RIA Novosti, News from the Russian Federation

[Russia (Farrfin)]

The Russian International News Agency (RIA Novosti) is the state-owned news agency of the Russian Federation. Its headquarters are in Moscow, with over 80 news bureaux around the world.

The Agency publishes in a variety of European languages as well as Persian, Japanese, Chinese and Arabic. The current Director General and Editor-in-Chief is Svetlana Mironyuk.

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Putin Signs WTO Protocol
Q3 2012



Moscow, Russian Federation -- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the WTO Accession Protocol authorising Russia's membership of the WTO, the Kremlin has said on Monday.

The protocol was agreed after 18 years of negotiation at the WTO's headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. It had been approved by both houses of the Russian parliament.

The transition through the Duma has not been smooth, however. In late June, a group of 131 deputies from the opposition Communist and A Just Russia parties challenged the constitutionality of the WTO accession protocol, claiming the procedure for submitting it to the lower house of parliament for ratification had been breached. The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation ruled that the protocol was legitimate on July 10 of this year.

The transition period to liberalisation of access to Russia's markets is two to three years, but this is extended to five to seven years for markets requiring more protection such as the automobile industry and agriculture, agricultural machinery production and light industry.

A joint working group has been established between the Kremlin, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to chart the opening of Russia's markets and monitor the country's adherence to the Marrakesh Agreement.

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Finance Minister Raises 'Serious Concerns' Over European Economy
Q3 2012



Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation -- Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has expressed deep concern over the future of the Eurozone following a squabble between Germany and Spain. The Spanish Government's convocation of the Greater European Prosperity Summit, a grouping of European nations which rejects Berlin's notion of austerity, has caused serious friction with Germany. Markets across Russia reacted badly to the public rancour between the two nations.

Mr Siluanov was attending a summit with Russian business leaders in the Federation's second city.

Concerns have been raised about the impact of instability in the Eurozone on the Russian economy. Over half of Russia's exports go to EU nations, causing many business leaders to worry about the markets for their goods and services declining as European demand falls.

The Finance Ministry has reiterated its willingness to work alongside the EU to help solve some of the problems plaguing the European economy.

"A crisis summit every month is not a sustainable or realistic option," said a spokesman. "Europe must pull together to resolve the issue once and for all."

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Saakashvili comments unhelpful, says Putin
Q3 2012



MOSCOW, RUSSIAN FEDERATION -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has branded his Georgian counterpart's recent comments to relating to Russia and the Five Day War in 2008 as unhelpful and inaccurate.

"The 2008 conflict was started, as the world well knows, by Georgia's illegal invasion of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Russian Federation's intervention was in accordance with the principles of the United Nations - deterring aggression and defending the rights of states to self-determination."

"I do not propose to engage in a war of words with the Georgians. Instead, I shall simply say this: I fully supported then-President Medvedev's decision to utilise our armed forces to defend our allies from aggression. I would do the same again if faced with a similar situation. An ally of Russia can count on our support."

President Putin made the remarks whilst on a visit to Kubinka Air Base, a few miles from Moscow.

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Russia creates new foreign aid agency
Q3 2012



MOSCOW, RUSSIAN FEDERATION -- The Russian Government has announced that a new agency, Rosopomogat, will be responsible for allocating, coordinating and channelling all Russian aid and assistance to foreign states. The move comes after the idea was explored in-depth last year by the Foreign Ministry, Finance Ministry and Defence Ministry. It is understood that the creation of such an agency has been under consideration since 2007.

Most Russian foreign aid has, thus far, been channelled through multinational organisations or the United Nations and has focussed on areas such as agricultural development, food security and health programmes.

The former Soviet Union was one of the world's largest donors of foreign aid, providing some $26 billion in 1986 alone. Although Russia does not aim to match the sums provided in Soviet times, Moscow has been trying to boost the amount of foreign assistance since the Federation's chairing of the G8 in 2006. Russia provided $7.5 billion of financial assistance to neighbouring members of the Commonwealth of Independent States following the financial crisis of 2008.

Some $825 million has been allocated to foreign aid in 2013, up from $785 million in 2009. Igor Ivanov, who served as the Russian Foreign Minister from 1998-2004, has been appointed as the director of Rosopomogat.

It is understood that Rosopomogat will also be operating a military assistance programme after an unprecedented level of interest in Russian aid in military development. Defence Ministry officials have confirmed that this will take the forms of loans and grants to purchase Russian equipment, as well as training programmes and the sale or donation of surplus materiel.

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Russian Air Force celebrates centenary
Q3 2012



ZHUKOVSKY AIR BASE, RUSSIAN FEDERATION -- The Russian Air Force has celebrated its centenary by hosting an air show extravaganza at Zhukovsky Air Base outside Moscow.

The show featured a host of Soviet and Russian aircraft and helicopters, as well as aerobatics teams and displays from around the world. The Russian Knights, the Air Force's premier display team, were on hand to provide a spectacular air display to gathered spectators.

The show was attended by President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev, Defence Minister Anatoli Serdyukov and senior military officials. Invitations were also extended to the ambassadors of all nations with embassies in Moscow.

"The Russian Air Force is on the ascendancy," said Air Force General Viktor Bondarev, the commander of the Russian Air Force. "We are gaining in strength each year and new units are being introduced into service. The Russian Air Force is one of the most formidable in the world; we aim to make it more formidable still."

