After major progress in the modernization of birth control in the post-Communist decades and a sharp decline in the number of abortions in recent years, Russia has steadily reversed course toward social conservatism.

Since early October, the Russian propaganda has had a new item on its agenda: the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Indeed, it has proven very important – and useful – for the Russian authorities.

Lawyers who defend political prisoners in Russia are facing rising risks of being imprisoned themselves, with standing up for rights in courts becoming almost as dangerous as being an opposition politician or a journalist.

A short summary of the most important political developments by Nikolai Petrov.

Nikolai Petrov looks at how Putin’s system of administration has functioned against the backdrop of the ruble’s sharp depreciation in August and its coverage in the media.

Nikolai Petrov explains that the tightening rules for conscription in Russia, as well as the announced establishment of “state paramilitary companies” in the regions, are made with an eye toward a long war. The measures are designed to demonstrate to both the West and Ukraine the significant advantage Russia has in terms of reserves.

Nikolai Petrov writes that Prigozhin’s raid has created a serious political decision for the Putin regime. Whereas previously the Kremlin tried to maintain a sense of normalcy and peace inside the country despite the war, now the likelihood of Russia being put on a war footing – in the social, economic and other spheres – has jumped.

Nikolai Petrov writes about the consequences of the "Prigozhin Rebellion.” Although Prigozhin did not achieve his stated goals, the coup de main inevitably brings us closer to the change in regime and accelerates the onset of the post-Putin era.

Nikolai Petrov analyzes the recent visit to China by a Russian government delegation and Moscow’s latest plans for technological sovereignty. He deems the former disappointing and the latter unattainable.

Nikolai Petrov takes Alrosa, one of Russia’s biggest commodity companies, to show how sanctions are forcing the Kremlin to make certain personnel decisions and change its tax policy.

Nikolai Petrov writes that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Wagner, is increasingly visible in the public space, reflecting the migration to Russia of the gangster norms and practices that have developed in the Eastern Donbas since 2014.

Nikolai Petrov looks at the format and substance of Putin’s meetings with governors. Even though the information about these meetings on the Kremlin website is obviously incomplete, they still provide unique material for understanding both the general structure of the Russian political system and the situation on the ground.

Nikolai Petrov writes about the ratcheting up of political repression, the various groups that have been targeted by the government’s repressive machine and the different logic behind the government’s intimidation of them.

Nikolai Petrov observes that the four Ukrainian regions partially occupied by Russia have emerged as a political priority for the Kremlin. The government has unveiled big plans to develop them, but development, Petrov claims, is incompatible with occupation.

Nikolai Petrov writes about a major purge of law enforcement and judicial officials in Rostov Region. In his view, it is a political decision aimed at further putting the country on a war footing and making judges – who are already completely loyal to the regime – a more efficient part of the repression machine.

Nikolai Petrov writes about the State Council Presidium discussion of Russia’s industrial development. In his view, developing industry amid sanctions is currently impossible, and the State Council looked rather like a decoration at a theatre performance.

A short summary of the most important political developments by Nikolai Petrov.

Russia is spending billions on building up border defenses that analysts consider mostly useless.

A short summary of the most important political developments by Nikolai Petrov.

Russia has returned to its previously unsuccessful recruitment of volunteer fighters in what looks to be an attempt to avoid ordering a second wave of mobilization.

A short summary of the most important political developments by Nikolai Petrov.

A short summary of the most important political developments by Nikolai Petrov.

Russian officials have for years been required to disclose their income and assets to the public. But recent changes to anti-corruption laws bring a near full stop to this transparency measure.

Vladimir Gimpelson explains how Russian firms avoided mass layoffs last year.

A short summary of the most important political developments by Nikolai Petrov.

A short summary of the most important political developments by Nikolai Petrov.

A short summary of the most important political developments by Nikolai Petrov.

Thousands of Russian citizens who fled war and the economic impact of sanctions last year continue to work remotely for Russia-based companies. Some officials want to bring that to an end.

TikTok is blocked in Russia, though by using VPN, people can access what is banned by Russian law, which seeks to shield Russian youth from pernicious Western influence. Still, the “forbidden content” turns out to also be a tool of Russian propaganda.

A short summary of the most important political developments by Nikolai Petrov.

Years of neglect and failed modernization have left Russia’s infrastructure in a woeful state. But the issue looks set to worsen as state capacity weakens and budgets get squeezed due to war and sanctions.

