Weekly Newsletter
26th July, RBC
Perm activist deported from the United States sent to jail
A resident of Perm, activist Leonid Melekhin, who was deported from the United States to Russia, was sent to a pre-trial detention centre on suspicion of justifying terrorism, facing up to 7 years in prison. Melekhin previously tried to emigrate through Mexico to the United States. All this time, he was wanted by the Russian authorities for collaborating with the headquarters of Alexei Navalny (Navalny's headquarters are recognised as an extremist organisation and banned in Russia). A reminder that the asylum seekers from Russia are facing clear danger after deportation.
https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/6884b4ee9a7947815e4d7939
24th July, MK.ru
The problems of reproduction will be dealt with seriously: the government promised “demographic special forces" to citizens of Russia/Russovians
The head of the supreme chamber of the Russian parliament, the head of the Federation Council, explained how the "demographic special forces" in the country's leadership intend to stop the decline in demography. Matvienko made the main thesis of her speech a strategy based on "family-centricity". The "demographic winter" threatening Russia was declared by VTsIOM to be so close that ways to prevent the “frostiest” scenarios are necessary (16th May). ‘Special forces’ implies swift and effective decision, compared with already existing anti-abortion committees, and financial incentives. There are also challenges of housing that seem as the primary issue that discourages childbirth.
23rd July, RTVI
Editor-in-chief of the Baza telegram channel, Gleb Trifonov, was arrested for 2 months
On the morning of July 22, searches were carried out in the Moscow editorial office of Baza and in the apartment of the editor-in-chief. The security forces seized documents, work and personal equipment of journalists, detained five employees of the publication and Trifonov. The Investigative Committee considers the editor-in-chief and the producer of the Telegram channel to be involved in giving bribes to police officers for providing information about the emergency, which journalists received through Internet messengers. Eva Merkacheva, a member of the Presidential Human Rights Council (HRC), said that such criminal cases create unacceptable pressure on journalism that works with various sources of information and inevitably maintains "good connections among law enforcement agencies," including on a paid basis.
22nd July, State Duma of the Russian Federation
Films discrediting traditional values will not receive a distribution certificate
Deputies of the State Duma at the plenary session adopted in the second and third readings changes to the legislation in terms of clarifying the requirements for the issuance of a distribution certificate. The law expands the list of grounds for refusal to issue a distribution certificate for a film, providing that such a ground will be the presence in the film of materials that discredit traditional Russian spiritual and moral values and/or promote their denial.
In turn, the owners of audiovisual services and social networks will have to stop distributing a film or TV series within a day at the request of Roskomnadzor if the distribution certificate has been revoked. Additional measures to control the media content.
http://duma.gov.ru/news/61842/
21st July, Meduza
The "Russian community" complained about the district administration of the Chelyabinsk region, which demanded to identify employees associated with the movement
The telegram channel of the "Russian Community" published a document addressed to the heads of structural divisions of the administration of the Troitsky district. In it, the leaders were instructed to "establish the facts of the participation of employees of the units in the "Russian community". The organisation believes that it is a step towards recognising it as extremist and a subsequent ban. Chelyabinsk administration denies the rumours and insists that it is done to ensure transparency and prevent possible conflicts of interest between citizens. Even legal organisations realise their existence always depends on the state, and the state has the final say.
21st July, Vedomosti
The Supreme Court liquidated the Rossiyski All-People's Union party
At the request of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation, the Supreme Court liquidated the Rossiyski/Russovian All-People's Union (ROS) party, which is chaired by ex-presidential candidate and former Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Sergei Baburin. The liquidation basis, as follows from the text of the lawsuit, is the party's non-participation in the elections for seven years. Baburin is confused by the lawsuit, insisting he has always been loyal. That is how it goes with Russian nationalists who agree to play by the Kremlin’s rules; they will be discarded eventually to ensure the status quo.
https://www.vedomosti.ru/society/news/2025/07/21/1125828-sud-likvidiroval-soyuz
18th July, Vedomosti
The State Duma has adopted amendments on fines for searching for extremist content
New amendments make intentional search for extremist content (which does include a slogan ‘Russia is for Russians’) an offence. Use of VPN would be considered an aggravating circumstance. VPN promotion is a punishable offence. “What else do I have to say?”
