards, including Honored Artist/People's Artist of Checheno Ingushetia (1964), Russia, USSR, Ukraine (withdrawn) , Dagestan, Ossetia, Moldova. He was one of the few who participated in hostage crisis negotiations on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_theater_hostage_crisis Dubrovka] and was one of the few who went inside, returning back with a few released hostages (while Nemtsov did not go, after a call from the president asking not to). [http://rusvesna.su/news/1535633416 Kadyrov] was among the first to send tributes. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:20, 30 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
*:Concerts in Afghanistan in the 80's -an [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vKU83TIHSw old video], an [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKJVBwaVVFQ interview, 2011]; somebody else ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lou9yhHRgFs 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijAHrD4qcT4 2]) performing a song 'Remember Afghanistan', which he [http://rusvesna.su/news/1535632691 sang in Lvov] in 2013.<br />
<br />
===Music===<br />
Somehow, societal center of mass seems to move from the 'Russian rock' (Grebenshikov/Shevchuk/Tsoy) to rap. That's what they say younger Donbass defenders listen to (Motorola), and perhaps civilian nonconformists or tough glamour types (the latter like in USA but without the racial aspect). This TASS test, [http://tass.ru/tests/167 Mayakovsky or Russian rap], seems to be surprisingly difficult. Looking through a list of performers who refused to perform at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashestvie 'Nashestvie'] festival, to do with MoD sponsoring it, I discovered (for myself) this young charts-topping (sometimes) wonder-woman Monetochka' ('a little coin-girl'). Style, uncertain, some R&B here, of Russian sort. <br />
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hJOCCXPwT8 Monetochka- 'No coins'] ([https://genius.com/Monetochka-no-money-lyrics lyrics])<br />
*:Partial 'un-rapping' translation: лофт -loft; Татушки: tattoo (context unclear); Cubase -[https://www.steinberg.net/en/products/cubase/start.html Cubase]; эмси -MC, master of ceremonies/[https://www.darsaal.com/dictionary/amp/german-to-english/conferancier.html conferancier]; проги -programs; слоу-мо -slow motion; хейтер -[https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hater hater]; кипишуя ([https://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/dic_synonims/225672/кипиш кипиш]) - ruckus, bedlam, scandal, from Yiddish חופּות , [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuppah Chuppah], wedding canopy, in slang, they say, a theft assisted by an attractive prostitute --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:13, 29 July 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Opposition and NGO==<br />
===Non-System opposition===<br />
Discussed [[Russian_non-system_opposition|elsewhere]]<br />
<br />
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valeriya_Novodvorskaya Novodvorskaya] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeSBtua3n-M video appeal] to 'Donbass militants'. Had an allergy to her (considering erratic/illogical/flaky). But this appeal is among the strongest of all. "My dear and darling, what is that you are planning to die for? ". June 19, 2014. She was a dissident, starting from the Soviet times, never ending. Died recently. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 03:04, 21 February 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
April 4, 2017. Some turbulence ahead? Khodorkovskiy; anti-Putin themed protests planned on 29 April ([https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B5%D0%BB #надоел]; Engl. version on FR.), following anti-corruption meetings in march targeting PM. Authorities are said to plan anti-terrorism meetings in earlier protest places (media [http://www.newsru.com/russia/04apr2017/antiterror.html reports], 4 April). Strelkov warns on social media, 'in the coming month, I expect very serious events with completely unpredictable consequences. Have reasonably firm grounds for it. No further comment will be made'. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 08:17, 5 April 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Duels====<br />
Russia's National Guards (Rosguardia) director Zolotarev [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VZy8GyO4aI challenged] Navalnyi to a (physical-fistfight) duel, after some critical output by Navalnyi along his usual anti-corruption lines, to do with feeding soldiers here. Navalnyi response is pending; he is under administrative 30 days arrest, and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3N_xZ5nisg cannot], according to [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Соболь,_Любовь_Эдуардовна Lubov' Sobol], respond or even watch the video of the challenge. Strelkov criticized the move: in a physical duel Navalnyi stands no chance, in debates, the other way around; the Highest Approved Duel Code ([http://www.vokrugsveta.ru/article/259345/ Alexander III, 1894]) categorically banned duels between military and civilians (and duels were only for nobility). (uffff...) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:38, 11 September 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Dissidents (historic)====<br />
Anniversary of the demonstration, 'for our and your freedom!', of 8 adults +one child on 25 August 1968 in the Red Square, Moscow, against USSR invasion in Czechoslovakia after Prague Spring events. One of participants, Pavel Litvinov, and a son of another participant-Natalya Gorbanevskaya, Echo Moskvy, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eFtm7vkpPM video], [https://echo.msk.ru/programs/sut/2263156-echo/ text], 24 August, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:39, 25 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Right Wing===<br />
*BORN group. <br />
:[http://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/1695404.html Novia Gazeta, 24.7.15], [http://tass.ru/en/russia/810523 TASS-English] : Ilya Goryachev was given a life sentence in a colony with special regime. He was found guilty of forming an armed gang, the creation of an extremist community, illicit arms trafficking, as well as complicity in five murders: antifascists Fyodor Filatov and Ilya Japaridze, lawyer Stanislav Markelov (who was involved in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuri_Budanov Budanov murder case] blamed on Chechen extremists), migrant Salohiddin Azizov and a member of the gang "Black Hawks" Rasul Khalilov. Other members of the gang have been convicted: Nikita Tikhonov, Maxim Baklagina and Vyacheslav Isaev were also sentenced to life terms, Mikhail Volkov sentenced to 24 years of strict regime. <br />
:[http://www.rg.ru/sujet/3544/index.html Rossiiskaia Gazeta-Markelov murder investigation]<br />
:[http://top.rbc.ru/politics/15/05/2015/5555f33b9a79470fd07a7197 Igor Krasnov] was chief investigator. Subsequently the first investigator of Nemtsov murder; later promoted to the Head of 'a new structure of the Investigation Committee, which will include the best investigators'.<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 02:38, 26 July 2015 (UTC)<br />
*NOD (National Liberation movement)<br />
:Apparently, supported by Duma deputy [http://eafedorov.ru/ Evgenii Fedorov]. <br />
:Poster girl: Marina Katasonova: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=GduzJ8N6f-4&app=desktop rookie reporter-failed video]; [http://photocdn1.itar-tass.com/width/744_b12f2926/tass/m2/uploads/i/20151125/4136668.jpg at the Turkish Embassy];[https://twitter.com/KatasonovaMaria/status/669450779770626050 Navalnyi, interrupted] ; [http://rusvesna.su/news/1438402531 in a locker with Graham Phillips -Nemtsov sightseeing tour.]<br />
<br />
===Dugin===<br />
*Recent piece [http://fortruss.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/enantiodromia-in-russian-politics.html translated at Fort Rus]. Clearly bright and original, but this is an example of excessive theoretical superstructuring going pretty much nowhere and offering no solution. Do not see why is that differences between hawks and doves in Russia are intrinsically much more antagonistic than in the West. Nothing really preventing hawks and doves in Russia to work on a common goal, apart from some constructs in (his) philosophy. Do not think the West is the united land of liberalism, as he describes. People are the same everywhere, and all the issues have their parallels, East or West. Including what he (too briefly) describes under 'bureaucracy', which is of concern, in the new republics and in Russia proper (but not uniquely just over there...). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:29, 23 November 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==='Patriotic Opposition'===<br />
Mostly critical of the Russian involvement in Syria, as continued violence in Donbass and other real problems of Russia will not be solved there --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:20, 4 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Народно-патриотический_союз_России PDS NPSR] (Постоянно Действующее Совещание Национально-Патриотических Сил России-Permanent Conference of the National Patriotic Forces of Russia) (Yurii Boldyrev, Pavel Grudinin,...), allied with the communists in the latest presidential elections<br />
*Strelkov<br />
*...<br />
<br />
;Vladimir Kvachkov<br />
Retired GRU/spetsnaz colonel; charged with an attempt to assassinate Chubais (talked about right for liberation, etc in court; found not guilty); sentenced to a prison term for extremism, preparing armed mutiny; also known for his [https://ekishev-yuri.livejournal.com/310559.html appeal to patriotic officers corps], which calls for a revolution/taking to arms, and includes antisemitic passages (e.g. international globalists are presented as a 'Jewish criminal association', etc.). This appeal was sent for expert evaluation for extremism, but was not found to be extremist; while human rights orgs [http://pravorf.org/index.php/news/882-o-publikaczii-v-gazete-lkolokolr-gvolgograd-obrashheniya-vkvachkova-k-vserossijskomu-oficzerskomu-sobraniyu complained]. <br />
<br />
After Putin submitted a law partially decriminalizing [http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/Document/View/0001201812270078 article 282 of the criminal code] (which was used eg against those re-posting 'wrong' articles on social media, and was broadly unpopular), Kvachkov's lawyers successfully used it to get him [https://govoritmoskva.ru/news/188067/ released from prison early]. <br />
<br />
He would be a notorious /outcast character in the West; but he is popular in patriotic opposition circles. PDS NPSR program had an article calling for his release from prison. <br />