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Umarov: No one in Russia is safe
Q3 2012



CHECHEN REPUBLIC, RUSSIAN FEDERATION -- Chechen Islamist leader Dokka Umarov has threatened to carry out a new wave of attacks across the Federation in a new video released online today. The terrorist leader said that "our enemies across Russia are not safe; we will find them wherever they are".

Umarov, who claimed responsibility for the 2011 suicide bombing at Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport and the 2010 attacks on the Moscow Metro, is the most wanted man in Russia. He has been branded "Russia's Osama bin Laden".

Efforts to capture or kill Mr. Umarov have been ongoing since his involvement in the Second Chechen War. He has escaped death or capture on numerous occasions, and was targetted by a Spetsnaz assassination team in 2005.

The Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia's domestic security and intelligence agency, has issued a statement to confirm that they believe that the video is authentic, and take any threats made by Umarov and his organisation very seriously. Russian forces in the Southern Military District, which encompasses the Caucuses, have been warned to be on alert over the coming weeks.

Other Headlines
Trial of Pussy Riot feminist rock band begins in Moscow - Pravda
Resources Minister brands Ukrainian exclusion of Gazprom bids "complelely unacceptable" - Moscow Times
Putin sends condolences to Cuba on Castro death; memorial to be unveiled in Moscow next year - Russia Today
Communist Party leader accuses West of cooperating with al-Qaeda in Syria - Izvestia

(OOC: I've shamelessly stolen the 'Other Headlines' idea from others... but I really do like it a lot, so thanks for the idea guys ).

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Roscosmos plans moon mission before Mars venture
Q3 2013



VOSTOCHNY COSMODROME, RUSSIAN FEDERATION -- Vladimir Popovkin, the Director General of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), has announced Russia's plan to return to the moon before beginning any missions to Mars.

Director General Popovkin was on a visit to inspect the construction efforts at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur Oblast, in the Russian Far East. The Vostochny Cosmodrome is intended to supplement and eventually replace the Baikonur Cosmodrome which, since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, has been located on Kazakhstan and has been leased back to the Russian Federation. The Vostochny Cosmodrome is expected to become operational in 2018.

Roscosmos recently announced a project to develop a heavy rocket capable of carrying a manned spacecraft to the moon.

"We have not abandoned our plans for a mission to Mars in the future," said Director General Popovkin to gathered reporters. "Rather, it seems sensible to us to aim for another manned landing on the moon as a dry run for the challenges presented by the journey to and from the red planet."

The mission to the moon has been touted as being possible by 2020, dependant upon the the success of research projects aimed at developing a new generation of Russian spacecraft and associated technology.

Other Headlines
Putin condemns Pussy Riot actions, but says sentence "must not be too harsh" - Izvestia
Tymoshenko released by Ukraine; Lavrov hopes for constructive relationship - ITAR-TASS
Spanish authorities arrest al-Qaeda suspects - Radio Moscow

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Kremlin approves use of Ulyanovsk airport by NATO forces in Afghan mission
Q3 2013



ULYANOVSK, ULYANOVSK OBLAST -- Kremlin officials have approved plans for NATO to use Ulyanovsk Airport as a transit hub for supplies and personnel travelling to and from Afghanistan. Ulyanovsk, which lies 500 miles south east of Moscow, is best known as the birthplace of Vladimir Lenin.

Talks have been ongoing since last year to enable NATO forces to utilise facilities at the airport to transit material via air and land. ISAF's supplylines into Afghanistan have become increasingly difficult as relations between the United States and Pakistan, once the primary route for supplies, have soured.

President Vladimir Putin remarked that, although Russia and NATO have vast differences on many issues, "they are doing the right thing in Afghanistan. It is not in Russia's interests for Afghanistan to be unstable, to be a failed state."

The move has not been without controversy, however. When the proposals were announced in April, around a thousand protesters from leftist and nationalist groups took to the streets of the city to voice their opposition.

The Foreign Ministry has been quick to emphasise that NATO has not been granted a permanent military base in Russian territory, but has been allowed use of part of the airport at Ulyanovsk as a transit facility. The arrangement is expected to end after NATO troops complete their planned withdrawal in 2014.

Other Headlines
Russia is cleaning up its act: Prosecutor General's office claims success in anti-corruption drive as detection rate soars - Pravda
Chinese Foreign Minister visits Moscow - Russia Today
Troops placed on stand-by as Siberia battles wild fires - Moscow Times
Sokolov announces road safety campaign as deaths on Russian highways rise - ITAR-TASS

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Comment: Is Moscow's focus shifting eastward?
Q4 2012

Intriguing rumblings have been emanating from Moscow in recent months. Sergei Lavrov, Russia's old hand in the Foreign Ministry, has met with two of his counterparts from Asia's economic powerhouses: China and Japan. The Russian Government appears to be investing significant amounts of time and effort to improving its position in the Far East. Will this be a hallmark of Russia's foreign policy in Putin's third term in office?

Much publicity has surrounded Lavrov's recent visit to Japan. Two large Russian companies, Transneft and Gazprom, have signed deals with the Japanese to construct a pipeline from Russia to Japan across the seabed between the two nations. The deal will secure future profits for both countries, provide better employment prospects in the Far East of the country and begin the process of locking Russia in as a major economic player in the wider region. Russia is on course to become one of Asia's primary energy suppliers, feeding the Chinese dragon and the Japanese pheasant over the course of the next decade.

The Defence Ministry has also announced a suspension in strategic bomber flights close to Japan in an effort to rebuild relations with Tokyo. In return, Japan has promised to increase its investment in the Russian Far East.

