Russia (6do encyclopedia)230509



Russia, also known as the Russian Federation, is a country located in Eurasia. It is the largest country in the world, covering over 17 million square kilometers. Russia is bordered by Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, North Korea, and Mongolia. Its capital is Moscow and its official language is Russian.

History
The history of Russia dates back to the 9th century when the East Slavs formed the Kievan Rus. In the 13th century, Mongol invaders conquered and ruled the territory, which led to the fragmentation of the Kievan Rus. The Grand Duchy of Moscow emerged as the dominant power over the other principalities, and in the 16th century, Ivan IV, also known as Ivan the Terrible, became the first ruler to be crowned as the Tsar of All Rus. The Romanov dynasty ruled Russia for over three centuries until the Russian Revolution of 1917 saw the fall of the Tsarist regime and the rise of the Soviet Union. The Soviet era saw major social, political, and economic changes until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, leading to the formation of the Russian Federation.

Geography
Russia is the largest country in the world, spanning two continents, Europe and Asia. It has an area of 17.1 million square kilometers and a population of approximately 147 million people. The country has 11 time zones and encompasses diverse geographical features such as plains, plateaus, mountains, and forests. The Ural Mountains divide the country into two parts, the European and Asian sides. The country has a vast network of waterways, including the Volga, which is the longest river in Europe. Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world, is located in Russia.

Politics and Government
Russia is a federal semi-presidential republic with a President as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. The President is elected for a term of six years and can serve for two consecutive terms. The Parliament is composed of the State Duma or the lower house and the Federation Council or the upper house. The judiciary is independent and has a Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, and lower courts. The political system in Russia has faced criticism for being undemocratic and having limited political freedoms.

Economy
Russia has a mixed economy that is heavily reliant on its natural resources. The country has vast reserves of oil, natural gas, coal, and metals, making it one of the leading producers and exporters of these resources in the world. The country has diversified its economy in recent years, with the service sector contributing significantly to the GDP. Manufacturing and agriculture also play an important role in the economy. Despite the country’s potential, it has faced economic challenges due to factors such as economic sanctions, low oil prices, and corruption.

Culture and Society
Russia has a rich cultural heritage that encompasses art, literature, music, and architecture. The country is known for its classical music traditions, with prominent composers such as Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Shostakovich. Russian literature has produced some of the world’s greatest literary works, including War and Peace by Tolstoy and Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky. The country’s architecture has diverse influences, including Byzantine, Baroque, and Soviet-era styles. The Russian Orthodox Church plays an important role in the country’s religious and cultural identity.

The society in Russia is diverse, with over 180 ethnic groups and languages spoken. The majority of the population speaks Russian. The country has faced challenges related to social issues such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination. The government has implemented policies to address these challenges, with varying degrees of success.

Conclusion
Russia is a fascinating country with a rich history, diverse geography, and unique culture. The country faces challenges related to its political system, economy, and social issues, which require careful attention and action. Despite the challenges, Russia has tremendous potential and remains a significant player in the global political and economic arena.


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Russia’s losses are worse than anyone thinks

Telegraph

23-05-09 18:00


Innovative tactics are enabling the Ukrainian army to succeed against Russia, whose troops are reportedly suffering casualties at levels resembling those of World War I. Kiev's forces are employing drones and tech-savvy personnel, most of who have adapted and repurposed off-the-shelf civilian products for battle. Moscow, by contrast, continues to focus investment on its artillery-based military forces, having spent multiples of what Ukraine has on shells. While Western analysts have tended to be conservative about estimating the scale of Russian casualties in Ukraine, the country's use of "precision targeting" will change planning assumptions for all military forces.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/05/09/russias-losses-are-worse-than-anyone-thinks/
Ukraine: The Latest podcast - Putin's Victory Day speech 'insults' Russia's WW2 veterans

Telegraph

23-05-09 17:21


The Russian President, Vladi­mir Putin’s scaled-back Victory Day Parade in Moscow has been seen as an admission that the Russian army has been decimated in Ukraine. The Parade commemorates the end of the Second World War, however Putin focused most of his speech on Eastern Ukraine, and fighting for Russia. Commentators have suggested that last year Russia was threatening to be in Kiev in three days, now they are simply hoping Putin was not killed in a drone strike on the Kremlin.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/05/09/putins-victory-day-speech-insults-russias-ww2-veterans/
Syria returns to Arab League: What will it change?

Deutsche Welle

23-05-09 17:03


The Arab League's recent decision to invite Syria back into the fold may have more to do with local and regional politics than geopolitics. In a DW article that explores the reasons for the Arab League's move, experts said the organisation's members had perhaps determined there was no alternative but to engage with the Assad regime directly. Syria's readmission is "years in the making" but has been hastened due to a growing distance between western countries and the region, as well as to increased competition from local actors including Gulf States and Iran, and Russia and Turkey. Critics argue it will do little for Syria's war-weary populace or the international community's insistence that Assad is a war criminal.

https://www.dw.com/en/syria-returns-to-arab-league-what-will-it-change/a-65561532
Syr­ia’s re­turn to Arab League leaves op­po­si­tion dis­mayed

Al Jazeera

23-05-09 17:01


The decision to allow Syria back into the Arab League has sparked anger among many residents of opposition-held northern Syria and members of the country’s political opposition, who see it as a vindication of the government’s attacks against them during a now 12-year war. Several Arab League members decided this week to reinstate Syria’s membership, under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad, after more than a decade of isolation at the organisation’s headquarters in Cairo on Sunday.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/9/syrias-return-to-arab-league-leaves-opposition-dismayed
U.S. says it has disabled major Russian cyberespionage operation

Washington Post

23-05-09 16:59


US law enforcement personnel have disrupted Russia’s Snake Malware tool, which was used for 20 years to steal confidential government data from the US and its allies and was one of Russia’s most sophisticated cyber-espionage tools. The Federal Security Service was reportedly behind the operation which deployed the Snake malware in at least 50 countries to steal information, and possibly also spy on “targets of interest.” Diplomatic sources said the US coordinated its investigative activities with other foreign governments, and also timed the execution of a search warrant to neutralise the operation.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/05/09/russian-cyberespionage-disrupted-snake/