<br />
It is unclear whether there is more to it in Kvachkov's release (why him and now, etc). He may become one of PDS NPSR leaders, making them pretty unacceptable internationally; wonder whether this is the intent, or an accident ? --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:42, 8 February 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Strelkov===<br />
Briefly, compares/sees parallels of developments in present day Russia with those leading to World War I. Critical of at least some parts of the current political establishment in Russia; expresses serious concern, and proposes World War II type steps as a fix... Critical of Russia opening a 'second front' in Syria, while problems in Donbas remain--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:28, 27 November 2015 (UTC)<br />
<br />
28 March, 2016, right after Kerry visit to Moscow, Strelkov reads on [https://lenta.ru/news/2016/03/28/peskov_atack/ lenta.ru] an article with Peskov discussing planned personal media attack on the Russian president. He than relates the famous, nearly-untranslatable piece from novel 'It's difficult to be Gods', by Russian sci-fi authors, brothers Strugatskii, ----the one about Don Reba meeting His Excellency Vaga, all observed by Don Rumata...(with a punchline, 'they did not agree') --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:33, 3 April 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_qmC53-OAI Interview] to a lady coordinator from the so called 'National Liberation Movement (NOD)', made two days prior to elections. On a long side; entering some bits. Strelkov received education at a history and archive work institute, and he takes the view that Russian history is continuous and consistent, from some 6 century C.E. to present day. Main goal of his [http://novorossia.pro/ "Novorossia" movement] is to make sure some historic line is continued, and not become extinct like [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire Byzantine Empire], remaining of relevance for only some dozen of experts. (He fears that current developments are leading towards collapse or Latin American scenarios; accepts there may be good present day developments yet considers only the Russian language as an undamaged heritage). Priorities, top to bottom, are people, nation, state. There are considerable differences in his movement on a particular model of state to admire, with unifying theme of the people/nation (noted: this may be from vague all the way to very controversial notion in a multi-ethnic multi-religion country; exact details are not very clear but policy [http://novorossia.pro/news/odnovorossia/393-manifest-obschestvennogo-dvizheniya-novorossiya-igorya-strelkova.html documents] talk about "Russian World" and that the majority are followers of the Russian Orthodox Church; 'historic union with other major religious confessions' is acknowledged). He also recalls [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%97%D0%B5%D0%BC%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80 Zemskii Sobor] (approx. "Land/grass-root assembly") structure in Tsarist Russia, in existence until mid-17 century, as an alternative to Western-style democracy. In Zemskii Sobor, representatives from different society classes were sent, and as a result, it was not a Western 1 person=1 vote. To illustrate, he makes a point that e.g. voices of academics should be higher than bums from across his street, etc. (Interviewer asks, like Trade Unions?-Yes.). He does not support or plans to take part in present elections, believing it's a show run from the top; in particular links sudden rise of [[Russian_non-system_opposition#Maltsev|Maltsev]] with Kremlin internal policy chief Voloshin. "It is like in the Soviet days with one CPSU party, just now split into several factions", "whoever you choose, you vote for Putin", etc. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:03, 18 September 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
In a rare occasion, Russian prime time TV show talked about Strelkov, to attack him, on Vladimir Soloviev program, with guests [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Kurginyan Sergey Kurginyan] and Alexander Kofman (wiki [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Igorewitsch_Kofman Ger.] [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%BD,_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D1%80_%D0%98%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87 Russ] ). Kurginyan accused him of running away from Slavyansk; Kofman, essentially of causing the war with Ukraine. Strelkov, on insistence of a media personality friend, recorded a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjxNUEVufJ4 video response], telling that Kiev would have started a war (Donbass or Crimea) anyway; and that Slavyansk did not have military significance, while saving the major portion of fight-capable opolchenie from death in cauldron did. He also reminded that other places (Mariupol, border with Russia, etc) were given to Ukraine by others, not him; and that Zakharchenko and Khodakovskiy battalions were not in real fight or unsuccessful prior to his escape from Slavyansk and arrival to Donetsk. He attributed sudden appearance of the topic on prime time TV to failures of the leadership (Surkov), and what he described as failure of Minsk agreements (and, according to him, unavoidable return to major fighting). Because of those failures, somebody had to be found to blame. (As a side angry comment, the issue of all 3 critics 'being of a particular nationality', = Jewish, came up as well, followed by a play-down). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:42, 4 March 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
17 June 2018. Long post of Strelkov on social media on his family tree. This may aim to show that he is not Jewish (as suggested by some, from, in an approving manner, by Kolomoisky to Strelkov's critics on the nationalistic side). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 20:23, 19 June 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Strelkov-Navalnyi debate====<br />
*Live streams: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ckR1IvNeQI Roy TV]; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjbQdbJUibc Navalnyi-Live], [https://vk.com/tvrain?w=wall-17568841_4884871 Dozhd'-VK]<br />
* [http://navalny.feldman.photo/events/46/photo/527/ Backroom photos] (Feldman).<br />
<br />
Strelkov issues a debate challenge to Navalnyi. Issues raised in the challenge: oligarchy (in the context of anti-corruption drive); Western partners relations; fate of Donbass and Crimea; Navalnyi's questions and format choice encouraged -[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhJttthlPDw Roy TV] , youtube, 5 July, 2017--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 20:48, 8 July 2017 (UTC) <br />
*The challenge was accepted by Navalnyi ('I always support open discussions and debates'). Strelkov: according to the latest info, the debate will be held on July 20 on Thursday evening. Specific time will be determined later. The site and the host are selected by the called party (Navalnyi)- they are not yet determined. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:50, 16 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcpZeOmhfqM Navalnyi's] own 3 debate questions: why Strelkov ever supported Putin and the government; why he repeats thesis that the West is the main threat; who shot down the Boeing (Strelkov provided several times nearly identical answers blaming Ukraine for not closing the airspace).<br />
:My 2pence on Navalnyi questions: (1) For a military person, unlike a politician, not supporting the president and commander-in chief is not an option--but a retired military like Strelkov has a choice; (2) is fairly obvious, and mutual,-- isn't the West considering Russia a threat, in real geopolitical terms, too? An answer made unforgettable in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fau5O9SsUWI 1990 in Zinoviev-Yeltsin debate] may still apply here--with the USSR replaced by Russia: ''what do you think, the goal of the West is for (Russians) to have a wonderful life, be well fed and so on? Nothing can be further from truth! The goal of the West is to cause (Russia) to fall apart!'' (3) he gave his answer, see above. Can't help but notice that Navalnyi gives better performance presentation style-wise, good gesticulation, voice modulation, well-paced, staying positive, hammering his points, flattery to doubters, etc... (clean pronunciation, better hair, lean bodywork, etc...) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 04:57, 19 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
*Strelkov not OK with proposed by Navalnyi debate format, with several 3 min long statements on topics and 30 sec questions. 'This is a format of a talk show, not a debate. It allows somebody with well-trained tongue to pronounce few learned beautiful words, and receive back equally demagogic response. We will insist for longer debate format.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:04, 19 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
*Several videocameras were planned, however Navalnyi insisted on the only video feed provided by his crew @ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgxTPTFbIbCWfTR9I2-5SeQ Navalnyi-live] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:53, 20 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Strelkov Boeing answer: 'opolchenie did not shoot down the Boeing, for the lack of means to shoot it down. All air defense weapons which I had in my disposal included five MANPADs Igla and one Strela-10, which at the time of Boeing shoot down was in Zugres and protecting Zugres. Therefore, oplochenie under my command could not shoot down the Boeing, as in the phrase of 'no way'. I cannot and will not provide other comments, for one simple reason that I did not take part in the investigation, and not even interested in it in principle. ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjbQdbJUibc -29 m in this stream as seen now])--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:40, 20 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
:Mixed feeling from the debate overall, may post more later, basically little move from known in advance positions; one not 100% expected is that Strelkov prefers Putin to Navalnyi for the sake of Crimea and Donbass. Navalnyi essentially saying that (if) he is president he will have to solve real problems and the state of affair is such that there is no money for war. He would follow normal Western route, elections, courts, to fight corruption which takes a significant part of overall budget, etc. Navalnyi will follow Minsk to give border control to Ukraine; Strelkov considers current Ukrainian regime a sort of 'nazi-light', hopes for eventual unificiation of separated Rus' branches; argues that fate of Donbass is linked to that of Crimea, following his usual lines expressed in interviews elsewhere. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 18:40, 20 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====Strelkov-Constantin Semin debate====<br />
