Corporation Russia
Net capital outflow from Russia in the first nine months of 2020 increased by 50% to $59bln, according to the Central Bank of Russia.
In January-Septemper 2019, the level of capital flight was $39.8bln.
Needless to say, this money goes mostly to Europe and the US, to which Russia, according to Kremlin’s propaganda, poses an existential threat. We would say that this is a nice threat.
America definitely needs more of those.
Net capital outflow from Russia in the first nine months of 2020 increased by 50% to $59bln, according to the Central Bank of Russia.
In January-Septemper 2019, the level of capital flight was $39.8bln.
Needless to say, this money goes mostly to Europe and the US, to which Russia, according to Kremlin’s propaganda, poses an existential threat. We would say that this is a nice threat.
America definitely needs more of those.
Former MP and Crimean prosecutor Natalia Poklonskaya was finally appointed Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Cape Verde Islands.
Poklonskaya was the Prosecutor of Crimea in 2014 and fully supported the Russian operation in Crimea. She had an immense PR potential which hasn’t gone unnoticed – Poklonskaya became the MP in 2016.
Unfortunately, she didn’t know that MP in Russia isn’t supposed to have his or her own opinion on anything. Duma in Russia is a printer which prints drafts, laws and bills written by Presidential Administration.
When she didn’t support Kremlin’s criminal pension reform, which was a robbery of elder people by Kremlin, it was all over. Anyway, nobody really knew what she was doing in Duma.
It is so symbolic and so Russian that Poklonskaya’s Russian Spring ended in Africa. Lucky her. Many of its “heroes” are already dead.
Poklonskaya was the Prosecutor of Crimea in 2014 and fully supported the Russian operation in Crimea. She had an immense PR potential which hasn’t gone unnoticed – Poklonskaya became the MP in 2016.
Unfortunately, she didn’t know that MP in Russia isn’t supposed to have his or her own opinion on anything. Duma in Russia is a printer which prints drafts, laws and bills written by Presidential Administration.
When she didn’t support Kremlin’s criminal pension reform, which was a robbery of elder people by Kremlin, it was all over. Anyway, nobody really knew what she was doing in Duma.
It is so symbolic and so Russian that Poklonskaya’s Russian Spring ended in Africa. Lucky her. Many of its “heroes” are already dead.
According to the HSE survey, the number of people engaged in scientific activities in Russia has hit a ten year minimum and is slightly above 679000. There number of researches decreased almost by 2000 in a one year span.
Throughout its history Russia produced a lot of prominent scientists, but now Russian science is headed to nowhere. Kremlin is practically exterminating it by numerous treason charges against scientists.
Aging Putin and his cronies do not understand that scientific research is impossible without international contacts. Absurd repressive changes to Russia’s education law banning non-state-approved educational activities and cooperation with foreign academics have already come to effect.
Even if they understand the importance of science, these people do not need it. Russia is not a scientific or hi-tech corporation, it is solely about money.
Throughout its history Russia produced a lot of prominent scientists, but now Russian science is headed to nowhere. Kremlin is practically exterminating it by numerous treason charges against scientists.
Aging Putin and his cronies do not understand that scientific research is impossible without international contacts. Absurd repressive changes to Russia’s education law banning non-state-approved educational activities and cooperation with foreign academics have already come to effect.
Even if they understand the importance of science, these people do not need it. Russia is not a scientific or hi-tech corporation, it is solely about money.
Very symbolic incident in Chechnya. If the third war there ever starts, it will be much more brutal than the previous two.
According to various accounts, Kadyrov, being obsessed with matters of prestige the way he understands it, pays money to every Chechen awarded a maroon beret – an honor insignia of Russian commandos.
It appeared that Chechen applicants cheated while trying to meet the standard necessary for getting the beret. For example, they were given rides in the cars during the “march”, which is unheard of.
Of course, these manipulations couldn’t go unseen. A fight among Chechens and Russians broke out. Now the holders of berets among Russian commandos want to give the insignia up because it has been disgraced.