Many commentators have hailed the twenty first century as the 'Asian Century'. The world's focus will, they say, gradually shift away from Europe and North America and come to rest on the Asia-Pacific region. Owing to its vast size, Russia stands to gain handsomely from this transition if Moscow plays its hand with skill and panache.

Resolving disputes with Japan and deepening the mutual economic relationship with Tokyo is an important first step to giving Russia a greater presence in the Pacific. When Sergei Lavrov shook hands with Koichiro Gemba, it was perhaps a manifestation of a change in direction for Russia's focus. For its part, Russia appears to be taking economic relations with Japan seriously; so seriously that they've agreed to place a moratorium the Russian Air Force partaking in one of its favourite past times (that of flying very close to the borders of certain rival nations to test their defences). Aside from some unhappy bomber crews, Russia has lost little by doing this. Washington and Beijing will undoubtedly be the primary actors in the saga unfolding in this part of the world, but Moscow apparently has no intentions of being left behind.

The coming decade will be of great interest as the Kremlin's gaze turns from Europe to Asia. Perhaps, in this context, the Russian Bear will find a new role for itself in the post-Cold War world. A role that Moscow has been searching for since 1991.

Other Headlines
MICEX stock exchange jumps at news of Japanese trade deal - Russia Today
Egypt begins operation to rid Sinai of militants - ITAR-TASS
Moscow police smash organised crime syndicate; mafia boss arrested - Moscow Times
Russia Far East can expect major infrastructure projects, says Medvedev - Izvestia
Putin criticised at opposition rally - Pravda

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Duma to debate changes to corruption laws
Q4 2012

MOSCOW, RUSSIAN FEDERATION -- The Duma will vote on a package of new measures in a further attempt to stamp out corruption in the Russian economy and government, the Speaker has said. The proposals, which have been put together after consultations with the Kremlin, aim to show to the world that Russia is making a serious attempt to deal with the corruption issue after its accession to the World Trade Organisation earlier this year.

Russian lawmakers have studied anti-corruption drives in Hong Kong in the 1970s and the American attempts to bring organised crime under control in the 1960s.

At present, those who accept a bribe are protected by guaranteed mutual liability (that is to say, the person offering the bribe will also be jailed as an accessory to the crime if it is discovered). This means that the situation often remains undetected by law enforcement agencies as there is no incentive for either party to disclose the illegal transaction.

The proposed modification to the law will enable those who are offering a bribe to avoid prosecution if they report the action to the authorities and cooperate with any subsequent investigation. The maximum prison sentence for engaging in corrupt activities may also be increased.

Such an approach was the cornerstone of the Organized Crime Control Act, passed by the US Congress in 1970. The Act provided legal protection for mobsters who testified against their fellow criminals, resulting in a surge of information for the police and FBI and the eventual emaciation of the Mafia which ran rampant in the 1960s.

In Hong Kong, a special hotline was set up in 1974 for incidents of corruption to be reported. The caller would be absolved of responsibility if he or she was implicated in the crime they were reporting. Hong Kong was notorious for corruption in the 1970s, but has since become one of the least corrupt societies in the world.

Critics have argued that such an approach would allow those offering bribes to walk away from any bribery case unscathed. However, supporters of the proposal suggest that offering bribes would no longer be an option in the first place if no officials or businessmen were willing to accept them. They have also suggested that there is no moral equivalence between accepting and offering bribes in many cases; the latter is often trying to overcome a problem put into place by the former, which is why a bribe would be necessary in the first place.

A vote on the proposal is expected early next year.

Other Headlines
Liberal Democratic Party leader demands tougher controls on Chinese immigrants in Russian Far East; "Siberia is not a province of China," Zhirinovsky declares - Interfax
Putin attends gas summit in Tehran - Russia Today
FSB warns of increased activity of Islamist groups in Caucasus - Rossiyskaya Gazeta
Tension between Tokyo and Beijing over Diaoyu Islands - Voice of Russia

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Putin vows to revitalise Russia in New Year address
Q1 2013

MOSCOW, RUSSIAN FEDERATION -- At 19:00 on New Year's Day, President Vladimir Putin took to the airwaves to give his New Year's Address to the Russian people. Speaking from his office in the Kremlin, Mr Putin pledged to "keep fighting for Russia's rightful place in the world" and "resolve our many domestic problems" as he approaches his first year since returning to the presidency.

"Russia is facing many problems; separatism, alcoholism, corruption... but all of these problems can be solved if we have the political will to do so. Many of you are old enough to remember chaotic decade that Russia suffered in the 1990s. That is not a place I will allow this country to return to," said the President in his address.

Mr Putin has always portrayed himself as the man who brought stability to Russia and tamed the chaos of the 1990s; an era where corruption ran rampant, war raged in Chechnya and Russia was a shadow of its former self.

Criticism of Mr Putin has been relatively muted until recently, however. Since ending his second term in office and announcing his intention to seek a third, a barrage of criticism was unleashed at the then-Prime Minister. Despite arranging numerous protests in Moscow and other cities, Russia's opposition movement remains weak (especially outside of Moscow).

Opponents have branded the President's address as 'vacuous', but one fact remains: no substantial challenger to Mr Putin's authority has yet made him/herself known.