Russia.Post is launching a new format – weekly bulletins by Nikolai Petrov. A short summary of the most important political developments will be published on our website at the end of  the week. 

In the latest chapter of Russia’s “garbage protests” saga, people in the Komi Republic protested against a local landfill project. The Republic’s head Vladimir Uyba, referred to the project’s opponents as “ecological garbage” – and it backfired.

For years, the Siberian city of Tomsk was one of Russia’s last remaining strongholds of local self-governance. But the recent decision by authorities in the Tomsk region to cancel mayoral elections in the capital city now puts this reputation in the past.

Something unusual is happening with judges in Russia’s regions. Over the past two months, dozens of them have been quietly resigning. But no one seems to know why – and few are talking about it.

Media reports of Russian servicemen who refuse to fight on the frontlines in Ukraine continue to emerge more than two months after Vladimir Putin announced partial mobilization.

Russian authorities are struggling to deliver on their promise of paying mobilized troops for their military service. Two months after Putin announced mobilization, some soldiers and their families have yet to receive the full payments announced by the president and regional officials, leading to pockets of unrest in some regions.

New winds are blowing in the sails of the Russian government’s censorship crusade. Meanwhile, vague language in an anti-LGBT bill risks inflicting collateral damage across the country’s book publishing and film industries.

Russia’s western borderlands are growing more dangerous by the day, as explosions and shelling rock the region, leading some residents to flee, while others prepare to hunker down for the worst.

Governor of Saint Petersburg Alexander Beglov and the regional political machine he presides over are doubling down on efforts to restore the occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol to its pre-war state.

Facing unprecedented government censorship and repression at home, independent news outlets and journalists from Russia have been forced to relocate abroad. Among them are also those that cover regional and local issues.

Schools in Russia have faced teacher and staff shortages for years. Now, the mobilization of male educators looks poised to strain the country’s educational system even further.

Since Putin’s mobilization announcement, chaotic scenes at recruitment centers and military facilities across Russia have taken place. Reservists lack the most elementary supplies, such as warm clothing, sleeping bags and medicine.

For months, Central Asian nationals living in Russia have faced pressure to volunteer as soldiers in Russia’s war against Ukraine. A new law passed by the Duma aims to attract more foreign volunteers by offering fast-track Russian citizenship.

Parents and teachers are pushing back against new patriotic lessons introduced by the Russian government. While it is impossible to estimate just how many parents oppose the lessons, those who do are taking up varying strategies to shield their children from wartime propaganda.

A mass exodus of Russian men, along with street protests throughout the country, underscores the unpopularity of Vladimir Putin’s “partial” mobilization order.

From musicians and film directors, to figure skaters and poets, the Kremlin is pouring huge sums of money into pro-war cultural projects.

The Kazan-based human rights organization Agora recently published a report detailing new plans by the government to expand mass secret surveillance of activists and independent journalists, as well as racial profiling of ordinary citizens.

Mediazona reports that officials in the Moscow region are shutting down local newspapers and laying off journalists in an effort to reduce spending. While employees of the newspapers warn that the quality of local news reporting will suffer from the closures, independent journalists argue that the papers have long produced pro-government propaganda.

How do we study Russia? What do we get, what did we miss? How can we reinvent the way we have been studying Russia? Mack Tubridy guides us through the main textbooks on Russia.

Forest fires have been burning across Russia since spring, but a recent outbreak in Ryazan Region has brought smoke into the capital, sending government officials scrambling to respond.

As climate change heats the planet, countries all over the world are facing increased risks from wildfires. With more forested land than any other country, this is especially true for Russia. This explainer gives an overview of the context and consequences of the wildfires in Russia today.

Independent news outlet 7x7 looks at why some Russian governors have kept silent about the war in Ukraine.

A group of autoworkers in Izhevsk, the capital of Udmurtia, published an open letter to President Vladimir Putin asking him to help prevent their production plant from being relocated to another region.

St Petersburg news outlet Fontanka compiled a list of concerts that have been cancelled across since the start of the war in Ukraine. The cancellations affect artists that have publicly spoken out against the war and called for peace. Several groups, such as the bands Aquarium, Mumiy Troll, and Tequilajazzz, decided to suspend their public performances altogether for as long as the war continues.