RFE/RL Russia Report
25.09.2012
A review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about domestic and foreign-policy developments in Russia.
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Russian Lab 'Not Behind Sheep Deaths'
The director of a major Russian laboratory has denied his institute is the source of a smallpox vaccine that is thought to have wiped out thousands of sheep in Central Asia. More 
Georgia, South Ossetia Both Claim Preparations For New Hostilities
Meeting earlier this week with the co-chairmen of the ongoing Geneva talks on the security and human rights repercussions of the August 2008 war, two senior South Ossetian politicians accused Georgia of engaging in a new military buildup that they fear presages a new attack on their breakaway region. More 
Pussy Riot Wins 'LennonOno' Award
Yoko Ono, widow of slain former Beatle John Lennon, has awarded a grant to three jailed members of the Russian punk group Pussy Riot and other prominent activists. More 
A Portrait Of Writer Chingiz Aitmatov
Relatives of Chingiz Aitmatov say they are facing eviction from the late Kyrgyz writer's villa in Peredelkino, just south of Moscow. The case has fuelled concerns that Peredelkino, a cottage complex established in the 1930s as a literary retreat for Soviet writers, is under threat from aggressive construction. More 
The 'Cold War' In The Kremlin
One front in the struggle for Russia is the battle between the Kremlin and the opposition. The other is the Kremlin's war with itself. More 
Kyrgyz-Russian Cooperation 'Crucial'
President Almazbek Atambaev says that cooperation with "the great nation of Russia" is crucial for Kyrgyzstan. More 
Moscow Says USAID Expelled For Seeking To 'Influence Politics'
Russia says it is turning its back on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) from the country following what it says were attempts by the mission to influence Russian politics and elections. More 
Russia Shuts Down USAID Activities
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will end its activities in Russia following a decision by Moscow, according to U.S. officials. More 
The Day That Changed Russia
A year ago, the mask came off. A year ago, a spark was lit. A year ago, on September 24, 2011, one political era in Russia ended and another began. More 
Kyrgyz Writer's Historical Cottage Under Threat In Russia
Relatives of Chingiz Aitmatov say they are facing eviction from the Moscow cottage where the celebrated Kyrgyz writer lived and worked for two decades. Aitmatov's wooden cottage is located in Peredelkino, a historical writers' retreat in the outskirts of Moscow that locals say is being threatened by real-estate developers. More 
Collection Of Tsarist-Era Films Could Contain Some Cinematic Jewels
Cineastes from Russia and elsewhere are licking their lips at the thought of a potential treasure trove of Tsarist-era movies finally being made accessible to the public after many decades. More 
Unexpected Complications: More Heads Could Roll After Gudkov's Duma Expulsion
The removal of opposition deputy Gennady Gudkov from the State Duma for engaging in business activities while in office threatens to destabilize the Russian parliament. Gudkov's allies have compiled details of the business activities of lawmakers from the ruling United Russia party that could force more deputies out of the Duma. More 
Interview: Helsinki Group Head Says USAID Ban Means Return To 'Soviet' Way
Veteran human rights activist Lyudmila Alekseyeva talked to RFE/RL about the likely impact of Russia's ban of USAID on the Moscow Helsinki Group she heads and Russia's human rights sphere as a whole. More 
In Russia, 'Horde' Blockbuster Drawing Tatar Objections
On September 20, Russian movie theaters are set to premiere "The Horde," an epic historical film depicting the Mongol domination of what is today Russia and Central Asia in the 14th century. The film, which depicts the Mongol warriors as brutal and simple-minded invaders, has angered many Tatars, considered direct descendants of the Mongol Empire's Golden Horde. More 
Climbing Kyrgyzstan's Mount Putin
In 2011, Kyrgyzstan officially named a mountain after Russian President Vladimir Putin, then prime minister, in a bid to promote friendly relations between the countries. Putin is now scheduled to visit Kyrgyzstan on September 20. Although he has a history of publicity stunts demonstrating his love of nature, there has been no indication that the Russian president intends to climb his namesake peak. More |