Other Headlines
President Putin congratulates new Chinese leadership - Russia Today
Foreign Ministry tells Ukraine: Russia is not your enemy -Moskovskij Komsomolets
Russian forces to take part in military exercises with Chinese military - Voice of Russia
Admiral Kuznetsov undergoing upgrades in Severodvinsk - Moscow Times
Sergei Glazev appointed as President's economic adviser - Kommersant
Police officers killed in drive-by shooting in Dagestan - Dagestankaya Pravda
Instability spreads across Cuba; Russians advised against all but essential travel - ITAR-TASS

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Putin's Secret War: The Insurgency in the North Caucasus
Q1 2013



Is it possible to hide a war? Perhaps not physically, but for the last decades the Kremlin has fought a bloody conflict against Islamic insurgents in the North Caucasus and - for the most part - kept its somewhat brutal conduct in the region out of the mainstream media.

The North Caucasus in a mountainous area along Russia's southern border with Georgia and Azerbaijan. Consisting of the Republics of Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia, the region has been a source of volatility since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. A bitter conflict raged in the breakaway province of Chechnya throughout the mid-1990s, which saw tens of thousands killed and hundreds of thousands injured and displaced. The war ended with Chechnya retaining its de facto independence, with both sides agreeing to conduct affairs peacefully in future.

In the summer of 1999 Chechen forces invaded the neighbouring republic of Dagestan, causing Moscow to re-enter the conflict and invade Chechnya. Russian forces brought the province back under federal control but an insurgency has raged in the region ever since and has spilled into neighbouring republics.

The Caucasus Emirate
The primary driving force behind the insurgency is the Caucasus Emirate, a union of jihadist groups seeking to force out Russian troops from the republics of the North Caucasus and create an independent Islamic emirate in their place. The leader of this grouping is Russia's most wanted man: Dokka Umarov. Umarov is a veteran of both Chechen wars and has played a leading role in the subsequent insurgency against Russian forces. He has been described as "Russia's Osama bin Laden" and the organisation which he leads has been designated as a terrorist organisation by many other countries and international bodied (including the United States, the European Union and the United Nations).

The Caucasus Emirate is said to have members numbering in their thousands and the organisation has not limited its attacks to their region. Attacks against the Moscow Underground and Domodedovo International Airport have both been attributed to the organisation. Umarov has made it clear that Russian civilians are legitimate targets. Attacks in the region are common, with multiple incidents taking place each week. Apart from Russian troops and local police the insurgents focus their attacks in the region on the 'un-Islamic', including any businesses which sell alcohol.

The Russian Response
Russia's response is focused in two main areas: the federal forces deployed to the Caucasus, and the pro-Moscow regional leaders such as Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov and Ingush President Yunus-bek Yevkurov.

Moscow has stationed a significant number of personnel in the North Caucasus from the Russian Ground Forces, MVD Troops, FSB and special forces troops. Working in tandem with local security forces, Russian troops engage in regular raids on militant hideouts.

The Russian Government has unofficially authorised a policy of targeted killing against Islamic militants in the North Caucasus, much like the CIA and its efforts against the Taliban in Pakistan. Russia's approach has been surprisingly successful in this regard with dozens of individuals wanted for their involvement in creating the instability being neutralised. Both sides have been alleged to have committed atrocities against the other, and it is very difficult for journalists and international organisations to gain access to the republics of the North Caucasus.

Moscow has repeatedly warned of the danger which these groups pose to the outside world. It is understood that Chechen jihadists have joined the forces fighting President Assad's government in the Syrian civil war, and have been rumoured to have engaged NATO forces with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Nevertheless, the insurgency continues to rage and no end is in sight. The majority of the Russian populace has little interest in what goes on in the North Caucasus, and this is a fact that President Putin has used to his advantage. The Kremlin is waging a war on its own territory with very little oversight from either Russian citizens or outside groups, and the President is happy for this approach to continue. The lack of attention provides Moscow with a free hand in dealing with the insurgents, a situation it has undoubtedly taken advantage of.

Other Headlines
Arab League passes Syrian resolution - Russia Today
Russia supports sanctions against Ecuadorian junta at UNSC vote - The Moscow Times
Lavrov warns against foreign intervention in Syria - Trud
Kremlin silent as Ukrainian Prime Minister outlines anti-Russian agenda - Pravda
Romney inaugurated as US President - ITAR-TASS

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Russian Air Force to open base in Egypt
Q1 2013

MOSCOW, RUSSIAN FEDERATION -- The Ministry of Defence has announced that the Russian Air Force will be opening an airbase near the Egyptian city of Alexandria. In addition the Egyptian Government has granted the Russian Navy permission to use part of Alexandria's modernised dockyards for resupplying and repairing non-nuclear vessels. The airbase is due to open later this year, with the naval facility opening in 2014.

The base marks a step forward for Moscow in regaining the influence it has lost since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Moscow's only operational overseas base outside the former USSR is the Tartus Naval Base in Syria. Due to instability in the country it is understood that the Russian Defence Ministry has opted to take up the Egyptian offer of the facilities in Alexandria to compliment the Syrian base.

"The base will primarily be used to monitor the Mediterranean and the Middle East, to help the Egyptian authorities police the Suez Canal and to provide support for anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden and surrounding areas," said Defence Minister Anatoli Serdyukov.

It is understood that the Russian Air Force intends to deploy a variety of aircraft at the base. The new facility is also expected to provide the city of Alexandria with a major economic boost as Russian service personnel spend their wages there and the base utilises local goods and services to meet its needs.

The Defence Minister is expected to visit the base when it opens later this year.