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFfIf8oP8vk Дискуссия: Константин Сёмин - Игорь Стрелков] -''youtube'', November 13, 2018, 2 h11 min, debate questions provided in the video description.<br />
*:[https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Сёмин,_Константин_Викторович Constantin Semin] (DOB 1980) is a journalist with (quite rigidly set) communist views. The core disagreement in this debate is Strelkov advocating union of all reasonable pro-Russia forces to overcome (hypothetical, but in his view inevitable, sharp future crisis), followed by mixed economic model subsequently (strong state involvement in large industries, + private small to medium businesses). Semin stiffly maintains throughout that 'capitalists' by their core nature cannot be relied upon, and that with them involved all the hardship will fall onto 'workers'/commoners, and that Strelkov model has 'failed' in a number of historic precedents ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavr_Kornilov Kornilov], Chiang Kai-shek, Mussolini, Pinochet). This youtube channel patrons mostly side with Semin, who provides a rather sharp version of this overall line. Strelkov, apart from his usual stuff, adds that for him people are above state, while in the USSR it was places the other way around, draining people; and that strict economic equality was possibly justified in extreme circumstances during wars but later resulted in demotivating significant number of people, leading to disbelief and eventually bringing it down. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 06:10, 16 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
====writings ====<br />
;At a turning point<br />
"4 years after mega-stupidity committed by the Kremlin rulers, we are at a turning point, after which there is capitulation or war. Our 'dear Western partners' have chased Putin and his gnomes to a point after which it is no longer possible to postpone final decisions. The choise must be made ("или - или"): to give up, or to fight seriously, and not just talk. Including by military means (...)<br />
<br />
All vectors I talked about a year ago approached a point of no return, And a decision should be made as soon as possible. <br />
Troubles are unavoidable, and that became to be the case 2 years ago. But it can still follow different scenarios. <br />
And if no decision is made, the events will roll by themselves, just rolling over those who tried not to notice and ignore them" (Igor Strelkov, 25 May 2018, on social media).<br />
: + [https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2018/05/25/americas-fifth-column-will-destroy-russia/ Paul Craig Roberts], 25 May, 2018: a match. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 03:10, 26 May 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Kuril Islands===<br />
Strelkov has been doing single man picketing in Moscow, opposite to FM building, with a banner which said: "return of South Kuril islands is a state treason" (Сдача Южных Курил -Госизмена!). Picketing now ended. By law, others were not allowed to come close, for not to break single picketing regulations, but there was a support group at allowed distance. Support group documented the picketing, in particular. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:48, 25 December 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Strelkov and allies calls for a protest meeting on 19/20 January, prior to PM of Japan visit. Chubais and Navalnyi, on the opposite side of the political spectrum, [https://regnum.ru/news/polit/2548869.html express opposition] too. News reports quoting Japanese officials create an impression that an agreement on southern Kuril islands , based on 1956 memorandum, is in final stages. However, as Strelkov pointed out, 1956 memorandum was aimed to result in demilitarized Japan outside of US influence and bases; that expectation subsequently failed, and clearly not in place today. It is believed that the agreement is largely driven by Putin who had such plans from 2001. Japan initial negotiating position was the return of all Kuril islands. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 07:48, 9 January 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Committee of 25 of January===<br />
*[http://m-kalashnikov.livejournal.com/2569427.html 'Committee of 25 of January' is created]. Strelkov, El Murid, E.Prosvirnin ("Satellite and pogrom" -(wth?)) K.Krylov, A.Kungurov, Eduard Limonov, M.Kalashnikov, and others. Positions itself as a third force to save the country, when the crash occurs. Warns about danger of a big two-front war.<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:28, 12 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Criminal Cases against activists and bloggers===<br />
*[http://narodtv.com/blogs/1 Aleksey Kungurov], charged under Russian criminal code article 205.2-1, 'supporting terrorism' , after blog posts vigorously criticizing Russian involvement in Syria. Some "experts" used by the court concluded that blog posts are supportive of IS, which is banned in Russia, so, by that logic, anything about it outside the official line may be called supporting terrorism. The blog posts were strongly critical, but not supporting terrorism, in the common sense of what 'supporting' will look like. Do not know much about Kungurov apart from him being a 'Committee of 25 of January' member; a blogger/activist from Tyumen. <br />
<br />
*[http://m-kalashnikov.livejournal.com/2908298.html 'Mukhin group'] , Alexandr Sokolov, Vladimir Parfenov, Yurii Mukhin. The first two are in preliminary detention; Mukhin is [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYQOc16yEzg possibly released] under house arrest. From what is known, this is a group of activists trying to have a referendum on a law 'On responsibility of highest authorities'. This group was called extremist, and charged under article 282.2 of the criminal code. Yurii Mukhin appears to have some background of engineering or industrial sort, then turning to journalism. His former public statements (around 2011-2014) were not crazy and had some logical basis, but were controversial. Truing to look up info, I found him [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3vfILuajfU discussing NASA moon landing] (not unreasonable criticism of photo visuals, but also making a further step and concluding that this was definitely fake. That would be going too far for my taste; but not a criminal offense, I gather. On another video, he was doing [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkU39HlPtco 9/11 presentation], in a similar mode: after raising not unreasonable questions, going for a definite conclusion that it was staged). That would be among the strangest cases if the Western human rights orgs will pick up on this; do not know that they did, but possibly. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:43, 29 December 2016 (UTC)<br />
*Kirill Barabash is also in the referendum activist group, but his case may be different. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jkS_xIpRPI Here] is his attorney presenting his case, in Russian.<br />
--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:06, 29 December 2016 (UTC)<br />
*[https://lenta.ru/articles/2017/08/10/sokol/ Активный гражданин За что осудили журналиста РБК Александра Соколова] -lenta.ru, 10 Aug. 2017 <br />
*:Sentenced for extremism. <br />
*:lenta: '' "В диссертации журналиста РБК говорится об огромном перерасходе бюджетных средств при подготовке к Олимпиаде в Сочи, об использовании офшорных схем в «Роснано» и так далее. «Работа получила большой резонанс. На нее Немцов ссылался и другие», — отметил Соколов" '' <br />
*:Boldyrev [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id3xNSCqzwc&t=9m41s interview], 29 Dec. 2017 (a similar statement, Sokolov is on the CP & nats-patriotic forces [https://pdsnpsr.ru/news/novosti-pds-npsr/informacionnoe-soobshhenie_16112017 team list])<br />
--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 04:58, 30 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Reaction to new weapons announcements, Feb. 2018=== <br />
Both pro-Western and patriotic opposition reaction to weapons announcements in Putin's address was negative. It is feared that it will have the opposite to the desired effect. Desired effect is causing serious negotiations resolving vital Russian concerns and arms control matters. Effect feared is further discord (isolation, sanctions, other cold war elements), and triggering expensive arms race, with little economic or political benefit. While supporters say that unreasonable Western policies is what brought things to the present sore state of affairs, with softer methods tried by Russia but not working and ignored, forcing the hand here. (Also, obviously, this is a speech shortly before the elections and attempting to portray things in a strong positive manner, aimed at broad domestic consumption). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:40, 4 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Para-military NGO===<br />
*[https://dailystorm.ru/obschestvo/fsb-nachala-zaderzhivat-uchastnikov-chvk-e-n-o-t ФСБ начала задерживать участников ЧВК E.N.O.T.] -FSB began to detain members of the PMC E.N.O.T. (енот (enot)= racoon)- ''Daily Storm'', November 9, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:23, 12 November 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Sanctions==<br />
...seems to be no end in sight... <br />
:[http://ria.ru/world/20160201/1368508811.html US adds 5 people to Magnitskii list], -investigators linked to his case, Feb 1, 2016. <br />
::[http://bigstory.ap.org/article/00a2f5f0badc4223aac5102695e3c8bc/russia-bars-5-americans-entry-tit-tat-response Russia bars 5 Americans from entry in tit-for-tat response]<br />
<br />
June 16, 2016. Sarkozy, at a press conference at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, calls for lifting of sanctions, changing negative dynamics, -as well as common space founded by European Union, Russia, and Turkey (TV Rain; [http://tass.ru/en/world/882190 TASS]; [https://www.rt.com/news/346879-putin-sarkozy-economic-forum-spief/ RT]). Presumably, Russia is to make the first step and hope for the best according to his follow-up answers.<br />
<br />
