The intensity of the feeling of complete isolation from the rest of the civilised world is bearing in on Russian minds. Boris Vishnevskii quotes the great popular poet of the 19th Century Nikolai Nekrasov: "There were worse times, but not meaner times." To avert a slide back into totalitarianism with the iron curtain, he insists, … Continue reading Get Rid of Putin’s System Says Russian Commentator

No sane observer of Russia's military operation against Ukraine could come to any other conclusion than that it is a complete mess. Indeed, some within NATO have asked whether this is really the enemy they have for so long been worried about. But for someone to say so openly in the pages of the Russsian … Continue reading A War of Illusions, Claims a Leading Russian Analyst

When Putin embarked on his war against Ukraine no one was consulted, not least Russia's allies in Central Asia, the southernmost elements of which have enough to worry about with Islamic fundamentalists; a situation worsened by the hurried departure of the United States from the region which has loosened the strings that bound them in. … Continue reading Central Asia Does Not Know Which Way to Turn

Introducing measures that will make the head of the Central Bank's hair stand on end, Putin is moving essentially to ensure that business does not collapse as a result of sanctions. Getting rid of inspections of small and medium sized IT companies; simplifications of procedures for public procurement; indexation of pensions; adjustments to the minimum … Continue reading Putin’s Protective Package Against Sanctions

Living in and imbibing the imperial grandeur of the Kremlin is enough to turn anyone's head. It was here that Putin today chose as the theme of his declaration on international women's day the example of Catherine the Great from his study in the senate palace built by her and adorned by a flattering sculpure … Continue reading Putin’s Heroine Catherine the Great

It is not unlikely that the Russian president has assumed unrest at home sparked by his war of aggression in Ukraine is likely to continue in some form or other in spite of the oppression inflicted on those involved. But he is now intending to subsidise the poorer segment of the population as a means … Continue reading Putin’s Insurance Policy Against Unrest

The corpse of Alexander Tyulyakov, a senior manager at Gazprom, was found on the morning of 25 February in Leninskii, a very expensive community in the Vyborg region where houses run to a million dollars. Tyulyakov was a deputy general director for corporate security at the company. The police were called, but before long three … Continue reading Another Suicide At Gazprom

Novaya gazeta reports below that the police are seizing people's telephones to check the contents thereon. The journalist present asked on what basis they were doing so. The policeman told him: "You putting unnecessary questions." Новая Газета @novaya_gazeta Московские силовики изучают содержимое чужих телефонов. Журналист «Коммерсанта» Александр Черных увидел на экране чьи-то обнаженные фотографии и … Continue reading The New Totalitarianism

President Biden's team is determined to reverse Trump's destruction of an agreement with Iran, never ratified, to delay its acquisition of a nuclear capability for just a few years. So determined is it that it is working still with Russia to bring this about, despite the invasion of Ukraine. This could be described as diplomatic … Continue reading Russia, the United States and the Iranian Problem

According to Vzglyad ru, Poland is making available to Ukraine air facilities for the basing of 70 fighter planes.  Bulgaria is offering 16 MiG 29 fighters and 14 fighter bomber Su-25s, Poland – 28 MiG 29s and Slovakia 12 MiG 29s: 450 million euros' worth given by the EU. Vzglyad ru: Украина заявила об использовании … Continue reading 70 Fighter Planes for Ukraine Based in Poland