Other Headlines
Rosneft begins exploration of Arctic shelf ahead of schedule - Kommersant
Rosopomogat to provide aid to Syrian refugees - Izvestia
Romney refers to Putin as President of China in diplomatic correspondence - Russia Today
US to host trilateral arms limitation talks with Russia and China - Voice of Russia
Liberal Democratic Party leader calls for mass deportations of Chinese immigrants in Far East - Rossiyskaya Gazeta

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President appoints Nationalities Ombudsman
Q2 2013

Moscow, Russian Feration -- President Putin has appointed Gadzhimet Safaraliyev, chairman of the State Duma Committee for Nationality Affairs, as the ombudsman for Russia's nationalities.

The Russian Federation contains over 160 different ethnic groups across its 6.6 million square miles of territory. The new ombudsman will be charged with monitoring the opportunities available to various ethnic groups, mediating in any conflicts and acting to defend the rights of minorities across the Federation. He will report directly to the President.

The Kremlin has been pondering various ideas to improve the lives of ethnic minorities and stifle the attempts of Russian ultranationalist groups to cause tensions. A proposed government ministry to deal with nationalities affairs was scrapped after it was deemed too complex and unwieldy to gather up the responsibilities from other departments and agencies and centralise them.

It is anticipated that the ombudsman will be based in Moscow but his department will have regional offices across the country.

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, a member of the Duma and the leader of Russia's far-right Liberal Democratic Party, branded the move as a "waste of time and money".

"We should not be pandering to these people," Mr Zhirinovsky said as the role of the ombudsman was debated in the Duma. "Either they should get by on their own or they should leave Russia. There is no middle course."

Other Headlines
Arab League threatens to board Russian Navy vessels operating from Tartus - Interfax
China closes border with Tajikistan in security dispute - Rossiyskaya Gazeta
Israeli criticism of Russian base in Egypt is unfounded, says Medvedev - Moscow Times
Russian Navy to create Mediterranean Fleet next year - ITAR-TASS
ZAO Sibplaz to open three coal mines in Magadan Oblast by year end - Kommersant

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Russia on track to record second year of natural population growth
Q2 2013



The Russian Federal State Statistics Service, commonly known as Rosstat, has released its initial set of demographic indicators for the first half of 2013. These appear to indicate that the Russian Federation will see its population increase for the second year due to a fall in the number of deaths and a rise in the number of births. The population increase excludes those immigrating to Russia from abroad, or expatriates returning.

In 2012, the Russian Federation registered a modest natural increase in population of 0.01%. Although small, the Kremlin has viewed this as a vindication of the attempts to reverse Russia's population decline. Under President Medvedev (2008-2012) a number of policies were introduced to reverse the trend of a population in decline, including stricter traffic laws aimed at cutting highway mortality, redoubling efforts on the problem of alcohol and drug abuse, and increased investment in healthcare. Cash incentives were also offered to families who had large numbers of children. Over the past nine years the death rate has been in decline and the birth rate has been on the rise.

Rosstat estimates that the population increase for this year will be approximately 0.12%. President Putin has unveiled a series of further measures to be rolled out by 2015 which are intended to buoy the positive trend and help to increase it. These include attracting members of the Russian diaspora back to their homeland (particularly those with important economic skills and connections) and improvements to Russia's foster care system to enable orphaned children to lead fuller and better lives (Russia currently has around 700,000 orphans, many of whom fall into drugs and alcoholism).

Russia's demographic problems are deep-rooted and will require a long-term plan to fix, but one thing is for sure: the so-called 'Dying Bear' has more than a little life left in it yet.

Other Headlines
Bomb attack on Tajik-PRC border post leaves five dead; China appeals to UN - Interfax
Russian Navy to reopen naval base in Vietnam by 2015 - Krasnaya Zvezda
Russian Ground Forces to operate desert warfare training facility in Egypt - Moskovskiye Novosti
Romney in Israel: America must not upset Middle East balance, says Lavrov - Moskovsky Komsomolets
Four militants killed in gun battle with police in Ingushetia - Novaya Gazeta

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Putin calls for calm as Russian forces prepare for operations in Tajikistan
Q3 2013

MOSCOW, RUSSIAN FEDERATION -- President Vladimir Putin has urged Dushanbe and Tashkent to halt their military build-up on the border between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as Russian forces begin operations to support Tajikistan's efforts to clear the Eastern Badakhshan region.

The Government of Tajikistan withdrew its forces from Eastern Badakhshan when an apparent truce was agreed with the militants, but an explosion at a checkpoint on the border with China saw two Chinese guards killed and drew Beijing's fury. After the matter was brought to the UN Security Council by the Chinese, Dushanbe subsequently ordered troops back into Eastern Badakhshan and have appealed to Moscow for support.

The Russian 201st Motor Rifle Division, which has been based in Tajikistan since the collapse of the USSR, will provide air support, intelligence and other assistance to Tajikistani forces as they conduct operations to clear the region of militants. An additional squadron each of Su-24 and Su-25 ground attack aircraft have been deployed to Ayni Air Base in Tajikistan, and it is understood that twelve additional Mi-24 attack helicopters will be deployed there to support operations.

"We will not be conducting these operations for Tajikistan," said Colonel Alexei Zavizyon, the commander of the 201st Motor Rifle Division. "Our task is to support the Tajikistani military in areas where they need our assistance - particularly from the air - and supplement them as necessary. It is important that Dushanbe can undertake this operation successfully and we are here to help them to do that."

"We will certainly not be getting involved in any border disputes with Uzbekistan," he added.

