| 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
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‘Pragmatic conservative’ Putin rejects totalitarian rule, but won’t embrace Western liberal democracy as Russia goes its own way
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 23, 2020
Western pundits use Vladimir Putin’s rejection of the idea of Western liberal democracy as a universal model to imply he rejects the concept of democracy outright. His latest comments reveal the reality is rather more complex. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Shocking new Russian data reveals diabetics are TEN TIMES more likely to catch Covid-19, with sharply increased mortality rates
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 23, 2020
Diabetics are 10.3 times more likely to develop Covid-19, and their symptoms are more severe and life-threatening, with over a quarter of all infected patients already suffering from the illness as a pre-existing condition. Read Full Article at RT.com
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‘Do we want the Earth to become like Venus?’: Putin calls for swift & practical action on the ‘huge challenge’ of climate change
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 23, 2020
Vladimir Putin has called on the people of the world to come together and “tend to our planet” for future generations. The Russian President also warned that “unrestrained and unlimited consumption" will have to abandoned. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Trump touts ‘really good progress’ at Armenia-Azerbaijan talks in Washington as shelling in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh intensifies
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 23, 2020
Even as US President Donald Trump praised the “progress” made in talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, air raid sirens sounded over Stepanakert in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh, heralding another round of artillery bombardment. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Russian human rights activist calls on Telegram messenger to block 'pornbots' after thousands of women are stripped naked by AI
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 23, 2020
Moscow-based human rights activist Alyona Popova has called on Telegram to block 'pornbots,' which use AI to turn clothed pictures into nude ones. The Russian-designed app hosts a bot responsible for undressing people in photos. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Erdogan confirms tests of Russian-made S-400 missile systems, says Turkey not concerned objections of its American NATO allies
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 23, 2020
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed that Turkey has carried out tests of S-400 air defense systems it bought from Russia last year, adding that Washington's negative attitude towards the drills doesn't matter to Ankara. Read Full Article at RT.com
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A powerful & game-changing Russia/China military alliance is ‘quite possible’ in future but not on the cards yet, says Putin
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 23, 2020
An alliance between two of the planet's three most powerful militaries would profoundly alter the world order. Vladimir Putin believes that it is possible in the future that Russia and China could unite, but not yet necessary. Read Full Article at RT.com
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As Covid-19 crisis deepens, Russian Health Minister reveals Sputnik V vaccine is performing well in large scale final trial
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 23, 2020
The world's first coronavirus vaccine is performing well in post-registration trials, according to Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko. He also revealed that production has cranked up and nationwide deployment is imminent. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Nobody needs another Prigozhin. ‘Putin’s chef’ reportedly wants to expand his political influence and maybe even win a seat in Russia’s Parliament
on October 23, 2020
Evgeny Prigozhin, the Russian catering oligarch who allegedly owns a private military company and an Internet troll empire, wants to become an elected politician and he plans to use the “Rodina” party as his ticket into the State Duma, two sources close to the Putin administration and one person inside Prigozhin’s own inner circle told Meduza. Asked […]
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Putin says he personally asked Russian prosecutors to allow opposition figure Navalny to travel to Germany for medical treatment
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 22, 2020
Vladimir Putin has denied Russia’s involvement in the alleged poisoning of Alexei Navalny, saying he asked prosecutors to allow the anti-corruption activist, who had been under travel restrictions, to fly to Germany for treatment. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Putin says Germany & China are emerging superpowers, US can’t ‘dominate’ anymore, and UK’s & France’s roles have ‘transformed’
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 22, 2020
The era when world affairs were decided between Moscow and Washington is long gone, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, adding that other countries, such as China and Germany, are on their way to becoming superpowers. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Russian ventilator manufacturer fined following scrutiny over two hospital fires, same equipment was exported to US in April
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 22, 2020
The maker of Aventa-M lung ventilators, which were banned and recalled after two hospital fires, has been fined 500,000 rubles ($6,515). The same products were sent as part of a care package to the US, but never used there. Read Full Article at RT.com
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EU imposes sanctions on GRU officers over ‘Fancy Bear’ cyberattacks
on October 22, 2020
The Council of the European Union has imposed sanctions on two Russian citizens and a military intelligence center due to cyberattacks targeting Germany’s parliament in 2015 and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in 2018. This was announced in the latest volume of the Official Journal of the European Union. The United Kingdom […]
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Leading Russian virologist says another Covid-19 lockdown may lead to RIOTS, economic fallout could be worse than pandemic itself
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 22, 2020
After a strict lockdown last spring, the introduction of a second coronavirus quarantine in Russia has the potential to result in severe economic hardship and psychological suffering, which could eventually lead to mass unrest. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Putin says he personally helped secure Alexey Navalny’s release for treatment abroad
on October 22, 2020
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that he helped ensure opposition figure Alexey Navalny’s medical evacuation to Germany personally.