https://www.vedomosti.ru/society/articles/2025/07/18/1125175-gosduma-prinyala-popravki-o-shtrafah
18th July, Fontanka
"It's Time for WhatsApp to Prepare to Leave." State Duma Deputy Gorelkin on Future Blocking of Messengers
The service, owned by the corporation Meta, which is declared extremist in Russia, is "highly likely" to be included in the list of software from unfriendly states subject to blocking. This opinion was expressed on July 18 in his telegram channel by the deputy head of the IT Committee of the State Duma, Anton Gorelkin. He recalled that the day before, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government to prepare proposals for additional restrictions on the use of software of unfriendly states in the country, including communication services, by September 1.
https://www.fontanka.ru/2025/07/18/75742283/
18th July, Meduza
A powerful leader for the God-bearing people
Sergei Karaganov, a political scientist and one of the founders of the influential Valdai Club, in which Putin regularly participates, proposed introducing state ideology in Russia. He proposes to introduce "Code of the Rossiyanin/Russovian (merging the concepts of an ethnicity and a civil nation)". The main element of that ideology, according to Karaganov, is service to the state and its leader. Classical electoral democracy, in his opinion, is harmful to Russia. The political scientist's reasoning echoes the proposals of officials of the internal political bloc of the Presidential Administration. For example, in a recent article by Alexander Kharichev "Civilization of Russia" there have already been arguments that spiritual values are more important for Russians than material goods, and they see "service" as "the highest form of self-realization." However, Karaganov is likely going too far with his calls for isolation of Russia from Europe, suggests to move some administration to Siberia, which given the financial flow within Russia, is not being considered.
https://meduza.io/feature/2025/07/18/moschnyy-lider-dlya-naroda-bogonostsa
17th July, Mediazona
In Moscow, for the first time, a person was arrested under a new criminal article on “assisting the enemy”
The Lefortovo District Court of Moscow sent to a pre-trial detention centre a defendant in a criminal case initiated under Article 276.1 of the Criminal Code - on "assisting the enemy in activities knowingly directed against the security" of Russia. This is the first known application of Article 276.1, introduced into the Criminal Code at the end of 2024. It assumes responsibility for foreigners and stateless persons for providing financial, consulting and other types of assistance to "a foreign state, international or foreign organisation directly opposing Russia in an armed conflict, hostilities or other actions with the use of weapons and military equipment." Punishment under the article involves 10 to 15 years in prison.
https://zona.media/news/2025/07/17/demidenko
15th July, TASS
The State Duma has adopted a law on the protection of religious symbols
New law forbids erasing symbols on images of religious buildings and other objects containing religious symbols, including also on official heraldic signs. This law is a reaction to a recent wave of cross erasure from the official logos. Exception is made in cases where the corresponding religious symbols were absent on the original during the specified period, or the reproduction of religious symbols entails their desecration. Thus, the old 500 roubles banknote showing Solovki monastery in its historical role as a part of GULAG can continue to circulate.
https://tass.ru/obschestvo/24518531
15th July, RBC
The State Duma has simplified the recognition of associations as extremist
The key innovation concerns the procedure for recognising associations as extremist. Now, a guilty verdict under Article 282.1 of the Criminal Code (for the creation, leadership or participation in an extremist community) against at least one member of the association is sufficient for recognising the organisation as extremist. According to one lawyer, in practice, any community are at risk of being hit - from volunteer to educational ones. The mechanism, in his opinion, violates the principle of individual criminal responsibility enshrined in Article 49 of the Constitution, and institutionalises the "presumption of collective guilt."
https://www.rbc.ru/politics/15/07/2025/687694409a79473b66ff42ac
14th July, Vedomosti
Ukrainians not allowed into Russia will be banned from entering the country for 20-50 years
The Border Guard Service decides to ban entry into Russia for 20 to 50 years for citizens of Ukraine who were denied entry during control at Sheremetyevo Airport. From October 2023, Ukrainians can enter Russia exclusively through Sheremetyevo Airport, where they undergo enhanced checks, including inspection of gadgets. Those who receive a refusal try to challenge it in the courts, referring to long-term residence in Russia, residence permit, marriage with citizens of the Russian Federation or the presence of real estate. However, the courts have not yet satisfied a single complaint. The goal is to enforce compliance and loyalty in new territories
https://www.vedomosti.ru/society/news/2025/07/14/1124080-tass-ne-dopuschennim
10th July, Expert.ru
The Ministry of Labour denied plans to bring 1 million migrants from India to Russia
The Ministry of Labour denied information about plans to bring 1 million migrants from India to Russia by the end of the year. That was a statement by the head of the Ural Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) , Andrey Besedin, a suggestion. For Indian citizens, such a quota, for example, in 2025, is almost 72 thousand people, the Ministry of Labour said. Currently, there is an experiment with non-Russophone migrants in Moscow Oblast, but it does not involve migrants from India.