June 18, 2016. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Ivanov Sergei Ivanov] (Chief of the Presidential Administration of Russia) [http://ria.ru/economy/20160618/1449128306.html prefers] for sanctions to lasts long as possible since '2/3 of budget income, not oil and gas but other sectors such as chemical industry, experience rapid growth, up to 30-35 % per year', as a result. Article continues to say that counter-sanctions are to be lifted at once if the Western sanctions are lifted.<br />
<br />
[http://prod-upp-image-read.ft.com/40911a30-057c-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5 CAATSA list of senior political leaders and oligarchs] (unclassified part), US Department of the Treasury, 29 January 2018<br />
*Includes top political leadership and (some?) oligarchs worth over 1 bln USD (compare with Russians on [https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/list/3/#version:static_search:Russia Forbes list])<br />
*Asterisk marks those already sanctioned<br />
*[https://echo.msk.ru/programs/razvorot-morning/2138640-echo/ Venedictov] of Echo Mosckvy believes that the unpublished secret part includes names nominated for sanctions (unclear why he thinks so)<br />
*No journalism bigwigs on the list (unlike European sanctions which [https://europeansanctions.com/2017/06/19/eu-court-rejects-free-speech-challenge-by-kiselev-to-russia-designation/ include] e.g. Kiselev)<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:23, 30 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.ft.com/content/5ab46b72-05e2-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5 US Treasury secretary Mnuchin signals new sanctions on Russia] -''Financial Times'', 30 January, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:06, 30 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
:''In a hearing before the Senate banking committee, Mr Mnuchin said it was only a matter of time before the US imposed new sanctions on Russia, indicating that a classified annex to the report could serve as a road map for those new measures.<br />
<br />
Latest US sanctions are a major hit on Deripaska business empire (aluminum (Rusal), auto business), and on Vekselberg too. US investors are told to sell their holdings, + implications for exports to the West, with damages in billions USD. Rusal shares are 50 % [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DaU2qJxX0AAay_k.jpg:large down] on the next business day, Moscow [http://stocks.investfunds.ru/indicators/view/216/ exchange index] is 10 % down. Like them or not, those are major oligarchs controlling quite notable chunk of the overall economy, and affecting lots of small people (like taking out several major systemic Western corporations, for comparison). After announcement, there was immediate talk on serious response (but economic options are limited , in a considerably smaller and less diversified economy). Response talk is presently overtaken by the chemical and T4 attack in Syria and its possible implications of those.<br />
Oligarchs losses, as of today, [http://tass.ru/ekonomika/5108309 estimated] at some 12 bln USD, Yandex, 10.7 % down at NASDAQ. top of the list [https://infogram.com/_/HOPb0vYmal9gV3BOAX3w here] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:27, 9 April 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://reuters.com/article/uk-usa-russia-sanctions-renova/u-s-sanctions-on-vekselberg-have-1-5-2-billion-assets-frozen-sources-idUKKBN1HS0FD U.S. sanctions on Vekselberg have $1.5-$2 billion assets frozen: sources] -''Reuters, 21 April, 2018<br />
:''Assets totaling between $1.5 billion and $2 billion have been frozen as a result of sanctions imposed on Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg and his Renova Group conglomerate, two sources close to the matter told Reuters<br />
<br />
Russian draft response to sanctions law [http://tass.ru/ekonomika/5146405 calls] to allow parallel imports, which means that imports may be not tightly linked with US trade mark owners; details are vague, and discuss some below market payments to trademark owners. That may affect eg pharmaceutical products (sold cheaper than US brands, and similar approach to other products). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:38, 21 April 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://www.crunchbase.com/person/viktor-vekselberg#section-overview Vekselberg] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Vekselberg Wikipedia])<br />
*[http://cyprusbusinessmail.com/?p=64457 Vekselberg BOC stake subject of intra-bank transaction (Corrected)] -''Cyprus business mail'', 30 may, 2018<br />
*[https://www.watson.ch/wirtschaft/schweiz/405622282-gesperrte-konten-jetzt-will-oligarch-viktor-vekselberg-schweizer-banken-verklagen Locked accounts - now oligarch Viktor Vekselberg wants to sue Swiss banks] -''Watson'', 26 May, 2018 <br />
*:Two billion francs of private assets of the Russian billionaire are blocked in Switzerland. Now he wants to take legal action. <br />
*[http://www.forbes.ru/milliardery/362491-v-shveycarii-zablokirovali-1-mlrd-frankov-viktora-vekselberga Forbes.ru], 4 June, 2018<br />
*:Forbes source in 'Renova': around 1 bln Swiss franks 'are at stake'.<br />
<br />
--[[User:Resup|Resup]]([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 02:36, 5 June 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Elections==<br />
===Duma Elections, 2016===<br />
[[File:United_Russia_congress.jpg|thumb|Ruling "United Russia" pre-election congress is opened by its chairman, Dmitry Medvedev, [http://tass.ru/politika/2430548 TASS], 5 Feb. 2016]]<br />
<br />
*"United Russia" pre-election congress is opened by its chairman, Dmitry Medvedev- [http://tass.ru/politika/2430548 TASS], 5 Feb. 2016.<br />
<br />
At present, 10 parties have their registration to stand in elections officially [https://rg.ru/2016/08/03/do-vyborov-v-gosdumu-dopushcheno-uzhe-10-partij.html approved]. According to the latest opinion poll, the ruling party "United Russia" is leading, with 57% of committed voters /39 % of all voters. PARNAS (of late Nemtsov) is approved to stand in elections; however based on latest poll [http://www.levada.ru/2016/08/02/predstoyashhie-vybory-v-gosdumu/ results] , only 1.3 % are "definitely" [https://parnasparty.ru/news/279 voting] for their candidates, while another 5.7 are "possibly" voting. A party gets seats if it receives more than 5% of the vote.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:19, 5 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
19 Sept., 2016. [https://yandex.ru/search/?text=%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B5%20%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B7%D1%83%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8B%20%D0%B2%D1%8B%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%20%D0%B2%20%D0%93%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%B4%D1%83%D0%BC%D1%83%20%D0%A0%D0%A4%202016&lr=104981 Preliminary results, 99% counted]<br />
:Ruling United Russia received 54% of vote, and 76% of Duma seats, vastly dominating in single-mandate districts. 4 mainstream parties are above 5% threshold on party lists districts; no opposition party is over this threshold, moreover even the best among them are below 3% required to qualify for federal funding. All opposition altogether will have only 2 seats, gained in single-mandate districts. (One more self-nominating candidate is said to be of United Russia). PARNAS is getting 0.7 % of the vote. 47.8% of eligible voters actually voted. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 17:21, 19 September 2016 (UTC)<br />
:...and Kadyrov is getting 98% of the vote in Chechnya. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 17:21, 19 September 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Presidential Elections, 2018===<br />
Election day, March 18, 2018. <br />
<br />
[https://ria.ru/election2018/20180318/1516684346.html According] to both exit polls and [http://tass.ru/politika/5043019 preliminary results] (with 45% counted) Putin is winning the presidency after the first round of voting, gaining 74.7% of the vote. Grudinin is a distant second, with 13.7 % of the vote, below his backer CPRF result in the previous elections. Sobchak is doing better than expected with over 1.4%. Baburin (endorsed by Strelkov some weeks ago), 0.6%. <br />
<br />
Polls: [https://wciom.ru/news/ratings/vybory_2018/ VTSIOM ](official); [https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3938847.html Cassad](unofficial). [http://www.levada.ru/ Levada] center not publishing results due to 'foreign agent' status. Grudinin (presumed second runner) needs to make it to the second tour ([https://ria.ru/spravka/20111125/497575502.html ie] Putin below 50 % of those who cast the vote in the first round) to have a chance. There is no low participation threshold for elections to be valid. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:16, 18 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*'''Putin is running for President''' -[http://tass.ru/politika/4789730 TASS] (after hinting [http://tass.ru/politika/4789128 earlier])--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:51, 6 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxaRRbbHnbc Medvedev]: [https://ria.ru/politics/20171130/1509922217.html not me] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:15, 30 November 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:Earlier: <br />
:*Peskov: Putin has not decided yet whether he will run for President in 2018- [http://tass.ru/politika/2624313 TASS]. Too early for such a decision.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:38, 29 January 2016 (UTC)<br />
:*According to Peskov, it is yet undecided whether Putin or somebody else (e.g. Medvedev) will run, as it is too early to tell--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:31, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[[Russian_non-system_opposition#Alexey_Navalnyi|<s>Navalnyi</s>]] effectively [http://www.newsweek.com/russia-bans-putin-critic-navalny-election-president-593687 banned] from running. Election committee chairman [http://tass.ru/politika/4337084 Ella Pamfilova]: by law, because of his criminal conviction he cannot be registered (unless there is some miracle and he manages to appeal the court decision). Navalnyi himself still behaves as a contender, issues a program, has internet media appearances, etc; [https://navalny.com/p/5552/ claims] that European human rights court decision was not fulfilled and so his reinstated conviction is not legal. --Still, the state of play is as Pamfilova says. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:02, 15 December 2017 (UTC) <br />
