The Russia Blog
The disputed South Ossetian Presidential election took another twist today as Alla Dzhioyeva, the opposition candidate who claimed victory in November’s annulled poll, announced that her inauguration as South Ossitian President would be held on 10 February.
“I will assume office on February 10,” Dzhioyeva told reporters, adding that “I can’t tell you about the… Read the rest
When the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990’s, the nations who formed part of that Soviet Empire gradually reclaimed their independence. As such the notion of a USSR successor state is open to interpretation but it is generally recognised by the outside world that the Russian Federation has the best claim to that accolade… Read the rest
In an odd piece of news, Marina Smirnova, a candidate for the A Just Russia party, has been barred from standing as a candidate in this year’s Russian Duma elections. The story is notable because Smirnova is the daughter in law of Igor Smirnov, the leader of Transnistria (the breakaway Moldovan republic that has,… Read the rest
While everyone’s focus is on the Russian Duma elections (due in December 2011) and the Russian Presidential election (due in March 2012), I thought it might be interesting to take a look at some of the other election news from around the former Soviet Union.
From what I can tell, there are elections taking place,… Read the rest
Russia’s World Trade Organisation entry has been all but guaranteed after the WTO’s Working Party on Russian membership agreed the precise rules and obligations that Russia will have to meet as a member of the global trading body.
The news comes almost immediately after a customs and trade monitoring agreement between Russia and Georgia which… Read the rest
Rumours have been swirling around runet for years about how some Russian political bloggers are being offered payment to write posts that are supportive of the Russian Government, or of a particular politician. There are similar rumours about blogging in China.
Global Voices this weekend reports on a Georgian blogger, Yuri Yakunin who was… Read the rest
Georgia ran out comfortable winners in this weekend’s big European Nations Cup clash to top the table at the mid-way point.
Week four of the 2011-2012 European Nations Cup saw wins for Russia, Georgia and, unexpectedly, Spain.
For the first time in their history, Russia qualify for the Rugby World Cup Finals.
Note: This post was updated on 6 April 2009 to make clear that the European Nations Cup is a two year tournament, and that neither Russia nor Georgia have yet qualified for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Georgia beat Russia 29-21 in a thrilling encounter to secure first position in the rugby European Nations Cup… Read the rest
The Russia-Georgia conflict has moved to the disco dancefloor after Georgia’s decision to pick the none-too-subtle “We don’t wanna put in” as their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Performed by Stephane and 3G, the provocative song will no doubt wind Russia’s Prime Minister no end if it makes it to the final in… Read the rest
Remember the McDonalds theory of war – that two countries advanced enough to have a McDonalds franchise could never go to war? Well, it’s finally been blown out of the water by the Russia-Georgia war of 2008.
Siberian Light returns from vacation with some belated thoughts on the Russia-Georgia war.
Amazing video footage of an (allegedly) Russian MiG shooting down a Georgian drone over Abkhazia.