Rumours posted on some Russian military websites have suggested that elements of the 45th Detached Reconnaissance Regiment, a special forces unit of the Russian Airborne Troops, have been deployed to the Russian military base at Kulab. The Defence Ministry has refused to comment.

Other Headlines
Medvedev: Britain must not revert to Cold War mentality - ITAR-TASS
Is SVR behind Egypt's clampdown on US spy ring? - Moskovskij Komsomolets
Manturov: Russia's WTO membership draws foreign investors - Kommersant

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Yevkurov assassinated in suicide attack
Q3 2013



MAGAS, REPUBLIC OF INGUSHETIA, RUSSIAN FEDERATION -- Yunus-bek Yevkurov, the President of the Republic of Ingushetia, has been killed in a suicide attack on his convoy in the Ingush capital of Magas in the North Caucasus. 73 others have also died, with over two hundred injured by the blast.

The President's convoy was travelling from the Presidential Palace to the People's Assembly when an SUV packed with explosives crashed into the vehicle in front of the presidential limousine and detonated. President Yevkurov has been the target of assassins on two separate occasions previously.

The bombing has provoked outrage from Moscow, with the Kremlin vowing to find and destroy those responsible. President Putin has issued a decree installing Rashid Gaisanov as Mr Yevkurov's successor. Extra Russian troops have been deployed onto the streets of Magas to bolster the efforts of local security forces.

Dokka Umarov, the leader of the Caucasian Emirate, posted an online video claiming responsibility for the attack and vowing to conduct a ceaseless campaign against Russian forces and Kremlin-backed politicians.

The successful attempt on a senior politician appointed by Moscow has been seen as a sign of the continuing deterioration of the security situation by some commentators. "Russia needs a new strategy for the Caucasus," said Alexander Rahr, a member of the Valdai thinktank.

Other Headlines
Lenin monument defaced in Saint Petersburg - Delovoy Petersburg
Arab League fractured over Syria - Nezavisimaya Gazeta
Egypt eyes SCO membership - Izvestiya
Russian cities to directly elect mayors from next year - Interfax
Police arrest opposition demonstrators in central Moscow - Rossiyskaya Gazeta
Soviet Marshal Sokolov, architect of Afghan war, dies aged 102 - Voice of Russia

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Defence Minister announces 'surge' strategy in North Caucasus
Q4 2013



ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIAN FEDERATION -- Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov has announced that an extra 20,000 troops of the Russian Ground Forces, 1,000 soldiers of the Russian Airborne Troops and 12,000 members of the Internal Troops to the North Caucasus region in response to a recent upsurge of violence. Minister Seryukov was visiting the Southern Strategic Command's headquarters at Rostov-on-Don with General Nikolai Makarov, the Chief of the General Staff, when the announcement was made. It is believed that this is the first phase of Moscow's response to the recent assassination of the President of Ingushetia by Islamic militants.

Additional Spetsnaz units will also be deployed, but the Defence Ministry has refused to provide any further details.

"The purpose of this new strategy is to provide additional troops to clear and secure the region, to protect local civilians and to provide stable conditions for our political and economic efforts to bear fruit," said Mr Serdyukov. "These additional troops will be deployed by the end of the year."

Major General Vyacheslav Borisov has been placed in command of the effort. General Borisov, an Airborne officer, has served in the military since the 1970s, eventually rising to become the commander of the 76th Air Assault Division which took part in the Battle of Tskhinvali and successfully occupied the Georgian city of Gori in 2008.

Russian military planners have studied the American approach to counterinsurgency in Iraq, as well as learning from the Soviet experience and the current NATO-led effort in Afghanistan.

Other Headlines
Italy makes major retreat from overseas commitments - Pravda
Naval Infantry to increase size to 20,000 by 2017 - Krasnaya Zvezda
Russian base to open in Yemen - ITAR-TASS
Russian forces conclude support operations in Tajikistan - Rossiyskaya Gazeta
India to create $15bn sovereign wealth fund - Kommersant

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Human rights group expresses concern over Tajik prisoners
Q4 2013

Kulab Military Base, Tajikistan -- Memorial, the Russian human rights group, has raised concerns over the whereabouts of 43 Tajik citizens believed to have been captured by Russian forces during their operations to support the Tajikistani armed forces in retaking the Eastern Badakhshan region.

The 43 individuals are believed to be in Russian custody in a detention facility at the Kulab Military Base in Tajikstan, though this is unconfirmed.

"These men are prisoners of war and must be given the rights accorded to them under the Geneva Convention," said Arseny Roginsky, the President of Memorial. "The fact that they may be being held by the Russian military with no access to legal representation is deeply concerning, and we urge the Defence Ministry to clarify the position of these individuals."

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence refused to comment on the specific allegations made for security reasons, but a written statement issued on the matter stated that "any insurgents captured by Russian forces would, under these circumstances, be deemed unlawful combatants and would therefore not enjoy the rights enshrined in the Geneva Convention. Russian support operations were intended to ensure that the Government of Tajikistan could clear the Eastern Badakhshan region of militants and improve the security situation on the border with China."

Russian forces were deployed earlier this year at Dushanbe's request to provide air cover and other support for their counter-insurgency efforts after a bomb attack on a border checkpoint with China left several dead. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the prisoners may have been interrogated by the GRU (the Russian military intelligence agency), and that officials from the Chinese Ministry of State Security may have also been granted access to the detainees.