Russian Guard denied these facts as rumors, which was predictable since its Director Viktor Zolotov is one of Kadyrov’s closest contacts in Kremlin.
Russian veterans and military personnel are naturally very nationalist. Most of them sincerely hate Kadyrov, Chechens and all "nerusskiys".
The problem with this narrative is that it is not Kadyrov’s fault. He is only following the rules set by Kremlin. That’s the way the country is run, and Kadyrov is the most Russian leader in Caucasus ever.
According to various accounts, Kadyrov, being obsessed with matters of prestige the way he understands it, pays money to every Chechen awarded a maroon beret – an honor insignia of Russian commandos.
It appeared that Chechen applicants cheated while trying to meet the standard necessary for getting the beret. For example, they were given rides in the cars during the “march”, which is unheard of.
Of course, these manipulations couldn’t go unseen. A fight among Chechens and Russians broke out. Now the holders of berets among Russian commandos want to give the insignia up because it has been disgraced.
Russian Guard denied these facts as rumors, which was predictable since its Director Viktor Zolotov is one of Kadyrov’s closest contacts in Kremlin.
Russian veterans and military personnel are naturally very nationalist. Most of them sincerely hate Kadyrov, Chechens and all "nerusskiys".
The problem with this narrative is that it is not Kadyrov’s fault. He is only following the rules set by Kremlin. That’s the way the country is run, and Kadyrov is the most Russian leader in Caucasus ever.
The expulsion of eight Russian spies from the country’s mission in Brussels offended Kremlin so much that it decided to suspend the whole mission and will strip NATO’s mission in Moscow from accreditation starting from November.
It is like when a kid is caught doing wrong and gets offended by it so much that stops talking to anyone.
Well, let the kid be silent. This is hilarious. That’s what happens when the country and its foreign intelligence are being run on commercial grounds.
It is like when a kid is caught doing wrong and gets offended by it so much that stops talking to anyone.
Well, let the kid be silent. This is hilarious. That’s what happens when the country and its foreign intelligence are being run on commercial grounds.
Russia has started to deport Afghans on the demand of Taliban which is considered a terrorist organization by Kremlin.
Rouhani Rafiullah, the nephew of the former Chief of Staff of the Afghan National Army Khaibatullah Alizai, has been sent off from Moscow airport to Doha shortly after his arrival. Rafiullah is a student of Krasnodar University.
Doha deported him to Tehran. If Iran proceeds with deportation, Rafiullah, who is only 21 years old, will likely face death in the hands of Taliban.
On the one hand, it is genuinely funny to look at Taliban getting the best out of Russian paper tiger. On the other hand, the kid might be killed.
Kremlin likes to talk about morals a lot. Now it gives people up in the hands of terrorists, thinking that Russia would get something instead or guarantee the security of Tajikistan.
Rouhani Rafiullah, the nephew of the former Chief of Staff of the Afghan National Army Khaibatullah Alizai, has been sent off from Moscow airport to Doha shortly after his arrival. Rafiullah is a student of Krasnodar University.
Doha deported him to Tehran. If Iran proceeds with deportation, Rafiullah, who is only 21 years old, will likely face death in the hands of Taliban.
On the one hand, it is genuinely funny to look at Taliban getting the best out of Russian paper tiger. On the other hand, the kid might be killed.
Kremlin likes to talk about morals a lot. Now it gives people up in the hands of terrorists, thinking that Russia would get something instead or guarantee the security of Tajikistan.
Head of Russian Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin:
“The stuff I see throughout the Leningrad region is just appalling. I can’t pretend to be indifferent. They’ve just flooded the place. One day, it’s the Asians pushing in, then it’s the Kyrgyz, then the Tajiks, and now the Krasnodarians are flooding the place. Go back”.
Racist, xenophobic and almost brain dead individual is one of Russia’s top siloviks. To be fair, others – Bortnikov, Patrushev, Zolotov etc – are not better. In any normal country Bastrykin would be gone instantly after comments like that.
It’s Russia though, so soon we will likely find out that the whole scandal was initiated by someone else, and it’s not Bastrykin’s fault. Friendly telegram channels are already working.
