Author Archives: Citizen M

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – May 14, 2012

By Citizen M | Published: May 14, 2012

TODAY: Writers lead ‘Test March’ in Moscow; no incidents reported; Occupy Abai movement gains strength; UR plans increase on fines for protestors; opposition candidate banned from Omsk mayoral race; McCain lambastes protest crackdown. Russia will be present at NATO conference; Putin confers with Ahmadinejad; pledges ongoing support for breakaway republics Russian novelists and poets have [...]

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Putin’s G8 Manoeuver

By Citizen M | Published: May 11, 2012

When the news broke yesterday that Vladimir Putin would not be attending the G8 summit in Maryland, speculation bubbled as to why he preferred to send Prime Minister Medvedev instead.  An unwillingness to fraternize with Obama?  A genuinely heavy workload?  Fear of Russia receiving international criticism over the protest crackdown?  Or was it just, as [...]

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Activist’s Police Experiment Yields Surreal Results

By Citizen M | Published: May 11, 2012

One of the main issues noted by the protestors who have faced the wrath of the OMON in recent days in Moscow, is the fact that an act of simple accessorizing can be enough to prompt a detention, if the accessory in question is white and ribbon-shaped.  The tactic of preemptive dispersal used by police [...]

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Energy Blast – May 11, 2012

By Citizen M | Published: May 11, 2012

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin will apparently join the board of the state oil and gas holding company, Rosneftegaz, signaling that he will retain a prominent role in the energy industry even if leaves the next cabinet.  Oil majors Shell and Chevron will apparently be the likely winners of a battle to secure rights [...]

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Today in Russian Business – May 11, 2012

By Citizen M | Published: May 11, 2012

Reuters reports on the possible effects the Sukhoi Superjet tragedy will have on Russia’s aerospace industry.  ‘Although some buyers may react emotionally, an isolated incident cannot threaten any plans’ says Aleksei Sinitsky, the editor of Russia’s “Aviatransport Review” magazine in RFE/RL.  Shares in long-distance phone operator Rostelecom rose the most in two months after a [...]

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RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – May 11, 2012

By Citizen M | Published: May 11, 2012

TODAY: Police officer filmed kicking female protestor; opposition change tactics to avoid harassment; Navalny could face tougher charges; OSCE issues warning on media freedom. Analysts continue to ponder Putin’s G8 snub; alleged Sochi terror plot thwarted; jet crash investigation continues The Moscow Times reports that the Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case against a [...]

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The Curse of Russia’s Airplanes

By Citizen M | Published: May 10, 2012

In what could only be described as the worst advert imaginable for Russia’s attempts to improve its airline transport, one of its newest airplanes, the Sukhoi Superjet has crashed on a demo tour in Indonesia, killing all 47 passengers, who consisted of, amongst others, potential customers, journalists and embassy staff.   Medvedev has, of course, ordered [...]

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Energy Blast – May 10, 2012

By Citizen M | Published: May 10, 2012

Lithuania’s government has given final approval to a number of plans aimed at reducing its dependency on Russian energy, including a new nuclear power plant which could cost up to $9.10 billion.  This would apparently be the Baltic state’s biggest investment since the fall of communism.  Czech power group CEZ has announced plans to launch [...]

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Today in Russian Business – May 10, 2012

By Citizen M | Published: May 10, 2012

Despite suffering from increased beer taxes in Russia, Danish brewer Carlsberg retains optimism for its performance in the crucial market, as the first quarter of the year did see a rise in its market share.  Sportswear titan Nike apparently hopes to plans to sign a franchising agreement with re:Store Retail Group in order to expand [...]

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RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – May 10, 2012

By Citizen M | Published: May 10, 2012

TODAY: Putin will not attend G8 summit; Medvedev to take his place. President evokes Russia’s moral right to determine foreign policy due to WW2 experiences. Hackers attack President’s website; Navalny and Udaltsov face two weeks in jail; opposition anger mounting; Sukhoi Superjet crashes whilst on promo tour in Indonesia, all 47 on board feared dead [...]

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