https://expert.ru/news/mintrud-oproverg-plany-privezti-v-rossiyu-1-mln-migrantov-iz-indii/
9th July, Vedomosti
What does recognising Yale University as an undesirable organisation mean?
The Prosecutor General's Office has recognised Yale University as an undesirable organisation in Russia. According to the position of the Prosecutor General's Office, the university's activities are "aimed at violating the territorial integrity" of the country, "international blockade of the state and undermining its economic foundations, as well as destabilising the socio-economic and political situation in the country." Among the Russian graduates of the program are representatives of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (recognised in the Russian Federation as an extremist organisation), the decision says. Studying at Yale after recognition would probably exclude people from entering or working within Russia. Another step in further isolation.
8th July, Fontanka
The State Duma allows the FSB to create its own pre-trial detention centres/prison system
On Tuesday, July 8, the State Duma of the Russian Federation approved in the second and third readings a law allowing the Federal Security Service (FSB) to create and control its own pre-trial detention centres (SIZOs)/prison system. The explanatory note states that the special service will receive the authority to protect jails, escort suspects and accused, provide household services, as well as organise treatment, including psychiatric care. FSB servicemen will be able to use special means and weapons in the event of escape, attempted forcible release or threat to the life and health of others. As previously noted, this marks a clear breakaway from the prior system that attempted to integrate with the European legal framework.
https://www.fontanka.ru/2025/07/08/75696356/
8th July, RTVI
The State Duma decided to "get rid of pseudo-citizens": why they will be deprived of citizenship
The State Duma, in the first reading, unanimously adopted a bill to expand the list of grounds for depriving acquired Russian citizenship. New grounds include: public calls for terrorist activities, justification or propaganda of terrorism; cooperation with a foreign state or foreign organization against the security of Russia; assisting the enemy in activities knowingly directed against the security of Russia; assistance in the execution of decisions of international organizations in which Russia is not a party, or foreign authorities; public calls for activities directed against the security of the state; unlawful influence on the critical information infrastructure of Russia. Now, Ukrainian citizens who were given Russian citizenship can be stripped of it without trial, forcing them to express complete loyalty or face expulsion and nationalisation of property. Even supporting opposition that hasn’t been declared extremist is enough to remove Russian citizenship. This news is also a reminder that Russia does not consider Crimea and other Ukrainian territories a historical Russian land, given that native-born citizens of Russia cannot be forcibly stripped of citizenship.
7th July, Gazeta.ru
Unexpected resignation and suicide. What is known about Roman Starovoit, ex-minister and former governor
First case of suicide/non-natural death in the case of a major Russian official. No longer just the top managers of companies, but a minister of transportation who was dismissed the same day he was found dead. On the same day, another official in the same ministry died from a heart attack. Plausible cause for the dismissal and subsequent suicide could be traced to Starovoit's previous actions as a governor of Kursk oblast, which involved corruption regarding border fortifications that did not prevent a Ukrainian Kursk offensive. With a probable arrest for 20 years under corruption charges and inability to escape Russia in time, suicide could have been considered as the conclusion to a life already done. The fact that Putin did not offer his condolences implies that Starovoit was facing harsh arrest.
https://www.gazeta.ru/social/21336578/roman-starovojt-samoubijstvo-biografiya.shtml
6th July, KU66
"Demography has disappeared": Rosstat has stopped disclosing data on the country's population
The Federal State Statistics Service of Russia has stopped publishing the entire section "Demography” for the first time. There is no more information on fertility, mortality, population, migration, marriages, and divorces. Demography is not the only closed topic: since 2022, the Russian authorities have been gradually restricting access to key statistical data. Customs statistics, gold and currency reserves, oil and gas production, and after drone attacks, fuel production data fell under the stamp "secret".