“The stuff I see throughout the Leningrad region is just appalling. I can’t pretend to be indifferent. They’ve just flooded the place. One day, it’s the Asians pushing in, then it’s the Kyrgyz, then the Tajiks, and now the Krasnodarians are flooding the place. Go back”.
Racist, xenophobic and almost brain dead individual is one of Russia’s top siloviks. To be fair, others – Bortnikov, Patrushev, Zolotov etc – are not better. In any normal country Bastrykin would be gone instantly after comments like that.
It’s Russia though, so soon we will likely find out that the whole scandal was initiated by someone else, and it’s not Bastrykin’s fault. Friendly telegram channels are already working.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation raided a Washington mansion linked to sanctioned Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska in a “court-authorized law enforcement activity”.
Deripaska’s comments were made in the usual modern Russian absurd style. The oligarch is wondering at the stupidity of American elites.
Well, American elites are anything but stupid, and this boy will understand it soon enough. As well as other Russians. Involvement in American elections of 2016 has been a mistake.
This is a clear step towards further sanctions against the country. Deripaska’s owners in Kremlin stated that Moscow is ready to protect the interests of Russian citizens.
In this case, Putin can help Deripaska only at the expenses of Russian people and economy.
Deripaska’s comments were made in the usual modern Russian absurd style. The oligarch is wondering at the stupidity of American elites.
Well, American elites are anything but stupid, and this boy will understand it soon enough. As well as other Russians. Involvement in American elections of 2016 has been a mistake.
This is a clear step towards further sanctions against the country. Deripaska’s owners in Kremlin stated that Moscow is ready to protect the interests of Russian citizens.
In this case, Putin can help Deripaska only at the expenses of Russian people and economy.
While Putin's boy Deripaska is being mad, let's elaborate on the difference between FSB and FBI: FSB cannot raid mansions of American billionaires, like FBI did with Deripaska's houses. American billionaires do not have mansions in Russia.
Russian gas ultimatum to Europe failed. Kremlin tried to take advantage of the current gas crisis and enhance its export to the EU in exchange for regulatory approval to start shipments through the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and long-term contracts with Gazprom.
According to Russia’s envoy to the EU Chizhov, Brussels rejected both terms.
Kremlin has to look for some over instruments of foreign policy other than blackmailing. Or at least feel who it just cannot blackmail. It fails to do both.
According to Russia’s envoy to the EU Chizhov, Brussels rejected both terms.
Kremlin has to look for some over instruments of foreign policy other than blackmailing. Or at least feel who it just cannot blackmail. It fails to do both.
Russian Circle
Russia’s Deputy PM Alexander Novak said that food prices in the country will likely increase even more because of the effect gas prices in Europe had on the fertilizing industry.
This is comic and tragic at the same time. First, Kremlin tries to blackmail EU and refuses to increase its gas export without regulatory approval of Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Second, gas prices hit the sky. Third, so do the fertilizers. Fourth, Novak suddenly realizes that this will lead to food inflation in Russia.
Russians who are becoming catastrophically poor will pay for another folly of brilliant strategists in Kremlin. Every time Moscow tries to somehow punish the West, it ends up punishing Russians.
Russia’s Deputy PM Alexander Novak said that food prices in the country will likely increase even more because of the effect gas prices in Europe had on the fertilizing industry.
This is comic and tragic at the same time. First, Kremlin tries to blackmail EU and refuses to increase its gas export without regulatory approval of Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Second, gas prices hit the sky. Third, so do the fertilizers. Fourth, Novak suddenly realizes that this will lead to food inflation in Russia.
Russians who are becoming catastrophically poor will pay for another folly of brilliant strategists in Kremlin. Every time Moscow tries to somehow punish the West, it ends up punishing Russians.
Valdai speech of Putin was boring, grey and predictable. The President talked a bunch of nonsense about capitalism, conservatism, Hollywood etc.
We have to understand that Putin’s conservatism is an order which allows him and other Russian feudals to proceed with their personal enrichment at the expense of the whole country. That’s about it.