*:Navalnyi and Panfilova seen in a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6Z6fSEErDk live video feed] of election committee considering whether to register him as a candidate. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:05, 25 December 2017 (UTC) His registration was denied by election committee, the debate/questions and answers, and committee voting is on video. <small>(Time shown on a clock above the committee was consistent with the feed being live . At the same time, I saw some sources reporting that his registration was denied already. That may have to do with resolution to deny was introduced, but it was then discussed and voted on, as seen on video).</small> --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:44, 25 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
* '''Unified candidate of the communists and 'patriotic opposition' '''.<br />
**23 Dec. 2017. Pavel Grudinin became the nominee, with Zyuganov his election HQ chief. Here is press conference [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SRCSSX37Ag video], with Boldyrev, Zyuganov, Grudinin. Boldyrev talk at the plenum [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1i3VrPtvc8&t=3h01m27s here], about common platform of diverse forces. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 08:18, 25 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
**Left forces candidate, Pavel Grudinin, is a fairy-tale-success agricultural director of ex-Soviet sovkhoz named after Lenin. His sovkhoz is profitable and he uses moneys to build high rise housing for workers, kindergarten, playground popular Moscow-region wide, a futuristic high school built using models from Finland, UK, and their own; visited by gov official, who ordered the school planing to be copied midway through his visit. Videos [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGn4NvgoeDk 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tt0ZkWeLq8 2]. Communist leader Zyuganov apparently supported Grudinin as a joint candidate of left, patriotic, and communist forces, but their is no decision yet, decision will be taken at CP plenum on Saturday, 23 December. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:07, 22 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
**May, 2017. Gennady Zyuganov, long time communist leader, <s> [http://www.mk.ru/politics/2017/05/04/zyuganov-ne-isklyuchil-chto-budet-ballotirovatsya-v-prezidenty-rossii.html may run again]. Announcement is significant since </s> Yuri Boldyrev was [http://yuriboldyrev.ru/news/video0316/ hoping] to have a unified candidate --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:17, 5 May 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[http://www.mk.ru/politics/2017/05/04/zhirinovskiy-putin-mozhet-ne-poyti-na-prezidentskie-vybory2018.html Zhirinovskii] will run for the 6th time, offers a sly inside that Putin may not run and name a successor -'being decided by 10 people but no decision yet'.<br />
:Entertainer-in-chief has lots of prime TV time courtesy of Vladimir Soloviev et al; here losing a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMRx9Ur10WI TV debate battle] to a geophysicist-turned-to-drama-theater politologist Sergey [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8F%D0%BD,_%D0%A1%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B5%D0%B9_%D0%95%D1%80%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87 Kurginian] ( = Nationalsozialismus vs drama-enhanced soft power).<br />
<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:16, 5 May 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
*Ksenia Sobchak announces plans to run for president, and positions herself as 'a candidate against all' ('against all'- an option on old election ballots, subsequently removed) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=he68RC4f24k video], October 18, 2017<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yw5tn5RAJc Comments by]: Vladimir Putin (politically correct), Vladimir Zhirinovsky (negative), Alexey Navalnyi (strongly negative, both for political disagreement --she is said to advocate paid education and health care, raising retirement age, and, maybe his main real reason, --for being the 'elections spoiler') ; + a businessman Evgenii Chichvarkin ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=OrFdl8oV73s politically incorrect]) . --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:26, 20 October 2017 (UTC)<br />
:Off to a bad start, all but eliminating chances (if there were any to begin with). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdNcfW4BCiA Answering on Crimea], question, "according to international law, Crimea is Ukrainian. Anything else, let's discuss it'. The answer was heavily criticized, contrasted with Anatoly Sobchak much sober and nuanced [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heXNOGW5IH4 answer]. She keeps behaving as in show-biz, throwing out controversial assertions, like more NATO and sanctions please, without any reverence to her supposed subjects standing on this, which may be at some 80% against; just running with her different views, she does not even attempt to convince others to change theirs,-- an affront but not a leadership. That may raise her show-womanship ratings but is not something you do to get elected. At the same time, lots of her earlier, Paris Hilton-style naughty video episodes became abundant--not something likely to be viewed positively for a real presidential candidate in Russia. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 03:51, 26 October 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Ksenia Sobchak walks in Grozny, Chechnya. Some local men are telling her that they are not happy to see her coming ('coffee is not good for horses' comment made, etc)- ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCKvoLuJPOU video]). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 01:44, 29 January 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[https://2018.yavlinsky.ru/sign/ Yavlinsky] (Yabloko) is running, as usual. Pro-Western type, and in practice centered around Yavlinsky in person (whose last name is rooted in ''appearance'', like in Appearance of the Christ to the People). Attempts of other pro-Western liberal parties to have a coalition with Yabloko so far all failed, as Yavlinsky wants to run for president all by himself, so far getting somewhere in the few percents of the vote scale, just marginally better than his potential pro-Western allies--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:25, 15 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*'National Patriotic forces of Russia' jointly with 'People's Leaders' (Strelkov among those) [http://pdsnpsr.ru/news/novosti-pds-npsr/informacionnoe-soobshhenie_16112017 announced] 5 candidates, and expressed some hope of having a joint candidate with communists ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Kvachkov Kvachkov] among the 5 is a mistake, as some of them themselves admit). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:44, 17 November 2017 (UTC)<br />
*:(Grudinin, above): Not in opposition enough for Strelkov, who suspended his membership in People's Leaders till full clarification of Grudinin & co standing, complaining that Boldyrev and Grudinin talks at the CP plenum were not discussed with him and that he does not share stated positions. Believes that his decision would not be too much of a loss to the People's Leaders. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:13, 25 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Regional===<br />
====Chechnya Elections====<br />
Kadyrov term is [http://chechnya.gov.ru/page.php?r=126&id=17542 set to expire] in April, 2016. New elections will be held on the [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%95%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9_%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%8C_%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8F_18_%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82%D1%8F%D0%B1%D1%80%D1%8F_2016_%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B0 national election day], 18 Sept. 2016. In the meantime, it is believed that Kadyrov will be appointed acting head, but that was called too early to discuss by Peskov. Kadyrov stated that future Chechnya leadership is up to the President of Russia to decide first. <br />
:It is said in the news that the leader of Chechnya will be again called Chechnya president, back from the current head of Chechnya; head of Chechnya is the term used in the current constitution of 2003.<br />
<br />
Mixed message from Kadyrov so far, [http://rusnovosti.ru/posts/409863 ready to serve] if ordered to do so, but time may be up and [http://ria.ru/politics/20160227/1381183464.html another person needed], saying that 'my time has passed. There are so many successors in the team, there are very good specialists'. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:46, 27 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Putin appointed Kadyrov acting head of Chechnya, till elections in September 2016, expressing hope that Kadyrov will participate in those elections and that voters in Checnya will appreciate what he has done for the Checnya republic -[http://tass.ru/politika/3121489 TASS]--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:16, 25 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
:[http://echo.msk.ru/news/1736170-echo.html Echo Moskvy] copies, not providing an immediate comment ...<br />
<br />
====Tula region====<br />
[https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%94%D1%8E%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BD,_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B9_%D0%93%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B4%D1%8C%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87 Alexey Diumin] (Hero of Russia, leutenant-general, said to organize Yanukovich extraction and Crimea operation-[http://fakty.ua/212351-byvshij-oficer-gru-aleksej-dyumin-otricaet-svoe-uchastie-v-organizacii-pobega-v-rossiyu-viktora-yanukovicha which he denies]) was appointed acting governor of Tula region. Some [http://mirnov.ru/rubriki-novostey/politika/aleksei-dyumin-novyi-preemnik-putina.html speculated] that he may be groomed for a future leadership role ([http://www.svoboda.org/content/transcript/27532460.html also rfe/rl]).<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:31, 10 February 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Local Elections===<br />