2nd July, Vedomosti
Security forces detained the authors of the Telegram channel for calling for anti-war actions
Law enforcement officers detained the administrators of a radical Telegram channel on suspicion of extremism and planning anti-war actions throughout Russia. "The channel published calls for anti-war protests in almost 40 regions of the Russian Federation," the agency's interlocutor said. What is notable is that the news is completely silent about the name of the arrested and the name of the channel. A pattern that was done with early Navalny is being repeated with another person who is appealing to Russian nationalism and democracy. His name is Georgy Paramoshin, and the name of his channel is НАЦДЕМ, National Democrat.
https://www.vedomosti.ru/society/news/2025/07/02/1121663-siloviki-zaderzhali-avtorov
1st July, Interfax
A criminal case was opened against journalist Yuri Dud
Journalist Yuri Dud (included in the list of foreign agents in the Russian Federation) became a defendant in a criminal case on evasion of the duties of foreign agents, the Moscow Department (GSU) of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation (TFR) reported. According to the investigation, no later than May 19, 2025, in violation of the procedure for the activities of a foreign agent provided for by the federal law "On Control over the Activities of Persons Under Foreign Influence," "he evaded the obligations provided for by the legislation of the Russian Federation on foreign agents." As a reminder, Russia’s foreign agent law does not require lobbying. It faces harsher punishments, nowadays being used similarly to ‘Sluggish schizophrenia’, an indirect way to both suppress dissidents and create new dissidents.
https://www.interfax.ru/russia/1033932
1st July, Memorial
The FSB is creating its detention centre system
The State Duma is preparing to adopt two bills that will allow the FSB/security services to create and manage its own pre-trial detention centres (SIZOs) directly, not through the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN). This will mark a complete breakaway from the established global integration, which requires only federal ministries/departments of justice. Even after the end of the full-scale war, Putin is not looking to return to the prior agreements.
https://memorialcenter.org/ru/news/fsb-sozdaet-sobstvennuyu-sistemu-sizo
26th June, Sem na Sem (7x7)
The prosecutor's office demands to dismantle the Stalin monument in Vologda
On April 4, 2025, the Prosecutor's Office of the Vologda Region filed a lawsuit with the Arbitration Court of the region to invalidate the contract between the house-museum of Joseph Stalin "Vologda Exile" and entrepreneur Ekaterina Lozhenitsyna on the installation of a monument to Joseph Stalin, according to the case file. The first hearing in the case was held on June 24. If the court satisfies the claim, Ekaterina Lozhenitsyna will have to dismantle the sculpture and return 10.5 million roubles to the state museum. It seems not everyone is enthusiastic about Stalin.
24th June, OVD Info
‘Yabloko’ denied pickets against Stalin relief due to coronavirus
The prefecture of the Central Administrative District of Moscow refused to allow the regional branch of the Yabloko party to approve a series of one-person pickets against the high relief of Stalin at the Taganskaya metro station. The response of the prefecture says that the action was not approved "due to the current epidemiological situation" and the continuation of the high alert regime established by the decree of the mayor of Moscow of June 8, 2020. According to the document, public events in the capital are still prohibited. However, on the same day Communist Party and other organisations gathered and laid flowers at the same relief of Stalin.
21st June, RBC
Vorobyov spoke about the experiment with migrants without the Russian language
The Moscow Region is participating in an experiment to invite labour migrants from visa countries, such as China and Vietnam, including those who do not know Russian, Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov said. “Companies will be able to invite labour resources without knowledge of the Russian language, because, in fact, they do not need it there. And this will very significantly solve the issue of labour shortages.” The shortage of qualified personnel in Russia is about 1.5 million people, and Russia is becoming less concerned with integration capacities, focusing on short-term economic stabilisation.
19th June, Moskvich Mag
Zakhar Prilepin will head the new theatre of modern patriotic drama in Moscow
Following Putin’s order to create a theatre that would address contemporary issues that including the current military conflict, a director position has been filled. Zakhar Prilepin, former National-Bolshevik and current co-chairman of the parliament party ‘Just Russia-For Truth’, has agreed to lead the new theatre. Having personally participated in a war in Ukraine, including before the full-scale invasion, Zakhar’s management is what the Kremlin wants the Russian theatre to be.
