New START treaty
A new nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation is reached.
2010s
The previous years of relative prosperity along with theoretical freedom kickstarted the growth of civil society.
The long-lasting 2008’s economical crisis brought a political one – a new-born middle-class started to disagree with the political decisions, taken with no consent.
The growing protest power provoked a reaction – every step a society took would end up in new restrictions. At the same time, the aggressive international course taken in 2008, justified the Crimean annexation, nurturing people’s imperial ambitions, has aggravated the already taken course to isolation. As life shows, the most horrible things happen when nobody can see it.
Castling
Partnership for Modernisation
The great expectations to build a bridge between Russia and the EU.
Religious education
With secular ethics option de jure, with orthodox priests spreading the word of God in public schools de facto.
Police reform
New name, more money, less responsibility.
Legislative elections
Carousel voting, fraud, massive protest afterwards, and yet, the pro-Putin party stays in power.
The Snow Revolution
Having started right after the legislative elections, it would gather thousands of people staying against the regime.
Mother of God, Putin Put!
A punk-band Pussy Riot performed in the main cathedral. They'll end up in jail.
Presidential elections
“I promised you we would win. We have won. Glory to Russia!"
Bolotnaya Square case
The biggest protest in modern Russian history would end up in the large scale repression against Freedom of Assembly.
Foreign agent law
NGOs, media organisations, and common people who recevie any funding from abroad are scrutinised.
The Scoundrels' Law
In response to the Magnitsky Act, Russia decided to ban the US citizens from adopting Russian children.
Blasphemy law
After the Pussy Riot case, Russia decides to start protecting religious sensibilities by putting people into jail.
Gay propaganda law
No more "distorted ideas about the equal social value of traditional and non-traditional sexual relationships".
Dozhd TV channel eviction
One of the last independent channels is forced to leave their office.
Winter olympics
A celebration of life, not without its controversies.
Crimean Consensus
Lenta.ru changes the management
The biggest liberal Internet media fires the chief editor. They soon would open Meduza.
Crimea is taken
The return of Crimea, they call it.
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
The Eastern Ukraine separatists, funded by Russia, shoot down a civil aeroplane.
Further restrictions
Unauthorised demonstrations are punishable by a fine or detention of up to 15 days. 5 years, if it is the 3rd breach.
Boris Nemtsov is murdered
A famous Russian politic, an ex-prime minister, is killed right next to Kremlin. Insignificant, calls him Putin.
The Syrian campaign
Russia decides to support Bashar Asad by military intervention.
Supermajority in the parliament
United Russia wins a supermajority. Parliament is not a place for discussions, once said the speaker of the State Duma.
Nuclear pact suspension
Both uranium agreement and nuclear pact with the USA are suspended by Russia.
Anti-corruption protests
Mainly concerned with suppressing corruption, the protests gathered thousands of Russians.
The Forth Term
Here we are again.
Fifa World Cup
The FIFA World Cup
Russians make friends with foreigners. Probably, for the last time.
Pension protests
The core electorate, the pensioners, protest against the retirement age hike. Communists start gaining support.
Disrespect to authorities law
"Disrespect for society, government, state symbols, the constitution and government institutions" by media are fined.
Stolen elections
The highly corrupted Moscow city Duma elections provoke furious protests.
2020s
It all started with global isolation. Usually, having a dialogue helps to make a considered decision. However, the regime has been gradually destroying all sorts of opposite views on Russia – be it an internal political opposition, free media, or various international connections.
Externally, from subtle hybrid Georgian/Donetsk intervention, the Putin regime started a real war, ending any dialogue with Ukraine along with the West.
Internally, they closed almost all the independent media and non-commercial organisations that did not play the main tune.
The 20's have just started.
Before the invasion
Covid
Covid appears in Russia.
Referendum
Putin is safe - he can be re-elected again. The local government has no power, marriage – only between men and women
Navalny is poisoned
Prominent opposition politician is poisoned, but survived by pure chance. Later, he ends up in jail
Navalny is arrested
Previously poisoned, Navalny got back to Russia in January. Arrested upon arrival, put into jail.
Elections
Fraud, again.
No warrant needed
The Russian police from now on can search homes and cars with no warrant
Memorial closure
An NGO, dedicated to preserving memories of Stalin victims, is closed under the Foreign Agent Law
The invasion
Our stand on the Russian war with Ukraine
Russia started the war against Ukraine. This war is happening from 2014. It has only intensified on February 24th 2022. Milions of Ukrainians are suffering. The perpetrators of this must be brought to justice for their crimes.
Russian regime tries to silence its liberal voices. Russian people against the war exist - and the Russian regime tries its best to silence them. We want to prevent that and make their voices heard.
Connection is crucial. The Russian liberal initiatives are hard to read for European public at times. The legal, social and historical context of Russia is not always clear. We want to share information, build bridges and connect the liberal Russia with The West.
We believe in dialogue, not isolation. The oppositional powers in Russia will not be able to change anything without the support of the democratic world. We also believe that the dialogue should go both ways.
The choice is yours. We understand the anger for the Russian crimes. It is up to you whether you want to listen to the Russian people standing against this.