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History Timeline 1990–2022
How did Russia get to where it is now
On 24th February 2022 Russian Federation shocked the world when it invaded Ukraine. Was it entirely unexpected or were there signs of such an event long before? And could it have ended in any different way?
Russian post-Soviet history is a fascinating story full of both optimism and despair, civic resiliance and passivity and many unexpected turns. Some eras brought hope of more liberal society and cooperation with the west, while others crushed that dream entirely.
1990s
Freedom and Chaos
Everything was possible. The fall of the planned economy brought freedom along with unimaginable social inequality.
Cultural outburst, freedom of choice, fights in the parliament, and a feeling of hope. But also extreme poverty, mafia, and instability. The current elites gained their power in those times.
Price liberalisation

Russia joins the IMF. The credits to develop the market economy are being issued throughout all the following years.
Free media

New independent radio stations and TV Chanels such as Echo of Moscow. Also MTV!
No more exit visas

Soviet citizens no longer need to ask for permission to travel abroad.
The August Coup

A conservative attempt to restore the Soviet Union. Failed due to low support within the society.
Voucher privatisation

Disputable decision of economic liberalisation.
New constitution created

Voted in referendum: The people said ‘yes’ to freedom.
Eurovision and more

Russia joins Eurovision. *Puppets*, political show satire, starts broadcasting.
First war with Chechnya

Russia enters into First Chechen War, ending with Chechen autonomy. At the same time, Russia joins Nato's Partnership for Peace.
First war with Chechnya

Russia enters into First Chechen War, ending with Chechen autonomy. At the same time, Russia joins Nato's Partnership for Peace.
Cathedral rebuilt

The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is being rebuilt. It was destroyed in Soviet times.
Internet becomes available

The first internet provider appears. Yandex, so-called Russian Google, is established.
Joining Europe and the world

Russia joins the Council of Europe. It is also admitted to the G7 group.
Boris Nemtsov as prime minister

Boris Nemtsov is appointed to office. He remains a prime minister for 4 months.
Permanent joint council with NATO

Cooperation between NATO and Russia is extended. Possibility of Russia joining NATO is being discussed.
Monetary reform

Goverment tries to solve economic issues. It does not end up well.
Financial crisis

The financial reform fails. Ruble's value goes down drastically and country goes into default.
Second war with Chechnya

Death toll of the war is estimated to be over 60,000.
Putin becomes prime minister

Yeltzin appoints Putin with the brief to get Chechnya under control.
2000s
Vegetarian days
The 2000’s started with the Chechen wars and terrorist attacks all over the country.
At the same time, they say that there was no such time in Russian history with such an economical growth, especially for the middle class. Yet, the economy does not solve all problems.
The 90’s euro/american optimism has been gradually substituted with the new ideas – patriotism, allegiance to the glorious past, and the feeling of exceptionalism – we have our own, unique way.
Putin is elected

Having been assigned as Yeltsin's successor only a couple of months ago, Putin wins his first election.
Kursk submarine disaster

“It sank”. Told by Putin, this short comment on the death of 118 sailors became quite memorable and demonstrative even back then.
Walking Together

New Putin's pioneer organisation. Yet, not widespread.
Stalin's anthem is back

Old tune, new lyrics.
The Seizure of NTV

The new managment converted an independent channel into pro-government one.
United Russia is formed

Stability, after the years of chaos, becomes its main idea and goal.
NATO-Russia council established

"Joint decisions and actions", military cooperation.
Lourdes SIGNIT is closed

The largest Russian military base in Cuba is closed.
The Yukos affair

Khodorkovsky and Lebedev would end up in jail, the company would be nationalised.
Putin is re-elected

“The slide of the country into authoritarianism”, as commented by Grigory Yavlinsky.
The Pritzker in St Petersburg

Prize is held in St Petersburg. Zaha Hadid is the laureat.
Beslan school siege

333 people, 186 of them children died. The storming by Russian forces has been highly criticised afterwards.
Nuclear supply deal with Iran

Befrending disputable regimes would soon become a habit.
Putin promises not to change the Constitution

He seeks no way to go for the third presidential term. Indeed.
Russia Today (RT) begins its broadcast

Question more, they say. Usually, they question only those who are against Putin.
Moscow Pride

Banned by the authorities to protect those who are offended by it.
Assassination of Anna Politkovskaya

Well-recognised journalist, famous for her criticism of Russian actions in Chechnya, was shot dead.
Litvinenko is poisoned

An ex FSB-officer, famous for criticising FSB and Putin, was killed.
Munich speech of Putin

Putin turns hostile towards the US foriegn policy
Munich speech of Putin

Putin turns hostile towards the US foriegn policy
Dissenters' March

"Russia without Putin!", "Shame!", "Give the elections back!" was shouted in the streets. 113 people were detained.
Rags to riches

Forbes magazine reports that Russia now has 60 billionaires. Only 15 years ago there was none.
Visa facilitation agreement with the EU

It was belived to be the first step towards Schengen.
Putin - the person of the year

“He's not a good guy, but he's done extraordinary things”.
Medvedev is elected

They'd call these times the Medvedev's thaw. The only one gap in Putin's presidency.
Bilan wins Eurovision

First time in history, Russia wins Eurovision with a song Believe.
Prison for a message

A woman was charged with High Treason for sending an SMS to Georgia describing the movements of the Russian troops.
Russo-Gerogian war

Being afraid of Georgia making new friends on the West, Russia supports rebelious Osetia with troops and tanks
Baburova and Markelov are murdered

The human rights activists, famous for their anti-Nazi investigations, are killed.
The Reset

Obama-Medvedev's attempt to improve relastionships between the countries.
Strategy-31

Series of protests to protect the 31st article of the Constitution, guranteeing Freedom of Assmebly.
2010s
Protest years
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.
New START treaty

A new nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation is reached.
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.
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.
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
No way back
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.
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
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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.