Money and power – that’s the only idea Putin has. He isn’t able to set strategic goals and fell well behind the time.
It wasn’t a speech of a modern leader, it was a speech of bunker Putin. We tried to discuss it with a couple of people in Washington, but there is just nothing to discuss. One of our respondents summed it up like “Putin forgot to take his pills”.
We have to understand that Putin’s conservatism is an order which allows him and other Russian feudals to proceed with their personal enrichment at the expense of the whole country. That’s about it.
Money and power – that’s the only idea Putin has. He isn’t able to set strategic goals and fell well behind the time.
It wasn’t a speech of a modern leader, it was a speech of bunker Putin. We tried to discuss it with a couple of people in Washington, but there is just nothing to discuss. One of our respondents summed it up like “Putin forgot to take his pills”.
Bank of Russia increased today its key interest rate sharply to 7.5%, delivering its sixth hike this year in an effort to tame the highest inflation since early 2016, and indicated that more rate rises were still possible.
High inflation dents living standards and has been one of the key concerns among households, taking into consideration a stunning poverty of Russians.
Putin’s conservatism at its best. God forbid any changes.
High inflation dents living standards and has been one of the key concerns among households, taking into consideration a stunning poverty of Russians.
Putin’s conservatism at its best. God forbid any changes.
Russian Covid Disaster
It is safe to say that out of all major countries of the world Russia is handling Covid the worst. Russian death toll is devastating.
On the one hand, it shows the incompetence of Russian public administration starting from the President. The only thing these people are highly effective in is corruption.
On the other hand, Russian deaths are directly connected with low vaccination rates. Sputnik is availiable, although questionable, but people still resist to take its shots.
It shows how low is the trust level between the people of Russia and Kremlin. It also shows that if you feed your people with propaganda about Americans and enemies of Russia 24/7, then they lose the ability of critical thinking elsewhere.
Just think about it: almost 23% of daily registered deaths from Covid all over the world yesterday were Russians. 1072 people of 4743. We don’t think that Bunker Prophet Putin and his inner circle really care though.
It is safe to say that out of all major countries of the world Russia is handling Covid the worst. Russian death toll is devastating.
On the one hand, it shows the incompetence of Russian public administration starting from the President. The only thing these people are highly effective in is corruption.
On the other hand, Russian deaths are directly connected with low vaccination rates. Sputnik is availiable, although questionable, but people still resist to take its shots.
It shows how low is the trust level between the people of Russia and Kremlin. It also shows that if you feed your people with propaganda about Americans and enemies of Russia 24/7, then they lose the ability of critical thinking elsewhere.
Just think about it: almost 23% of daily registered deaths from Covid all over the world yesterday were Russians. 1072 people of 4743. We don’t think that Bunker Prophet Putin and his inner circle really care though.
Tatarstan is resisting the latest draft which is aimed to dismantle Russian federalism and turn the regions into actual colonies. Tatar parliament found that the draft of Klishas and Krasheninnikov doesn’t meet the requirements of federal Constitutuion.
Kremlin wants the President of Tatarstan not to be called the President. There could be only one, and he must be an ethnic Russian.
Tatarstan is the last non-Russian region with the leader officially called the President.
Kremlin wants the President of Tatarstan not to be called the President. There could be only one, and he must be an ethnic Russian.
Tatarstan is the last non-Russian region with the leader officially called the President.
A Dutch court ruled on Tuesday to hand over golden Scythian artifacts from Crimea to Ukraine, dealing a blow to Russia’s claims to the collection.
Allard Pierson Museum’s “Crimea: Gold and Secrets of the Black Sea” exhibit opened in February 2014, one month before Russia seized the Black Sea peninsula from Ukraine.
Both Russia and Ukraine claimed the artifacts, and now the court in Amsterdam sided with Ukraine.
This has already driven anger from Russian lawmakers and officials. It is indeed a significant blow, since Russian policies are often driven by symbolic issues and Putin has to look like an almighty figure.
Sure enough, Kyiv will make a big deal of it to further irritate Kremlin. Russians should’ve been more responsible in the case of MH17 flight which was clearly shot down by a Buk surface-to-air missile launched from a Russian-controlled territory.
