Area Total | 17,098,242 sq km |
Climate | ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast |
Natural Resources | wide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, bauxite, reserves of rare earth elements, timber |
Imports | China 21.2%, Germany 10.7%, US 5.6%, Belarus 5%, Italy 4.5%, France 4.2% (2017) – machinery, vehicles, pharmaceutical products, plastic, semi-finished metal products, meat, fruits and nuts, optical and medical instruments, iron, steel |
Government | semi-presidential federation |
Capital | Moscow |
Population | 142.1 million (July 2018 est.) |
Ethnicity | Russian 77.7%, Tatar 3.7%, Ukrainian 1.4%, Bashkir 1.1%, Chuvash 1%, Chechen 1%, other 10.2%, unspecified 3.9% (2010 est.) |
Language | Russian (official) 85.7%, Tatar 3.2%, Chechen 1%, other 10.1% (2010 est.) |
Exports | China 10.9%, Netherlands 10%, Germany 7.1%, Belarus 5.1%, Turkey 4.9% (2017) – petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, metals, wood and wood products, chemicals, and a wide variety of civilian and military manufactures |
News about Russia
- U.S. reportedly considering sending another Patriot air defense system to Ukraineby Meduza.io on July 9, 2025
The White House is considering sending another Patriot air defense system to Kyiv following President Donald Trump’s pledge to strengthen Ukraine’s protection against Russian attacks, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing two officials.
- At a pre-election fundraiser, Trump claimed he warned Putin he’d ‘bomb the shit out of Moscow’ if Russia invaded Ukraine — CNNby Meduza.io on July 9, 2025
At a closed-door fundraiser in 2024, Donald Trump claimed he had threatened to “bomb the shit out of Moscow” if Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an attack on Ukraine, CNN reported.
- Half of Ukrainians predict a ruined country by 2035 – pollby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on July 9, 2025
A survey has indicated rising pessimism amid the conflict with Russia and uncertainty over US support Read Full Article at RT.com
- Russia launches record 728 drones at Ukraine, targeting western cityby Meduza.io on July 9, 2025
Overnight, Russia carried out what appears to be its largest drone and missile attack on Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war. According to Ukraine’s Air Force Command, Russia launched 728 drones of various types, along with seven cruise missiles and six Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles. Ukrainian forces said they destroyed 711 of the […]
- Three dead after Ukrainian drones strike Kursk city beachby Meduza.io on July 9, 2025
Ukrainian drones struck a city beach in Russia’s Kursk late Tuesday, killing three people and injuring six others, according to acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein.
- Russia declares Yale University ‘undesirable’by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on July 9, 2025
Russia has accused Yale University of subversive activities and interference in its domestic politics Read Full Article at RT.com
- Three killed in ‘barbaric’ Ukrainian drone strike on public beach – governorby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on July 8, 2025
A Ukrainian drone struck a public beach in the Russian city of Kursk, killing three people, the regional governor has said Read Full Article at RT.com
- Ukraine threatens new invasion of two Russian regionsby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on July 8, 2025
Kiev’s top commander has urged a renewed push into Kursk and Belgorod despite Russia’s full recapture of the area and ongoing peace talks Read Full Article at RT.com
- Mother dies trying to save son from draft officers in Ukraine – media (VIDEO)by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on July 8, 2025
The footage reportedly from Kharkov Region shows an elderly woman attempting to block a van before she collapses to the ground Read Full Article at RT.com
- Kremlin ‘shocked’ by likely suicide of ex-ministerby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on July 8, 2025
The Russian presidency is “shocked” by the likely suicide of a freshly dismissed minister, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Read Full Article at RT.com
- Ukraine silent about new peace talks – Kremlinby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on July 8, 2025
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Kiev is stalling progress on scheduling the next round of negotiations Read Full Article at RT.com
- ‘The Rotenbergs invested heavily in him’ . Anti-corruption expert Ilya Shumanov unpacks the political rise and sudden demise of Russia’s ex-Transportation Minister Roman Starovoitby Meduza.io on July 8, 2025
Roman Starovoit, Russia’s former transport minister, was officially dismissed from his post on July 7. That very evening, news broke that he had died by suicide. Investigators say his body was found with a gunshot wound inside his personal vehicle in the Moscow region. Before his appointment to the Transport Ministry, Starovoit served as governor of […]
- Russian lawmakers vote to restore Federal Security Service’s right to operate its own jailsby Meduza.io on July 8, 2025
Russia’s State Duma has passed legislation that officially restores the Federal Security Service’s authority to operate its own pretrial detention facilities. Deputy Vasily Piskarev, who cosponsored the bill, said the agency, known as the FSB, will jail defendants charged with “crimes against state security,” isolating “suspected spies and […]
- Russian lawmakers overhaul benefits for student mothers, tying payments to subsistence minimumsby Meduza.io on July 8, 2025