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Terrorist attack reportedly thwarted in Moscow region as FSB arrests suspect & seizes ISIS flag (VIDEO)
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 22, 2020
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) says it has prevented a terrorist attack in the Moscow area. It reported that special forces apprehended a would-be bomber who planned to blow up a government facility. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Cold War, coronavirus, climate change. Putin’s speech at the annual Valdai Discussion Club, in a nutshell
on October 22, 2020
On Thursday, October 22, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a speech at the annual Valdai Discussion Club via video link. He talked for about forty minutes and covered a wide range of topics, including the coronavirus pandemic, the post-Cold War order, and the existential trials and tribulations of our times. Here’s what he said, in brief.
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Former politician suspected of organizing contract killings of Krasnoyarsk mobsters arrested hours after transfer to house arrest
on October 22, 2020
During the afternoon of Thursday, October 22, businessman and former politician Anatoly Bykov was arrested in Krasnoyarsk, reports Interfax.
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‘We are by your side’: European Parliament awards Belarusian opposition the 2020 Sakharov Prize
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 22, 2020
The European Parliament has awarded Belarus' opposition the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The annual award recognizes the work of individuals or organizations who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Ten years of construction. Billionaire Arkady Rotenberg’s company tops list Moscow’s main outside contractors under Mayor Sobyanin
on October 22, 2020
Russian billionaire Arkady Rotenberg, a friend of President Vladimir Putin, has been the main outside contractor for the Moscow authorities during the ten years that Mayor Sergey Sobyanin has been in charge of the city, reports a new joint investigation from the investigative site Proekt and business magazine Forbes.
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Amid spat with US over Moscow deal, defense minister insists Turkey won't integrate Russian-made S-400 systems into NATO networks
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 22, 2020
State of the art S-400 air defense systems which Ankara bought from Moscow - despite opposition from the US - will operate outside of NATO's command and control infrastructure, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has confirmed. Read Full Article at RT.com
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America's most wanted man to remain far from Uncle Sam's reach: Whistleblower Edward Snowden granted permanent residency in Russia
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 22, 2020
Seven years after he landed in Moscow and received sanctuary from Washington's attempts to silence him, US National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden has been granted a Russian permanent residency permit. Read Full Article at RT.com
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75 years after ‘Stunde Null,’ collapse in Russian-German relations is driven by Berlin’s renewed desire to dominate Europe
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 22, 2020
For decades, elites in Russia and Germany spoke of the two countries’ special responsibility to guarantee peace and stability in Europe. Those days are over, as Berlin has apparently decided it no longer needs to listen to Moscow. Read Full Article at RT.com
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A federal lawmaker participating in Russia’s coronavirus-vaccine trial has contracted COVID-19
on October 22, 2020
Russian lawmaker Valery Gartung, the deputy head of the “Just Russia” faction in the State Duma, announced on Facebook on October 21 that he has tested positive for COVID-19, though he has no symptoms of the illness. Gartung is one of 40,000 people participating in the Stage III trials of “Sputnik V,” Russia’s first registered vaccine against the […]
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Russian court fines ventilator-manufacturer for shoddy production. The same company made the devices that were shipped in April to the U.S., which later dumped them in the trash.
on October 22, 2020
An arbitration court in the Sverdlovsk region has fined the Ural Instrument Making Plant 500,000 rubles ($6,500) for manufacturing faulty equipment after federal regulators discovered violations of licensing requirements in the production, maintenance, and circulation of medical devices.
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Former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko investigated for plotting coup
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 21, 2020
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office has launched a criminal case into an alleged coup plot by former President Petro Poroshenko and his associates, an opposition MP has announced, publishing scans of the relevant documents. Read Full Article at RT.com
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‘It’s what society wants’. Belarusian bodybuilding champion divorces husband identified as riot policeman in infamous protest snapshot
on October 21, 2020
Belarusian Internal Troops Officer Timur Grishko was captured in one of the most well-known photographs from the first night of post-election opposition protests in Belarus. Ever since his identity leaked online, his wife, fitness trainer and Belarusian bodybuilding champion Liliya Salimgareeva, has faced constant harassment. Now, she has confirmed to the […]
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Putin says Russia isn’t planning to introduce a second coronavirus lockdown
on October 21, 2020
The Russian government isn’t planning to introduce severe restrictions due to the ongoing spread of the coronavirus in the country, said President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with members of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs on Wednesday, October 21.
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Dmitry Smirnov: Russian cleric who called live-in girlfriends ‘free prostitutes’ & likened abortion to the Holocaust dies age 69
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 21, 2020
Controversial Russian priest Dmitry Smirnov has died aged 69, months after reportedly recovering from Covid-19. The cleric was well known for his ultra-conservative views, often causing social media uproar with his opinions. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Top Russian admiral slams Zelensky's plans to build two Ukrainian Black Sea Naval bases as 'no threat': 'even NATO won't use them'
by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on October 21, 2020
The former commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of “politicking" and showboating after Kiev announced it will build two naval bases on the strategically vital body of water. Read Full Article at RT.com