*Early election in a small, elitist village of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barvikha Barvikha], in Moscow region, was cancelled after a protest by Alexey Navalnyi anti-corruption foundation candidates. They complained ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvbVC1cLusI video] ) that there was an unusually high volume of outsiders casting early vote, about 1/4 of total expected number of voters a few days prior to the voting itself (just 189 such early votes were cast, but the number of voters is small as well). It was said that absentees votes were cast by migrants, multiply registered at the same addresses shortly before the vote. New Russia's elections committee head [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ella_Pamfilova Ella Pamfilova], formerly Russia's Commissioner for Human Rights, was sharply criticized by Navalnyi and opposition for her handling of election complaints; but eventually she sided with the opposition in cancelling early election. New election will be scheduled in about half a year time.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:47, 20 April 2016 (UTC)<br />
*Alexey Navalnyi, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjmLR5TzLDA 'why the hell we need such elections?'] - ''youtube'', 19 July, 2017 (with English subs, multimedia-enhanced). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:01, 20 July 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Sci-Tech ==<br />
(Occasional rare entries only)<br />
<br />
Proton launch, Mars mission, Russia -EU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdRlu-PYNJA live] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqJ9d-YMNVo recording] --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:02, 14 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Soiuz 2.1a rocket [http://tass.ru/kosmos/3240883 launched] satellites from a new space launch site "Vostochnyi" , just build recently despite difficult economic conditions, and located in Russia, as opposed to Baikonur, located in Kazakhstan. (Launch was delayed by a day; Putin stayed) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:03, 28 April 2016 (UTC)<br />
:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucDPhvnfbbI Video 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilQ7Ui4vljM video 2.]<br />
<br />
==In the news ==<br />
Lesin: <br />
:(1) [http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/10/mikhail-lesin-blunt-force-trauma-death-washington-dc-vladimir-putin died of blunt blow to the head] :(2) according to a friend had previous serious spine injury and many follow-up surgeries as a result; and is said to have a drinking bout on the eve of his death- [http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2935611 Kommersant.ru] <br />
:(3) also, according to [http://lenta.ru/news/2016/03/12/lesinpassport/ lenta.ru] and Navalnyi, border control records appear to show that somebody used Lesin passport to leave USA 40 days after his reported death (as there is departure entry on December 15, 2015, while the death occurred on November 5, 2015).<br />
::However, it was [http://www.newsru.com/world/13mar2016/lessin.html explained] that the departure record was made by the authorities to close non-immigrant visa (said to be a standard practice), and does not mean physical departure<br />
: --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 13:31, 12 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
30.3.2016 IS claimed [http://ria.ru/incidents/20160330/1399776987.html responsibility] for IED explosion in Dagestan, Russia. Two Russian MOI trucks were hit, one policeman was killed, two were wounded.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:44, 30 March 2016 (UTC)<br />
===FlyDubai crash.=== <br />
[[Talk:FlyDubai_Crash|moved]]<br />
<br />
===Media===<br />
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37677020 Russia Today: NatWest 'freezes bank accounts' in UK]-BBC, October 17, 2016<br />
:''Margarita Simonyan tweeted: "They've closed our accounts in Britain. All our accounts. 'The decision is not subject to review.' Praise be to freedom of speech!"<br />
*[https://www.rt.com/news/363013-rt-uk-accounts-blocked/ RT bank accounts blocked in UK – editor-in-chief]-RT, October 17, 2016<br />
:''Our accounts in Britain have been blocked. All of them. ‘Decision not to be discussed’. Hail to freedom of speech!” RT's editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan said on her Twitter account.<br />
<br />
:What? Mutiny on that ship? OK, they will close their bank account in that one particular bank group (they posted it) in 2 months from now, and return the money by check if alternative banking is not found. So good for them, means they got some money, and are not about to loose them as a result of whatever is going on here. (What's 'freedom of speech'?)--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:52, 17 October 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Journalists===<br />
Vladimir Vladimirovich Pozner, of [http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/shows/pozner-donahue Donahue-Pozner] fame, has a largely independent 1-on-1 talk [http://pozneronline.ru/ show] on the main TV Channel 1. <br />
*Here on 24 March 2010 he interviews Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, during her visit to Moscow to see Pres. Medvedev. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8PZTd1Nsms Part 2 of 5 video] starts with her answering viewer question on comparing media in USA and Russia. <br />
*(2015) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j6MH42ebr0 Interviews] mainstream conservative (aka 'reactionary') Russian MP [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irina_Yarovaya Irina Yarovaya], a prosecutor by background, and an author of several controversial laws seen as limiting civil liberties and public discourse ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarovaya_Law wiki]). In the interview, she goes on offensive, denies information of Pozner sources and denies and clarifies wiki account of her election history (she was in the top 3 on United Russia party list in Kamchatka, but only her out of those 3 ended up becoming MP; the top of the list was the governor of Kamchatka). They go on to discuss defamation law, with Yarovaya attacking Pozner for statements made in his book (and outside of Pozner line of questioning), essentially claiming that those are russophobic. Pozner points out that Yarovaya in one of her statements blamed political opponents for being akin to terrorists and funded from the same source; Yarovaya counters that her statements is an opinion, not defamation, while those of Pozner are disrespectful of Russia and Russian Christianity (implying that those are unacceptable). Interviews turns nasty at this point, with Yarovaya raising the issue of Pozner having foreign citizenships, and not an ethnic Russian (Pozner is Jewish). --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:33, 7 January 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Terrorist attack, St. Petersburg, Apr.4, 2017 ===<br />
*Breaking, and footage from the scene ([http://rusvesna.su/news/1491222417 Rusvesna])([http://www.interfax.ru/photo/3267/34534 Interfax-more photos])([http://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3335784.html Cassad-photos]).<br />
*11 killed, 45 wounded ([http://tass.ru/proisshestviya/4149946 TASS]).<br />
*Second attack is said to fail or was prevented ([http://www.interfax.ru/russia/556676 media reports])(said to be disarmed IED [https://pp.userapi.com/c639921/v639921439/11d1b/9kCU4MbbJf8.jpg photo])<br />
*[http://www.interfax.ru/russia/556701 Interfax]: Islamist suicide bomber from a Middle Asian republic is a suspect. Another bearded man whose photo appeared in the media turned up at a police station to claim his innocence. <br />
*It is [http://rusvesna.su/news/1491255058 said] that services had information on IS-linked attack being prepared, but information was incomplete.<br />
*Rumors on social media on Ukrainian connection: [http://rusvesna.su/news/1491247505 likely fake]. <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 22:24, 3 April 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Rosoboronexport delegation chief robbed in France===<br />
But his woman bodyguard single-handedly gets his bag back from 50 assailants. Or is it other way around? But eventually they got the bag; police showed up and saved them, or maybe the attackers from them as Russian users think. 4 attackers were arrested.<br />
*[http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2017/06/21/97001-20170621FILWWW00384-seine-saint-denis-un-officiel-russe-agresse.php Seine-Saint-Denis: un officiel russe agressé] - Le Figaro.fr avec AFP , 21 June, 2017<br />
*[http://www.lepoint.fr/faits-divers/saint-denis-des-russes-poursuivent-leurs-voleurs-presumes-jusque-dans-leur-cite-21-06-2017-2137173_2627.php#section-commentaires Saint-Denis : une garde du corps russe tient tête à 50 jeunes de cité] - Le Point.fr, 21 June, 2017<br />
*[http://rusvesna.su/news/1498138216 Двое против пятидесяти: французов шокировала погоня русских за напавшими на главу «Рособоронэкспорта»] -Rusvesna, 22 June, 2017<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:33, 22 June 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Skripal' ? ===<br />
Early entries here, for updates see [[Poisoning_of_Sergei_Skripal|Poisoning of Sergei _Skripal]] and [[Talk:Poisoning_of_Sergei_Skripal|talk]]<br />
<br />
*[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/05/alleged-former-russian-spy-critically-exposure-unknown-substance/ Russian spy fighting for life after being 'poisoned' by unknown substance in Salisbury ] -''Telegraph'', March 5, 2018<br />
*: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fentanyl Fentanyl] ?<br />
*[http://www.interfax.ru/russia/602574 Луговой прокомментировал сообщения об отравлении Скрипаля в Великобритании] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrey_Lugovoy Lugovoy] commented on reports about the poisoning of Scripal in the UK)-''Interfax'', March 6, 2018<br />
--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:00, 6 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
If it's Fentanyl, it's a strong synthetic opioid anesthetic, and can be in both recreational and medical use. Anybody could do it (e.g. Ukrainian nationalists or whoever else). But a case it is 'Putin' is [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43303651 immediately made], along the lines Livinenko+Fentanyl use by Russian security during [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_theater_hostage_crisis Dubrovka siege] in Moscow + his own words expressing fear, and since this is an anesthetic he can also wake up and, maybe, make another accusation (or maybe not). It is [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43303651 said] that scientists at Porton Down are studying the "unknown substance"; fine. It is not clear what's going on, but IMO it is unlikely that Russian services will do it on the eve of elections + everything else going on lately against a person of no present danger and keeping a low profile, it is more likely somebody is trying to play out known past events for own benefit here. But we will see, not much to go by so far --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 20:30, 6 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