On Tuesday, Russia’s State Duma voted to pass legislation raising maternity and childbirth benefits for women studying at universities, continuing professional education organizations, and research institutions. If adopted by the Federation Council and signed by President Putin, the law would set payments at the subsistence minimum level for the region […]
- Trump promises Zelensky ten missiles – Axiosby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on July 8, 2025
The US president reportedly pledged to send Patriot interceptors after the Pentagon halted munition shipments to Ukraine Read Full Article at RT.com
- NATO’s last chance. Director Ilya Naishuller sends U.S. and U.K. leaders on a wild road trip through Belarus and Poland in ‘Heads of State’by Meduza.io on July 8, 2025
You’d be forgiven for having missed it, but Russian director Ilya Naishuller’s latest film, Heads of State, is out now on Amazon Prime. Starring John Cena, Idris Elba, and Priyanka Chopra, this road-trip action comedy tells the story of a fictional U.S. president and British prime minister who survive a plane crash before teaming up to save the world […]
- Russia bans Yale University as ‘undesirable organization,’ citing Navalny’s attendanceby Meduza.io on July 8, 2025
The Russian authorities have declared Yale University an “undesirable organization,” banning its activities on Russian territory
- Russian fertility crisis accelerating – deputy PMby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on July 8, 2025
Russia’s birth rate has dropped as the key female age group hits a historic low, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova has warned Read Full Article at RT.com
- ‘We were shocked’: Kremlin declines to comment on minister’s apparent suicideby Meduza.io on July 8, 2025
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Vladimir Putin had been informed about the suicide of former Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit, who was found dead shortly after his dismissal from his post on Tuesday.
- Ukraine hands 15-year sentences to Russian sports icons – TASSby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on July 8, 2025
The verdicts have reportedly targeted politicians who supported Donbass independence Read Full Article at RT.com
- Ukrainian teachers told to pretend they can’t speak Russianby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on July 8, 2025
The country’s education ombudsman has urged teachers to use only Ukrainian with students Read Full Article at RT.com
- Russian FSB raids Syktyvkar cultural center in treason case amid wave of searches targeting journalists and activistsby Meduza.io on July 8, 2025
Agents from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) raided the independent cultural space Revolt Center in Syktyvkar, the capital of the Komi Republic, on Tuesday morning.
- Foreign spies using fake photo contest to collect intel in Russia – FSBby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on July 8, 2025
The FSB has warned about a fake photo contest allegedly aimed at tricking participants into collecting intelligence for a foreign country Read Full Article at RT.com
- Moscow police detain hundreds of migrants and deport more than 30 after raiding hostels and prayer housesby Meduza.io on July 8, 2025
Police in Moscow recently conducted raids targeting “illegal migration,” the city’s Investigative Committee reported on Tuesday, without specifying when the operations took place.
- Trump says Washington will send more weapons to Ukraineby Meduza.io on July 8, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States will send additional weapons to Ukraine, mostly defensive in nature, Reuters reports.
- Independent Russian election-monitoring group Golos shuts down after co-chair is sentenced to prisonby Meduza.io on July 8, 2025
The Russia-wide independent election-monitoring group Golos has announced that it is ceasing operations. The decision, according to a statement released by the organization, follows the sentencing of its co-chair, Grigory Melkonyants, to five years in prison on charges of organizing the activities of an “undesirable” organization.
- Russia sentences former top military commander to 17 years in prison for embezzlement and briberyby Meduza.io on July 7, 2025
Colonel General Khalil Arslanov, former deputy chief of Russia’s General Staff, was sentenced to 17 years in prison on Monday after being convicted of bribery and embezzlement.
- France says E.U. is preparing ‘toughest sanctions’ against Russia more than three yearsby Meduza.io on July 7, 2025
The European Union is preparing to impose its “toughest sanctions” against Russia since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to France’s top diplomat. Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Monday that E.U. sanctions would be introduced based on French proposals in coordination with U.S. congressmen.
- Russian general arrested on corruption chargesby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on July 7, 2025
Viktor Strigunov is suspected of embezzling government funds and receiving bribes Read Full Article at RT.com
- They don’t only fall out of windows. Meduza reviews the sudden deaths of 13 Russian energy and transportation executives since 2022by Meduza.io on July 7, 2025
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been an unusually dangerous time for Russian officials and senior executives responsible for state and private oil and gas companies. Death has claimed top managers at corporations such as Gazprom, Lukoil, and Transneft. On July 7, Transportation Minister Roman Starovoit reportedly shot himself in his car hours after […]