19th June, Realnoye Vremya
Zakhar Prilepin: Putin asked Medinsky to "sort out" the writers
Prilepin said that it was Vladimir Putin who instructed Vladimir Medinsky to sort out what is happening in Russia’s book industry, just as the state organised cinema and theatre before. Medinsky called the new appointment "not a privilege, but hard work and a burden." He also noted that after the collapse of the USSR, the state practically withdrew from the book industry. Now that Medinsky has headed the Union of Writers of Russia, the association will participate in the formation of the book market, "cleanse stores of low-quality reading material”, and promote state interests.
17th June, RIA Novosti
The State Duma adopted a law to toughen the punishment for inciting hatred
Article 282 of the Criminal Code of Russia has been strengthened, leaving less chance to those the Kremlin deems “extremists”. Previously, criminal liability for this crime occurred when it was committed within a year after being brought to administrative responsibility. The amended law introduces criminal liability for a single act aimed at inciting hatred or enmity, as well as humiliating human dignity, associated with the justification or approval of the use of violence or the threat of its use. It also adds a new qualifying crime sign - "commission of a crime by a group of persons or a group of persons by prior conspiracy." Now, every post on the Internet may result in a prison term if deemed offensive by the state.
https://ria.ru/20250617/gosduma-2023332090.html
14th June, Caucasian Knot
Orthodox activists make peace with Alaudinov
Following the emergence of a conflict between activists from the ‘Russian community’ and the head of the Chechen special forces, Alaudinov, another Russian Orthodox loyalist organisation, ‘Sorok Sorokov,’ met with Alaudinov, seemingly making peace. It is as if the Kremlin finally gave a hidden signal for the two groups to cease hostilities immediately. Then, sending a second Russian loyalist organisation seemed more plausible.
https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/412230
12th June, Interfax
Putin sees the meaning of Russia Day in the immortality of the Russian people
During the presidential address for the Russia Day, Vladimir Putin said the following: "I would like to end our meeting where I started, and with what we talked about with the writer Alexander Prokhanov. Indeed, today's meaning is the immortality of the Russian people, all the peoples of our multinational country and our state, our motherland - Russia. And the path to this immortality lies through the victories that you and your comrades-in-arms are laid," At the same time, Vladimir Putin noted that "the path to this immortality" lies through the victories of Russian servicemen. He invited those present at the meeting to shout a military "hurrah" in honour of those who are now on the line of contact. So that they could hear this greeting from the Kremlin itself, the head of state explained. Earlier that day, Vladimir Putin awarded the Heroes of Labour. Among them was the writer, Alexander Prokhanov. This award is a reminder that Prokanov’s recent TV documentary film was no accident. For Putin Russian nationalism means solely actions that serve the state, which he is the head of.
https://www.interfax.ru/russia/1030984
12th June, TASS
Putin admitted that he was surprised by the idea of the past that archaeology gives
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he learned from archaeologist, academic Valentin Yanin, about how deeply archaeological finds can penetrate the intricacies of the life of people of the past. Following those discoveries, the President said that Russia was originally formed as a multinational state, and the common interests of the country have always inspired its people. Putin never sees Russia as a nation-state, even at its historical beginnings.
https://tass.ru/obschestvo/24204551
8th June, Caucasian Knot
Demand to bring Apti Alaudinov to responsibility voiced before the religious procession in Moscow.
‘Russian community’ also managed to comment on Schema-Hegumen Gabriel’s firing and call to fire Alaudinov. The article suggests that Alaudinov made a statement that resulted in Garbiel’s dismissal after Chechen forces attempted to kidnap a person in Moscow.
https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/412048
7th June, Baza
Moscow police dispatched on alert to the Nekrasovka district
According to sources, the reason was a gathering of young people (reportedly members of the "Russian Community") who assembled to "patrol the area." At present, around 200 people have gathered in the district.
Update: According to preliminary information, the young people have dispersed. Police buses remain on standby at the scene.
The state has borders of cooperation with state-affiliated nationalists.