Other Headlines
Rosopomogat to provide $3 million in food aid to Somalia - Interfax
Most Russian businesses see WTO membership as positive, says poll - Kommersant
93 contract West Nile virus in Volgograd region Voice of Russia

[Russia (Farrfin)]

The Insurgency in the North Caucasus: A Special Report (Part I)
By Tatiana Kiselev
Q1 2014

Last year's assassination of Yunus-bek Yevkurov, the President of Ingushetia, provoked fury from Moscow and saw President Putin order his Defence Minister, Anatoly Serdyukov, to put an end to the violence in the restive republics of the North Caucasus.

Serdyukov is not a soldier or a military strategist, but is a highly intelligent man. His background in economics does not exactly lend itself to managing a sustained counter-insurgency campaign, but Serdyukov was able to learn from Russia's recent experiences and those of other countries to put together a coherent and rational strategy to pacify the republics and bring some semblance of order to the North Caucasus.

The Defence Minister put together a team of officials from the military, police, FSB and other ministries to debate possible approaches. From the first meeting in August last year, the American experience in Iraq (particularly the 'surge' of 2007) and the British experience in Malaya in the 1950s were highlighted as successful attempts to bring insurgencies under control. These were examined in detail and, whilst all of the lessons learned in those examples were not always applicable to the Caucasus in 2014, many good general principles for conducting an effective campaign were drawn out.

Part of the Kremlin's motivation behind the new strategy is undoubtedly to improve the security situation for the 2014 Winter Olympics which will take place in the resort city of Sochi. Moscow has long feared a possible terrorist attack on the games, and it is hoped that a greater presence in the North Caucasus region will help to reduce the capability of terrorist groups to attack the rest of the Russian Federation.

After the meetings, the military and security officials met separately to decide what they'd need to put the proposed strategy into practice. 30,000 troops would be required in addition to the Russian units and local forces already stationed there. A reserve of 20,000 troops was also to be created for rapid deployment if necessary, with half coming from the Army and the Internal Troops respectively. President Putin was briefed on the proposal and approved it, also dispatching a battalion from the highly-trained Russian Airborne Troops and additional Spetsnaz units. In total, an initial deployment of over 32,000 troops would be made. 20,000 remain in reserve if necessary.

One thing that the Russian Armed Forces is good at, despite its deficiencies in other areas, is deploying large forces to where they're needed relatively quickly. The vast size of Russia has made this a military necessity; in 1979, for example, the Soviet Union put together the 40th Army and prepared it for deployment to Afghanistan at a break-neck speed. Serdyukov had promised that the additional forces would be in place by the beginning of 2014; in fact, most had arrived in the region by the beginning of December last year. Major General Vyacheslav Borisov, a decorated Airborne officer, was placed in overall command.

The influx of Russian troops have had an immediate impact on the situation. They are now much more visible to locals, can patrol wider areas with greater frequency and have cemented Moscow's already substantial grip on the cities and towns in the region. Beyond this, it also signalled to the insurgents that the Kremlin is willing to endure the cost in blood and treasure to bring the North Caucasus fully under control. Insurgent attacks have dropped in frequency over the last month, but this may be a temporary lull whilst the militants change tactics.

Once the deployment had been completed, joint operations between Russian and local forces to bring the region under control began. These are currently ongoing as part of the first phase of the overall strategy. The goal is to clear regions of militants and to enable political and economic development to take place in a secure and stable environment. Additionally, a greater emphasis has been placed on discovering the source of weapons and supplies for the insurgents and closing down their supply routes. Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev has warned that any foreign assistance offered to the insurgents would be seen as an act of war by Moscow.

The insurgency in the North Caucasus is often viewed as something of a foreign war by most Russians. Ethnic Russians are a small minority in the region, and the way of life of many in the republics of the North Caucasus is unfamiliar to the residents of Moscow or Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk or Murmansk. Putin is unlikely to gain much by taming the insurgency, but stands to lose a great deal if he cuts and runs. His own reputation has meant that he has little choice but to stand and fight.

It remains to be seen whether the new strategy will be successful, but initial indicators appear to be positive. Whether this lull in violence is a permanent fixture or a temporary phenomenon remains to be seen.

Other Headlines
Russian GDP growth rate surpassed 7% p.a. last year - Kommersant
Far-left opposition leader detained by police at Moscow rally - Moscow Times
Russian Navy to conduct major exercises in 2015 - Nezavisimaya Gazeta
Putin defends policies in RT.com interview - Russia Today

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Op-Ed: Russia-Ukraine relations: In the deep freeze?
Q2 2014

The relationship between Moscow and Kiev took a plunge this week as Ukraine's prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, managed to ensure that her country's constitutional court overturned an agreement ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament and the Russian Duma in 2010. The deal, in which Russia's lease of naval facilities in the port city of Sevastopol was extended to 2042, will now be decided upon by a referendum.

To describe Russian-Ukrainian relations as complex is the equivalent of describing outer space as 'large'. Moscow's response to the Constitutional Court's ruling has been relatively muted, but Russian newspapers and websites have been abuzz with articles stressing the benefits of the base - the hundreds of millions of dollars poured into Ukrainian coffers, the tens of thousands of Ukrainian jobs that Russia's presence provides and the effective subsidy for support facilities for Ukraine's own navy.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has expressed his concerns over the damage to Ukraine's international reputation if it unilaterally tears up a deal that had been agreed years ago, and had been voted upon by both Russian and Ukrainian lawmakers. "Other members of the international community will find it increasingly difficult to do business with Ukraine if they go down this path," he said when questioned on a visit to the UN in Geneva.