Allard Pierson Museum’s “Crimea: Gold and Secrets of the Black Sea” exhibit opened in February 2014, one month before Russia seized the Black Sea peninsula from Ukraine.
Both Russia and Ukraine claimed the artifacts, and now the court in Amsterdam sided with Ukraine.
This has already driven anger from Russian lawmakers and officials. It is indeed a significant blow, since Russian policies are often driven by symbolic issues and Putin has to look like an almighty figure.
Sure enough, Kyiv will make a big deal of it to further irritate Kremlin. Russians should’ve been more responsible in the case of MH17 flight which was clearly shot down by a Buk surface-to-air missile launched from a Russian-controlled territory.
Murders in Moscow
Former top-manager of Smolensk Bank Mikhail Yakhontov, his wife, and their son were killed in their Moscow apartment. In 2016, Yakhontov’s name was mentioned in a criminal case on intentional bankruptcy.
Former Deputy Head of the Main Directorate for Combating Economic Crimes of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, a 69-years old Alexey Novoseltsev was killed in Moscow.
As the socioeconomic environment in Russia is getting worse day by day, the criminal environment is getting closer and closer to the 90s.
Former top-manager of Smolensk Bank Mikhail Yakhontov, his wife, and their son were killed in their Moscow apartment. In 2016, Yakhontov’s name was mentioned in a criminal case on intentional bankruptcy.
Former Deputy Head of the Main Directorate for Combating Economic Crimes of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, a 69-years old Alexey Novoseltsev was killed in Moscow.
As the socioeconomic environment in Russia is getting worse day by day, the criminal environment is getting closer and closer to the 90s.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces confirmed on Tuesday that the Ukrainian military used the Turkish-made Bayraktar UAV. According to the press service, the drone was used "to enforce ceasefire compliance by the enemy."
There are three things you can watch forever: fire burning, water falling and Erdogan humiliating Putin. Russia has found itself in a same weight class with Turkey and it looks like Kremlin isn’t able to handle even that.
There are three things you can watch forever: fire burning, water falling and Erdogan humiliating Putin. Russia has found itself in a same weight class with Turkey and it looks like Kremlin isn’t able to handle even that.
EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson told European energy ministers that Brussels' competition police had started gathering evidence on whether soaring energy prices can be blamed on illegal activity by any of the bloc's main gas suppliers.
The gas supplier which is not mentioned is Gazprom. EU is taking its usually effective actions against the Russian gas monopoly: competition law is EU’s most powerful policy in this case.
Brussels will try to collect evidence of the company withholding supply to increase prices. The European Commission can issue a fine of up to 10 percent of a company's turnover in a financial year.
The gas supplier which is not mentioned is Gazprom. EU is taking its usually effective actions against the Russian gas monopoly: competition law is EU’s most powerful policy in this case.
Brussels will try to collect evidence of the company withholding supply to increase prices. The European Commission can issue a fine of up to 10 percent of a company's turnover in a financial year.
Russian inflation shot a new high. Annual price rises, according to Rosstat, came in at 7.97% by October 25.
This is the highest level of inflation since February 2016. Prices have risen twice over governments initial target of 4% and will almost surely go up further. Kremlin isn’t able to target the inflation.
If the official inflation is that high, then the real inflation in Russia has almost certainly hit double digits. With the fall in Russia’s agricultural output price rises for basic food products in the coming months seem inevitable.
Taking into consideration the stunning poverty of Russians, it won’t be any exaggeration to say that the inflation in Russia is catastrophic.
This is the highest level of inflation since February 2016. Prices have risen twice over governments initial target of 4% and will almost surely go up further. Kremlin isn’t able to target the inflation.
If the official inflation is that high, then the real inflation in Russia has almost certainly hit double digits. With the fall in Russia’s agricultural output price rises for basic food products in the coming months seem inevitable.
Taking into consideration the stunning poverty of Russians, it won’t be any exaggeration to say that the inflation in Russia is catastrophic.