Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is quickly nearing its two-year anniversary. For Moscow, predictions about a quick and glorious victory have turned into the realities of massive bloodshed, international isolation and significant economic losses. Re-emerging ethnic tensions are gaining momentum in the ethnically non-Russian regions, threatening widespread destabilization (see Eurasia Daily Monitor, January 23). As...
Author: Sergey Sukhankin / Eurasia Daily Monitor
Part I Russia’s war against Ukraine has taken an unpleasant turn for Moscow. Instead of a speedy, triumphant victory, the Russian Armed Forces are effectively wasting human and material resources in the battle for Avdiyivka (Ukrinform, October 28). Three factors are pushing the Russian side to continue the forcible recruitment of prisoners and migrant workers...
(Part I) On June 23 and 24, the notorious Wagner Group and its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin conducted an unsuccessful revolt against the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) and its ultimatum that Wagner, and other entities like it, had to sign a contract (by July 1) to forfeit its autonomous status (see Part I). Assuming that...
On June 23 and 24, the notorious Wagner Group – Russia`s most well-known quasi–private military company (a mercenary army) – headed by its chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, carried out the so-called “march for justice.” Its declared goal was to teach a lesson to Russia’s corrupt and deceitful military leadership, whose blunders in managing the war against...
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is creating a myriad of problems for the Russian economy. While the Russian state budget is experiencing a deficit, the Russian Central Bank posted some uninviting news: its annual deficit for 2022 was 27 times higher than in 2021 (Kp.ru, accessed April 24). Meanwhile, the traditional tools of macroeconomic...
Despite the Russian ruling elite’s optimism about the Russian economy “stepping into a positive trajectory of growth” (RIA Novosti, February 28), the real state of affairs in economic development may not be as bright as the Russian authorities portray. Despite propaganda, Russia`s economic troubles – caused by a combination of economic sanctions (BBC News Russian,...
On February 7, the press service of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (GUR) issued a statement revealing that one of Russia’s largest energy companies, Gazprom Neft, is now creating its own private military company (PMC). According to the GUR, this move was authorized by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin....
On August 14, the Ukrainian town of Popasna in Luhansk Oblast was hit by U.S.-produced and Ukraine-operated M142 HIMARS complexes, reportedly causing severe damage to the locally headquartered private military company (PMC), the Wagner Group (Mil.in.ua, August 14). As a result of the attack, more than 100 Russian mercenaries were reportedly eliminated (UNIAN, August 15)....
Two government documents – “On the development of the Arctic zone and ensuring national security until 2035” (Pravo.gov.ru, October 26, 2020) and “Energy Strategy 2035” (ES-2035) (Minenergo.gov.ru, accessed May 29) – outline Russia’s vision on its role, place and ambitions in the Arctic macro-region. Aside from other aspects, these documents argue that for Russia to...