6th June, regional newspapers
Kurban Bayram/ Eid-al Adha in Oryol and Kaliningrad
Last week saw Russia saw a celebration of Kurban Bayram or Eid al-Adha. Those holidays have become a major visual indicator of the changing demography and the rise in migrant workers from Central Asia, in all major cities of Russia, not just Moscow and St. Petersburg. While the monthly newsletter focused on the area to the east, this newsletter is focusing on the western area, cities of Oryol and Kaliningrad.
https://newsorel.ru/fn_1676476.html
6th June, RBC
Monastery head removed from post after words about "wrong religion"
The Valaam Monastery removed Schema-Hegumen Gabriel from office after he said that Muslims were capable of "slaughtering Muscovites on the orders of the mullah." The priest's removal from his post was reported by the monastery press service on the Telegram channel. Attention was drawn to the sermon by the deputy head of the main military-political department of the Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant General Apti Alaudinov. He called the schema-hegumen "a representative of the troops of the Antichrist," and his words were "provocative stuffing." "I have a question: is it necessary for someone to go, break the law and do something to prevent such morons from saying such things? Why are they not subject to criminal measures? Why are no criminal cases initiated? Why <... > at least an official apology is not made?" asked Alaudinov.
https://www.rbc.ru/society/06/06/2025/684340e99a79470600c6358f
5th June, Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
Statement of the Synod of Bishops on the Return of Twentieth-Century Ideological Approaches in Russia
The Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) has released a statement that critiques both the Kremlin and the Russian Patriarchate for following a ‘dangerous path’ that ROCOR disagrees with. One of the conditions behind the re-unification of ROCOR with the Moscow Patriarchate was recognition of the martyrdom of those who suffered during Soviet rule. Now that the government of Russia is proceeding with quiet de-rehabilitation of many martyrs, re-installation of monuments to Stalin and Dzerzhinsky, who were responsible for the deaths of those martyrs. Furthermore, a member of the Patriarchal Council openly said that we wish to personally shoot the last emperor, Nicholas II. If the situation remains the same, ROCOR may attempt to secede.
https://synod.com/synod/2025/20250605_synodstatement.html
May 28th, Newsru
Members of the "Russian Community/Russkaya Obschina" threatened their colleague with rape.
In the city of Kovrov, Vladimir region, three members of the local branch of the Russian Community movement took their 18-year-old colleague with a bag on his head to the forest, beat him and threatened him with rape, the Potok Telegram channel reports. Victim was threatened with rape with a rubber truncheon and murder. After three hours of torture, the men retreated from the scene of the crime. He got home on his own, after which he went to the hospital with numerous injuries. The police are conducting a check. One of the aggressors was detained, others are being sought. Every day, the police are given more and more reasons to go after the organisation when it is deemed a liability. For now, they continue to cooperate in migrant raids.
https://news.ru/criminal/chleny-russkoj-obshiny-ugrozhali-soratniku-iznasilovaniem
May 27th, Moscow Times
"Brain drain" from Russia has set a 25-year record
According to a study by Andrey Lovakov from the German Center for Research in Higher Education and Science, between 2022 and 2024, Russia annually lost about 0.8% of active researchers in the Scopus database of scientists (in total, it had 856,853 profiles of authors with a Russian address). The number is comparable to 2000, following the turbulent 1990s. The greatest losses are observed in physics, astronomy, computer science and mathematics – areas that are traditionally strong in Russian science. "The unprecedented outflow of scientific personnel from Russia will have short-term and long-term consequences, both for the Russian academic system and the global scientific community," Lovakov's study says. The situation is significant given that the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences has to downplay the brain drain.
May 21st 2025, Kommersant
Minister of Justice: protection of moral values should be exempted from criminal charges
Russia’s Minister of Justice Konstantin Chuychenko made a statement that aims to add morals as a legal justification for reduced or even excused actions, ultimately undermining the legal system in the long run in case that proposal would be accepted.
"And if he defended moral values? No one has any questions, for example, nationalists have just entered the Kursk region, many local residents defended their loved ones, their property and, of course, killed. No one has a question about how legitimate it is?" said Mr. Chuychenko at a session of the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum.
