What is the life in Russia now?
Summary of 120 answers, mostly from Russians who live abroad at the moment, with additional context.
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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.
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1990
Price liberalisation
Russia joins the IMF. The credits to develop the market economy are being issued throughout all the following years.
1990
Free media
New independent radio stations and TV Chanels such as Echo of Moscow. Also MTV!
1991
No more exit visas
Soviet citizens no longer need to ask for permission to travel abroad.
1991
The August Coup
A conservative attempt to restore the Soviet Union. Failed due to low support within the society.
1992
Voucher privatisation
Disputable decision of economic liberalisation.
1993
New constitution created
Voted in referendum: The people said ‘yes’ to freedom.
1994
Eurovision and more
Russia joins Eurovision. *Puppets*, political show satire, starts broadcasting.
1994
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.
1994
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.
1995
Cathedral rebuilt
The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is being rebuilt. It was destroyed in Soviet times.
1996
Internet becomes available
The first internet provider appears. Yandex, so-called Russian Google, is established.
1996
Joining Europe and the world
Russia joins the Council of Europe. It is also admitted to the G7 group.
1997
Boris Nemtsov as prime minister
Boris Nemtsov is appointed to office. He remains a prime minister for 4 months.
1997
Permanent joint council with NATO
Cooperation between NATO and Russia is extended. Possibility of Russia joining NATO is being discussed.
1998
Monetary reform
Goverment tries to solve economic issues. It does not end up well.
1998
Financial crisis
The financial reform fails. Ruble's value goes down drastically and country goes into default.
1999
Second war with Chechnya
Death toll of the war is estimated to be over 60,000.
1999
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.
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2000
Putin is elected
Having been assigned as Yeltsin's successor only a couple of months ago, Putin wins his first election.
2000
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.
2000
Walking Together
New Putin's pioneer organisation. Yet, not widespread.
2000
Stalin's anthem is back
Old tune, new lyrics.
2001
The Seizure of NTV
The new managment converted an independent channel into pro-government one.
2001
United Russia is formed
Stability, after the years of chaos, becomes its main idea and goal.
2002
NATO-Russia council established
"Joint decisions and actions", military cooperation.
2002
Lourdes SIGNIT is closed
The largest Russian military base in Cuba is closed.
2003
The Yukos affair
Khodorkovsky and Lebedev would end up in jail, the company would be nationalised.
2004
Putin is re-elected
“The slide of the country into authoritarianism”, as commented by Grigory Yavlinsky.
2004
The Pritzker in St Petersburg
Prize is held in St Petersburg. Zaha Hadid is the laureat.
2004
Beslan school siege
333 people, 186 of them children died. The storming by Russian forces has been highly criticised afterwards.
2005
Nuclear supply deal with Iran
Befrending disputable regimes would soon become a habit.
2005
Putin promises not to change the Constitution
He seeks no way to go for the third presidential term. Indeed.
2005
Russia Today (RT) begins its broadcast
Question more, they say. Usually, they question only those who are against Putin.
2006
Moscow Pride
Banned by the authorities to protect those who are offended by it.
2006
Assassination of Anna Politkovskaya
Well-recognised journalist, famous for her criticism of Russian actions in Chechnya, was shot dead.
2006
Litvinenko is poisoned
An ex FSB-officer, famous for criticising FSB and Putin, was killed.
2007
Munich speech of Putin
Putin turns hostile towards the US foriegn policy
2007
Munich speech of Putin
Putin turns hostile towards the US foriegn policy
2007
Dissenters' March
"Russia without Putin!", "Shame!", "Give the elections back!" was shouted in the streets. 113 people were detained.
2007
Rags to riches
Forbes magazine reports that Russia now has 60 billionaires. Only 15 years ago there was none.
2007
Visa facilitation agreement with the EU
It was belived to be the first step towards Schengen.
2007
Putin - the person of the year
“He's not a good guy, but he's done extraordinary things”.
2008
Medvedev is elected
They'd call these times the Medvedev's thaw. The only one gap in Putin's presidency.
