TODAY: Medvedev adviser indicates that power still lies with Putin; Russia calls EULEX mission in Kosovo “illegal”; Iran closely following Syrian military meetings with Moscow; corruption threatening growth; Alexander Lugovoi interview; changes in journalism controls under Putin. Igor Yurgens, a senior adviser and ally of Dmitry Medvedev, has indicated that Vladimir Putin took most of his presidential authority with him when he became prime minister. He also said that Russia would struggle to overcome economic issues because “public discussion is not there because democracy does not exist in this sense of the word.” An EU offical has warned that corruption, comparatively low levels of foreign direct investment and a failure to diversify away from the energy sector is threatening Russia’s growth rates. Russia has condemned the planned deployment of the European Union’s rule-of-law EULEX mission in Kosovo as “illegal“. Georgia’s Interior Ministry has released a video which allegedly proves that Moscow is deploying heavy weaponry in Abkhazia.