RFE/RL Russia Report
08.01.2013
A review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about domestic and foreign-policy developments in Russia.
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Putin Signs Bill Banning U.S. Adoptions
President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill banning adoptions of Russian children by U.S. citizens. More 
Invigorated Customs Union Presents Russia's Neighbors With Stark Choice
Russian President Vladimir Putin's premier foreign-policy initiative, the Eurasian Customs Union, is showing unprecedented vitality. But the European Union says membership in the ECU is incompatible with closer economic ties with the EU. This confronts many former Soviet states -- especially Ukraine and Moldova -- with a stark choice. More 
Russians Made To Wait For Their 'Speakers' Corners'
Muscovites who spent their weekend sharpening sundry rants in anticipation of an appearance at one of two Hyde Park-style "speakers' corners" will have to cool their heels for a few more months. More 
Orthodox Christians Celebrate Christmas
Orthodox Christians around Europe and Russia celebrated Christmas on January 6 and 7 with liturgies, processions, and an array of local traditions to mark the holiday. More 
Russian Police Give 'Snow Battle' Frosty Reception
Authorities in St. Petersburg thwarted plans over the weekend for a massive snowball fight at one of the city's major parks. More 
Grozny Facelift Continues With New Synagogue
Grozny already boasts one of the largest mosques in Europe. Now, the Chechen capital is also due to become home to a new synagogue. More 
‘Graveyard For Animals’: Bardot Threatens Russian Exile Over Elephants
French former actress and animal-rights activist Brigitte Bardot has threatened to join actor Gerard Depardieu in Russian exile unless France halts the scheduled euthanasia of two sick circus elephants. More 
Man Offers Own Mountain Of Proof Against Russia's U.S. Adoption Ban
Alexander D'Jamoos began life as an orphan with deformed legs in Russia but now lists a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro among his accomplishments. He says his U.S. adoption was the key to his success and has pledged to fight Russia's newly imposed ban. More 
After The Storm: Trends To Watch In Russia In 2013
If 2012 was the year that everything changed and yet nothing changed in Russia, what can we expect in 2013? RFE/RL’s Brian Whitmore takes a look at some trends to watch. More 
Ongoing Violence In Daghestan Deters Would-Be Emigres From Leaving Syria
In addition to Armenian, Circassian, Chechen, and Ossetian minorities, Syria is also home to an estimated 7,000-9,000 people whose ancestors settled there after leaving Daghestan following the Caucasus wars of the mid-19th century. More 
Former North Ossetian Mufti Convinced Deputy's Killing Will Never Be Solved
Many have assumed that the killing of North Ossetia's deputy mufti was the work of the North Caucasus insurgency. But the head of the North Ossetian division of the Federal Security Service has cautioned against leaping to that conclusion. And several analysts have suggested alternative hypotheses. More 
A Year After Tragedy, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Is Playing Again -- And Thriving
In September 2011, the entire squad of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey team was killed in a plane crash en route to their season opener. This year, Lokomotiv is back with a new roster of players determined to honor the memory of the old team. More 
Russia's Orphans 'Have Their Motherland'
Russian orphans trained to be slaves in Western lands.... Wait, we've heard this somewhere else. Oh yes, isn't that the plot of the Soviet blockbuster "They Have Their Motherland"? More 
Russia's Anti-Putin 'Singing Paratrooper' Has Car Wash Demolished
A car wash belonging to a former paratrooper and opposition activist was demolished overnight in Moscow. Mikhail Vistitsky, an amateur singer whose anti-Kremlin tunes have become an Internet sensation, believes the move is linked to his opposition activities. More 
Holiday Sobriety: 'There Is No Worse Enemy For A Russian Than Himself'
Russia's chief health inspector, Gennady Onishchenko, is urging his fellow countrymen to lay off the liquor, calling the holiday season in Russia "10 days of horror." More 
U.S. Families Hope For Miracle As Russia Bans Adoptions
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill banning adoptions of Russian children by U.S. citizens. The move leaves hundreds of potential new families in limbo. More 
Send In The Clowns: Russian Lawmakers Pass Anti-U.S. Adoption Bill, Then Party
Russia's upper house of parliament has come under fire for unanimously approving a bill that bars U.S. citizens from adopting Russian children. But the storm of criticism sparked by the bill did not appear to spoil the festive mood at the Federation Council, whose lawmakers held end-of-the-year celebrations -- including a concert and a clown show -- moments after endorsing the controversial bill. More 
Russia In 2012: A New Normal
As Russian President Vladimir Putin's star dims, an era is drawing to a close. But a new one has yet to take shape to replace it. More |