: Russian spy poisoned by fentanyl? A few hours later fear of fentanyl used to [https://www.coindesk.com/crypto-exchange-creating-wallet-blacklist-to-fight-fentanyl-crisis/ attack cryptocurrencies.] A coincidence? -- [[User:Petri Krohn|Petri Krohn]] ([[User talk:Petri Krohn|talk]]) 22:42, 6 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43323847 'Nerve agent 'used to try to kill' ex-spy'] -''BBC'', March 7, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 17:43, 7 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
<br />
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43402506 Russian spy: UK to expel 23 Russian diplomats]-''BBC'', March 14, 2018<br />
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43440992 Spy poisoning: Russia to expel 23 British diplomats]-''BBC'', March 17, 2018<br />
*[http://tass.ru/politika/5039395 TASS]: British consulate in St. Petersbourg to be closed, activity of the [https://www.britishcouncil.ru/ British council] in Russia will be stopped.<br />
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99imLk-8TLU Russia: British ambassador summoned to Moscow's Foreign Ministry] (video, ambassador statement to the press), March 17, 2018 <br />
: --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 08:36, 17 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Nikolai Glushkov ===<br />
[https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/13/russian-exile-nikolai-glushkov-found-dead-at-his-london-home Russian exile Nikolai Glushkov found dead at his London home] -''Guardian'', March 13, 2018<br />
:''A Russian exile who was close friends with the late oligarch Boris Berezovsky has been found dead in his London home, according to friends. Nikolai Glushkov was discovered by his family and friends late on Monday night, aged 68. The cause of death is not yet clear. One of his friends, the newspaper editor Damian Kudryavtsev, posted the news on his Facebook page.'' --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:40, 13 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[https://www.obozrevatel.com/abroad/umer-kak-boris-chto-izvestno-o-zagadochnoj-smerti-druga-berezovskogo.htm "Умер, как Борис": что известно о загадочной смерти друга Березовского] (Died like Boris: what is known about mysterious death of the friend of Berezovsky), with old photos, ''Obozrevatel'', March 14, 2018<br />
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43433552 Murder inquiry over Russian's London death] -''BBC'', March 16, 2018<br />
*:''UK police have launched a murder investigation after the death of Russian businessman Nikolai Glushkov in south-west London. A post mortem revealed Mr Glushkov, whose family has been informed, died from "compression to the neck".<br />
*:''Meanwhile, Russia's investigative committee has said it has opened a criminal case investigation into "the murder" of Mr Glushkov and the "attempted murder" of Yulia Skripal.<br />
**Linked by BBC, a Steelesquish opus [https://www.buzzfeed.com/heidiblake/from-russia-with-blood-14-suspected-hits-on-british-soil 'From Russia With Blood'] -''BuzzFeed'', June 15, 2017<br />
*:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]])17:18, 16 March 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
=== Sukhoi SuperJet crash ===<br />
*Bouncing off landing strip, catching fire on the next contact -[https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=DKtznRnQWXA video], youtube, May 5, 2019<br />
*End of landing, evacuation, firefighters arrival (1.5-2 min) [https://echo.msk.ru/blog/echomsk/2420589-echo/ Echo Moskvy], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfHg0O3tHhc video].<br />
*[https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/4967936.html Captain Denis Evdokimov descries events], apparently lightning strike followed by electronics problems (controls and communications). Cassad, May 5, 2019<br />
*Latest estimate is 41 dead<br />
*More related posts on Cassad, Echo Moskvy,etc<br />
--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 21:40, 5 May 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Legal==<br />
=== Magnitsky Act ===<br />
*[http://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-usa-rights-factbox-idUSBRE93B16420130412 "Factbox ]: Who's who on the U.S. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Magnitsky Magnitsky] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnitsky_Act#Individuals_affected list]" , Reuters, Apr 12, 2013. <br />
: 8 names out of 18 on the list explained; the last two are not related to Magnitsky case.<br />
*[http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/04/13/a-guide-to-the-russian-officials-on-the-u-s-magnitsky-list/ "A guide to the Russian officials] on the U.S. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnitsky_Act#Individuals_affected Magnitsky list]" , by Elias Groll, Foreign Policy, April 13, 2013 <br />
:At the bottom of the list, one "foot soldier" -"Interior Ministry operative who participated in the raid", and four "judges tasked with ruling on the Magnitsky case."<br />
<br />
*"[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Browder Bill Browder] [http://www.billbrowder.com/bio (bio)] Forces Cancellation of Film Critical of Him Minutes Before Screening in Brussels" , by [http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/empty-seat-william-browder-once-again-takes-charge-european-parliament/ri14127 Gilbert Doctorow, Russia Insider], 29 April 2016<br />
:No comment on the film before seen the film. Serious evidence is good enough in PDF or MS Word, does not have to be in video format. Andrei Nekrasov has talent, had important and emotionally powerful documentary footage in the past, on the side of opposition. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:09, 29 April 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Nekrasov is a blast... [https://www.bitchute.com/video/lQ3qEwX66pIL/ video]. As he was with Politkovskaya and Litvinenko footage... (I am not commenting on merits or demerits of volumes of stuff I have not seen...) --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 02:02, 23 July 2018 (UTC)<br />
: Seen the film today as well (thanks PL). No wonder Browder did everything to keep it from public view. But this is now blowing up, with Putin mentioning it in Helsinki, btw a day after Nekrasov published [https://www.heise.de/tp/features/Bill-Browder-und-seine-Geschichte-vom-Tod-des-angeblichen-Whistleblowers-Magnitski-4108672.html a very detailed piece] about the content of the film and its suppression on a German website read by a lot of influential people. One of the funniest moments for me was the visit to Marieluise Beck ... she is such a tool. Unbelievable. Hopefully she will be asked about her reaction to the movie... --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 02:32, 23 July 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
:: The ''telepolis'' article has now been [https://andreinekrasov.livejournal.com/6763.html translated into English]. --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 20:12, 21 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
: The link lasted longer than expected but now it's dead. Philip Giraldi and his spook friends are taking care that a working copy stays available embedded in his article [http://www.unz.com/pgiraldi/is-bill-browder-the-most-dangerous-man-in-the-world/ here] (See comment 110/111). --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 17:10, 28 July 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
: As the cat was out of the bag anyway, the authors have now [https://vimeo.com/ondemand/themagnitskyact released] the film for public viewing on vimeo on demand (not available in countries where TV stations have the transmission rights, i.e. Germany, Austria, France and Finland). Quote [https://twitter.com/TorsteinGrude/status/1027483681399681024 Come hell or high water]. Of course they fear that Browder is now coming after them, so this should get as much publicity as possible quickly. --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 17:13, 9 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
: It took almost a month, but then vimeo [https://www.facebook.com/PirayaFilm/posts/2078202778866059 caved in] to Browder's machinations and banned the film for "defamation". Today Nekrasov tweeted that it is now viewable on a dedicated website [http://www.magnitskyact.com/ www.magnitskyact.com]. Good move. Apparently with the same country restriction as before, though. --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 01:59, 22 September 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
Someone led Browder in to the European Parliament where he was asked about Nekrasov's film and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjXziG-I74c this] was his response. --[[User:CE|CE]] ([[User talk:CE|talk]]) 17:43, 30 January 2019 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Corruption cases===<br />
*[http://tass.com/society/902502 Dmitri Zakharchenko], a high-ranking official from the anti-corruption department of Russia’s Ministry of Interior Affairs, was arrested in September, 2016 Large sum of money was found and confiscated, which some [http://tass.ru/proisshestviya/3620934 media sources (referred to by TASS)] put at 475 mln USD in total, It was discussed that this large amount possibly belong to several people ([https://www.google.com/search?q=obshak obshak], in Russian criminal lingo).--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:34, 15 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*15 Nov. 2016. One of highly visible and important ministers, minister of economic development of Russia Alexey Ulyukaev ([https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A3%D0%BB%D1%8E%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B5%D0%B2,_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B9_%D0%92%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87 wiki, Rus.] , [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexey_Ulyukaev wiki, Eng.]), was arrested for allegedly receiving a (staged by investigators) bribe of 2 mln $ from the oil company Rosneft (majority government owned, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Sechin Igor Sechin] is CEO). The payment is said to be for a positive evaluation of Rosneft acquisition of 50% share of another oil company [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashneft Bashneft']. <br />