2008
Bilan wins Eurovision
First time in history, Russia wins Eurovision with a song Believe.
2008
Prison for a message
A woman was charged with High Treason for sending an SMS to Georgia describing the movements of the Russian troops.
2008
Russo-Gerogian war
Being afraid of Georgia making new friends on the West, Russia supports rebelious Osetia with troops and tanks
2009
Baburova and Markelov are murdered
The human rights activists, famous for their anti-Nazi investigations, are killed.
2009
The Reset
Obama-Medvedev's attempt to improve relastionships between the countries.
2009
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.
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2010
New START treaty
A new nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation is reached.
2010
Partnership for Modernisation
The great expectations to build a bridge between Russia and the EU.
2010
Religious education
With secular ethics option de jure, with orthodox priests spreading the word of God in public schools de facto.
2011
Police reform
New name, more money, less responsibility.
2011
Legislative elections
Carousel voting, fraud, massive protest afterwards, and yet, the pro-Putin party stays in power.
2011
The Snow Revolution
Having started right after the legislative elections, it would gather thousands of people staying against the regime.
2012
Mother of God, Putin Put!
A punk-band Pussy Riot performed in the main cathedral. They'll end up in jail.
2012
Presidential elections
“I promised you we would win. We have won. Glory to Russia!"
2012
Bolotnaya Square case
The biggest protest in modern Russian history would end up in the large scale repression against Freedom of Assembly.
2012
Foreign agent law
NGOs, media organisations, and common people who recevie any funding from abroad are scrutinised.
2012
The Scoundrels' Law
In response to the Magnitsky Act, Russia decided to ban the US citizens from adopting Russian children.
2013
Blasphemy law
After the Pussy Riot case, Russia decides to start protecting religious sensibilities by putting people into jail.
2013
Gay propaganda law
No more "distorted ideas about the equal social value of traditional and non-traditional sexual relationships".
2014
Dozhd TV channel eviction
One of the last independent channels is forced to leave their office.
2014
Winter olympics
A celebration of life, not without its controversies.
2014
Lenta.ru changes the management
The biggest liberal Internet media fires the chief editor. They soon would open Meduza.
2014
Crimea is taken
The return of Crimea, they call it.
2014
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
The Eastern Ukraine separatists, funded by Russia, shoot down a civil aeroplane.
2015
Further restrictions
Unauthorised demonstrations are punishable by a fine or detention of up to 15 days. 5 years, if it is the 3rd breach.
2015
Boris Nemtsov is murdered
A famous Russian politic, an ex-prime minister, is killed right next to Kremlin. Insignificant, calls him Putin.
2015
The Syrian campaign
Russia decides to support Bashar Asad by military intervention.
2016
Supermajority in the parliament
United Russia wins a supermajority. Parliament is not a place for discussions, once said the speaker of the State Duma.
2016
Nuclear pact suspension
Both uranium agreement and nuclear pact with the USA are suspended by Russia.
2017
Anti-corruption protests
Mainly concerned with suppressing corruption, the protests gathered thousands of Russians.
2018
The Forth Term
Here we are again.
2018
The FIFA World Cup
Russians make friends with foreigners. Probably, for the last time.
2018
Pension protests
The core electorate, the pensioners, protest against the retirement age hike. Communists start gaining support.
2019
Disrespect to authorities law
"Disrespect for society, government, state symbols, the constitution and government institutions" by media are fined.
2019
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.
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2020
Covid
Covid appears in Russia.
2020
Referendum
Putin is safe - he can be re-elected again. The local government has no power, marriage – only between men and women
2020
Navalny is poisoned
Prominent opposition politician is poisoned, but survived by pure chance. Later, he ends up in jail
2021
Navalny is arrested
Previously poisoned, Navalny got back to Russia in January. Arrested upon arrival, put into jail.
2021
Elections
Fraud, again.
2021
No warrant needed
The Russian police from now on can search homes and cars with no warrant
2021
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.