As an example, he cited a case when a man received a real sentence for the murder of a person who tried to rape a child. "Morality must be embodied in law," the minister concluded.
https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/7737339
May 17th 2025, Interfax
Citizens of Abkhazia and South Ossetia will be able to obtain Russian citizenship under a simplified scheme
Citizens of Abkhazia and South Ossetia can apply for citizenship of the Russian Federation without complying with such requirements as permanent residence in the territory of the Russian Federation for five years, knowledge of the Russian language, knowledge of the history of Russia and the basics of the legislation of the Russian Federation (these requirements are provided for by paragraphs 1-3 of part 1 of Article 15 of the Federal Law "On Citizenship of the Russian Federation").
Russia is continuing to attract migrants without the need to check even their language knowledge. Everyone born in the territory of the former Soviet Union is eligible for a faster path to citizenship, even in partially recognised states, and the decree demonstrates that.
https://www.interfax.ru/russia/1026169
May 16th 2025, Vedomosti
VTsIOM/VCIOM has identified four demographic scenarios in Russia by 2036
The Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) has outlined 4 basic scenarios of demography in Russia for 2036, a year when Putin’s presidential term is currently expected to end. The current situation is classified as ‘autumn’ as fertility and migration are decreasing. ‘Winter’ is a continuation of existing trends with immigration ending. ‘Thaw’ involves a focus on demography and an increase in fertility because of maternity capital reform that encourages the birth of more than one child, as it does now. ‘Summer’ is a perfect case where fertility rises alongside a rise in migration. The final option is the robotisation option that allows for maintaining the current demography without adverse economic effects, with the question of how costly it will be to increase robotisation sevenfold. VCIOM believes that a balance between ‘autumn’ and ‘thaw’, depending on immigration and social services. Primarily focusing on just the fertility of the native population seems impossible for the sociologists.
May 13th 2025, RBK
81% of foreign schoolchildren were not allowed to test in Russian schools
While the government of Russia is attracting millions of new migrants, they are not bothering with the integration process, leaving families of migrants outside of society. Even applying to test Russian to be considered for school was denied to 81% of the applicants. Out of those allowed to apply, 61% passed the language test. Is the Russian government making a gamble that those children would learn Russian and integrate without the need for school, or will they do it all through private education? Wouldn’t they be alienated, and an organised crime syndicate would be the least harmful outcome for society?
https://amp.rbc.ru/rbcnews/society/13/05/2025/68233a9d9a79471e547aca32
May 6th 2025, Meduza
Homes of activists of the "Russian Community/Russkaya Obschina" were searched by police because of the raid they organised in Vsevolozhsk, during which a man died
Following a non-sanctioned anti-drug raid near St Petersburg that resulted in the death of a person activists considered a drug dealer, and a woman receiving injuries from having to jump from the apartment. So far, the police are not charging the organisation and are treating them as witnesses. When will a moment arise when the prior services assisting the police with raids cross a line, and they will be a new target?
April 30th 2025, TASS
Putin: nationalism is the first stage on the way to Nazism
The article is notable for the quotes on how Putin sees nationalism.
"Nationalism is the first stage to Nazism, this is the first step. Because nationalism is based not just on love for representatives of one's own ethnicity, but on hatred of others. This is the essence of nationalism. Patriotism is a completely different matter. Loving your homeland does not mean hating others," Putin said at a meeting with participants in the educational marathon.
He stressed that nationalism is fuelled by "hatred of other countries and other peoples." "Our task is to educate ourselves and the whole world around us in love for each other. It is in love for each other. This is the basis of the universe," the head of state added.
https://tass.ru/politika/23829959
April 16th 2025, Vedomosti
The head of the Kremlin department for Monitoring and Analysis of Social Processes, Alexander Kharichev, wrote an article “Civilisation “Russia” and what is “all-Russian civilisational code.”
In publication, Mr Kharichev describes how he wants to see the population of Russia. In his view, Russia is a ‘civilisation state’ built on diverse cultures, united by common themes of collectivism and shared respect of the state as the provider of everyone’s prosperity and development. As a result, the definition of freedom means the will to endure and make an appropriate choice that serves Russian Federation. In essence, the Kremlin publicly states its goals of nation-building that would make the state the only part that can make decisions, with the people having no real alternative but to serve it. The question of how this framework encompasses different nations and cultures to make it a durable form. The ‘Soviet nation’ experiment failed, aimed at common principles of humanity, making a new attempt extra challenging.