**Ulyukaev denied charges. Ulyukaev has academic distinctions (doctor of economic sciences -awarded in Russia and France, professor. He started work in the government with Yegor Gaidar team in 1991, Yeltsin-Bill Clinton era, and so is viewed to be in the pro-Western globalists camp; while Sechin is in the conservative, 'siloviki' (security and military) camp. Uliukaev was involved ([https://sputniknews.com/europe/201512181031952746-ulyukaev-eu-ukraine-agreement/ Sputnik]; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine%E2%80%93European_Union_Association_Agreement#Implementation_schedule wiki]) in negotiations on economic issues related to economic consequences of Ukraine association agreement with EU and Russian objections raised. <br />
**Insiders [http://www.newsru.com/russia/15nov2016/ulyukaev_55.html expressed] surprise and questioned the developments, e.g. Alexander Shokhin, president of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, pointed out that the acquisition of Bashneft was approved a month ago and it would be insane to demand money after that from one of the most powerful figures in Russia, Igor Sechin. Economist Alexey Kudrin [http://tass.ru/ekonomika/3784871 stated] without going into details that there are many questions and an objective investigation is necessary. PM Dmitriy Medvedev [https://rg.ru/2016/11/15/dmitrij-medvedev-obsudil-s-vladimirom-putinym-zaderzhanie-uliukaeva.html called] for a careful investigation too. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 14:34, 15 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
*[http://tass.com/politics/912736 Russia’s Supreme Court overturns sentence against opposition activist (Alexei) Navalny], *[https://codessaver.com/ Russia’s Supreme Court overturns sentence against opposition activist "the case will be reviewed by the Leninsky district court of Kirov due to the new circumstances". "The court's presidium initiated the checks into the case after the decision of the European Court of Human Rights, which said that Navalny’s rights to have a fair trial had been violated". If Navalny is cleared, he may run for Russian president office in 2018; Kremlin [http://tass.com/politics/912800 does not comment] on such possibility. <br />
:[https://navalny.com/p/5131/ Navalny on Ulykaev]: "He is 100% a crook but this is not why he was imprisoned" (says that his anti-corruption foundation uncovered suspicious details like off shore account and high reported income, but that reported details of Ulykaev arrest do not appear sensible). <br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 16:16, 17 November 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Murder cases===<br />
(On one-off, non-systematic basis)<br />
<br />
*[https://echo.msk.ru/blog/echomsk/2257650-echo/ Dmitriy Zakharov]([https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Захаров,_Дмитрий_Вениаминович Wikipedia]): Berezovsky killed Vlad Listiev -''Echo Moskvy'', 12 Aug. 2018 <br />
*Alexey Venediktov: Berezovsky [https://echo.msk.ru/blog/aav/2257964-echo/ did not kill] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladislav_Listyev Vlad Listiev] -''Echo Moskvy'', 13 Aug. 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 10:32, 13 August 2018 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Sports Section==<br />
Normally not commenting, but this is curious: 'Why Russia Makes the Olympics Better', [http://www.wsj.com/articles/why-russia-makes-the-olympics-better-1469220208 WSJ], July 22, 2016. My point here is that Olympics were supposed to prevent wars, not create them. It is very clear that a forceful reaction from Russia to Maidan came in the footsteps of Western leaders boycotting Sochi Olympics; if they would all cosy up there, maybe no overreaction and less tragic Maidan. Don't want to discuss all other aspects involved,-hopefully it's clear where I am getting.-- In Russia, calls to slam the door, remember mass sport (and Stalin), and so on --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 09:36, 23 July 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
[https://ssl.gstatic.com/onebox/media/olympics/photos/o16/live/RIOEC861LVMSB_768x432.JPG Beslan Mudranov], from Kabardino-Balkaria, wins under-60 kg judo gold for Russia, in a match against an opponent from Kazakhstan-[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C3qzR2eyj4 video]. Awarded [http://judoinfo.com/referee.htm waza-ari] by the referee for a throw in [http://www.judo-ch.jp/english/ijf_judge/entyou/ Golden Score] time. Commentator shouts "Yuko!" , as the opponent appears to land a bit on the side, yet it's close to a clean throw, and Golden Score applies (it appears) in any case. Waza-ari that will be. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:55, 8 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
:Street celebrations in Kabardino-Balkaria. Congratulated by the [http://kremlin.ru/events/president/letters/52660 Kremlin].<br />
<br />
Aug. 9, 2016. Khasan Khalmurzaev from Ingushetia [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzCXdEG06wQ won] another Olympic judo gold with the highest score, Ippon, over Travis Stevens, USA in under 81 kg category.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:28, 9 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===Wars during Olympics===<br />
*[http://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/2888401.html Georgia], August 2008.<br />
*Ukraine Maidan, January/February 2014<br />
*Donbass and Aleppo, August 2016<br />
:--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:40, 9 August 2016 (UTC)<br />
<br />
===2018 winter olympics===<br />
Russia is [http://rusvesna.su/news/1512499796 banned] and fined . Some announcement or comment by Putin is expected (various discussions in Russian media included boycott, critical comments on the process -of blaming the whole group without individual evidence sort, and criticism aiming to undermine character of the whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov). No systematic coverage planned, at least for now --No independent info or insight --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 19:43, 5 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
<br />
*[https://russian.rt.com/sport/news/456715-kadyrov-chechnya-oi2018 Kadyrov]: "No athlete with a Chechen residence will participate under a neutral flag. And those Chechen athletes, who by all criteria should be on the national team and go to the Olympics, we will honor them as winners! " --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 23:14, 5 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
*[https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/3855037.html Олимпиада 2018. Позор или бойкот?] -''Cassad'', 5 Dec. 2017<br />
*:A choice between the bad and the worst, but going for the boycott; 90 % of around 300 responders so far for boycott too.<br />
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Some (el-Murid; Sobchak) say, athletes first/fat cats last, go. What about home games as partial replacement? Not ideal of course (less competition, etc), but perhaps some advantages too, more local athletes taking part (more like mass sport), moneys spent inside, may still give prizes, with some adjustments perhaps. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:46, 6 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
Or leaving it undecided, for the committees to figure? It's all quite tricky, potentially interferes with elections --a point made already in the discourse. --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 00:46, 6 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
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According to [http://tass.ru/sport/4787725 TASS], by IOC rules a state cannot influence decision of athletes; Putin [http://tass.ru/sport/4789890 stated] that a boycott will not be announced and there will be no obstacles if some athletes will decide to participate in a private capacity (so consistent with the rules, as presented, and leaving it open for the athletes to decide). On 12 December there will be a meeting of athletes on the issue. What remains at stake, apparently, is level of support provided to those going in a 'private capacity', any legal challenges to the decision, commercial aspects like broadcasting. etc.--[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 15:28, 6 December 2017 (UTC)<br />
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[http://tass.ru/sport/4974829 'The Russian delegation rejects the conscious use of Meldonium by Krushelnytsky'] -''TASS'', February 20, 2018 --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 11:51, 20 February 2018 (UTC)<br />
:Both A and B probes were positive. Probe on 22 January 2018 was negative. Spiked drink accusation was made by Krushelnytsky (after the A probe result were announced, but not the B probe results).<br />
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Russia wins Olympic ice hockey gold thriller in overtime, after equalizing 50 seconds before the end of regulation time, and while Germany had power play advantage. Russian player was booked with 2 m 11 s of regulation remaining, giving power play to Germany, with Russia trailing 3:2. Russian coach switched goal-keeper for a field player; that is a rather desperate move which rarely works, but here Gusev managed to put the puck in from an unlikely angle and 50 seconds to go. All that ended with Russia's overtime win, congratulations from Putin, and the team +the fans trying to over-sing the loud Olympic hymn with the Russian anthem, and over-wave with fans' tricolors the white Olympic flag honoring 'Olympic Athletes from Russia' . --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 12:39, 25 February 2018 (UTC)<br />
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===UFC===<br />
Russian fighter from Dagestan Khabib 'the Eagle' Nurmagomedov defeated ([https://twitter.com/i/status/1048813424392785920 video]), ([https://yandex.ru/video/search?text=%D1%85%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B8%D0%B1&path=wizard&noreask=1&filmId=5797910733391064424 full video]) Irish fighter Conor McGregor. (Subsequently, jumped out of the cage to take on McGregor's sparring partner who he says had insulted him , [https://twitter.com/i/status/1048827372198354944 video]; apologized on the spot and on [https://www.instagram.com/p/Bon6Y-SngU7/?utm_source=ig_embed instagram]). Celebrations in Makhachkala ([http://obzor.io/2018/10/07/na-rodine-xabiba-prazdnuyut-pobedu-bojca-video-81080/ photo/video]). Khabib was [https://tass.ru/sport/5646517 congratulated] by Putin and [https://tass.ru/sport/5646413 Kadyrov] for his victory. Khabib started career in Ukraine-now some in Ukraine [http://rusvesna.su/news/1538908989 claim] 'ownership' . --[[User:Resup|Resup]] ([[User talk:Resup|talk]]) 17:16, 7 October 2018 (UTC)</div>Davidwilliams