However, Russian naval commanders have long been concerned about a possible expulsion from Sevastopol. In 2003, President Putin authorised the development of a new naval base in the Russian city of Novorossiysk. The base itself was completed in 2012, but further facilities are under construction and it is rumoured that the Russian Navy has allocated further funds to continue with the expansion project to ensure that the Black Sea Fleet has a home after 2017.

The outcome of the upcoming referendum will undoubtedly have a great impact on bilateral relations between Moscow and Kiev. The Kremlin will be undoubtedly watching the referendum campaign and subsequent results very carefully indeed.

Other Headlines
US intervention in Syria would be madness, says Lavrov - Izvestia
Medvedev proposes special tax regime for Siberia and Russian Far East - Kommersant
24 detained in major anti-terror raid in Dagestan - Voice of Russia
Romney: Wrong man, wrong job - Pravda
Customs officials seize 3.5kg of cocaine in Moscow airport - Rossiyskaya Gazeta

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Rosoboronexport approves arms deal with Argentina
Q2 2014



Moscow, Russian Federation -- Rosobornexport's Director General, Anatoli Isaikin, has announced that the Russian Federation has signed a major arms deal with Argentina worth $4.5 billion to Russia's arms industry over the next decade. The announcement came after Buenos Aires submitted a formal order to the Russian state-owned arms exporter last week.

"We are very happy to be concluding such an important deal with our friends in Argentina," said Mr Isaikin. "This will be a major boost for the capabilities of Argentina and for sustaining Russian industry."

The deal is said to include requests for a variety of aircraft, tanks and armoured vehicles to be delivered by 2025 to Argentina. Stock prices in Russian military manufacturers have risen sharply as a result of the news

Other Headlines
Ankara threatens Syrian intervention - Russia Today
Opinion: Mitt Romney is not fit to be President - Pravda
Kremlin orders investigation into USAID involvement with opposition groups - ITAR-TASS
Pacific Fleet conducts major readiness exercise - Voice of Russia
Four soldiers, thirteen militants killed in Dagestan gun battle - Nezavisimaya Gazeta

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Shuvalov threatens 'influx of support' to Assad in response to Saudi maneuverings
Q3 2014

Moscow, Russian Federation -- Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov has threatened to provide additional support to the Assad government if the Saudis continue to arm terrorist groups, according to a report filed by the Interfax news agency.

Mr Shuvalov was quoted as telling reporters that "Riyadh has no basis for criticising the human rights violations of other countries when women are repressed and political opponents of the House of Saud are tortured and summarily executed in their own country. The Saudis have no right to choose the legitimate government of Syria, and if they provide an influx of weapons and support for the terrorists then Russia will be forced to respond in kind in support of the government in Damascus."

It is unknown whether Mr Shuvalov's comments have been endorsed by the Kremlin, but the words of warning have been interpreted by some as a warning shot across the Saudi bow.

Russia is Syria's primary supplier of military hardware, and signed a deal with the Assad government in 2012 to supply additional equipment. The Russian Navy maintains a naval support facility in the Syrian port of Tartus, and Damascus has long been seen as Moscow's primary ally in the region.

Other Headlines
Russian naval patrols in Far East to be increased in response to ominous pronouncements from Tokyo - Pravda
US ups the ante in war of words with Iran - Russia Today
China enraged at Japan militarisation - ITAR-TASS
Khamenei dies of kidney failure in Tehran hospital; Putin sends condolences - Voice of Russia
Air strike in Dagestan kills 14 militants - Izvestia
Duma votes to tighten drink driving laws - Moscow Times
Lushenko suffers stroke: Russian doctors sent to Minsk? - Moskovskij Komsomolets

[Russia (Farrfin)]

Relations with Ankara and Riyadh deteriorate over "baseless lies"
Q4 2014

MOSCOW, RUSSIAN FEDERATION -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has reacted angrily to suggestions made by Turkey and Saudi Arabia that the Russian Government is providing weapons to the Assad regime in Syria.

"These are baseless lies," said President Putin when queried about the matter in a television interview for Russia Today. "We have not shipped a single bullet to the Syrians for a number of years. The Saudis and the Turks know this. Their attempts to paint Russia as the one at fault in this matter are laughable."

"The world knows that the Saudis are paying for the guns and the Turks are allowing them to pass through their border into Syria. They have only themselves to blame when the situation blows up in their faces, and mark my words: it will. The world knows who to blame for prolonging this tragic conflict, and it is not Russia."

Relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia and, to a lesser extent, Russia and Turkey have cooled in recent months as the war of words has increased. Turkey has announced a 'quarantine' of the sea lanes near Syria, and the Turkish Navy has threatened to board any vessel suspected of carrying weapons to Syria. Russian vessels have been singled out for special attention, sparking demonstrations outside the embassies of Saudi Arabia and Turkey in Moscow. Riot police were deployed to protect the diplomatic compounds.

A leaked Defence Ministry memo, apparently containing parts of an assessment of the Syrian situation from the GRU (Russia's military intelligence agency) has accused Saudi Arabia of funding the Syrian opposition and, indirectly, providing weaponry to Kurdish groups such as the PKK in Turkey. The Defence Ministry has refused to comment on the document.

Other Headlines
2 soldiers, 9 militants killed in firefight in Ingushetia - Moscow Times
Russian Armed Forces prepare for major exercises in 2015 - Krasnaya Zvezda
Iranians prepare to appoint new Supreme Leader - Interfax