Russia (6do encyclopedia)230511



Russia, formerly known as the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country situated in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Russia is the world’s largest country by land area, covering approximately one-eighth of the earth’s land surface. The country spans eleven time zones and shares land borders with Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea.

Russia is a massive country with a population of over 144.5 million people, making it the ninth most populous country in the world. The country covers an area of roughly 6.6 million square miles, making it the largest country in the world by land area. Moscow is the country’s capital and most populous city, with over 12 million residents.

History

Russia has a rich and complex history that spans over a thousand years. The early history of the region is shrouded in myth and legend, with various tribes and kingdoms vying for dominance in the region. The earliest known state to emerge in the region was the Kievan Rus, which was founded in the 9th century and went on to become one of the most powerful states in Europe.

In the 13th century, Mongol forces invaded and conquered much of the region, ushering in a period of Mongol dominance that lasted for over two centuries. In the late 15th century, Russia began to emerge as a major power, with the Grand Duchy of Moscow leading the way in the reunification and consolidation of Russian lands.

In the early 18th century, Peter the Great came to power and began a program of modernization and westernization that transformed Russia into a major European power. Russia continued to expand its territory throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, acquiring vast territories in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

The 20th century was marked by significant political upheaval, including the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to the establishment of the Soviet Union. Under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin and his successor Joseph Stalin, the Soviet Union became a superpower and a global ideological force.

The Soviet era was marked by significant political repression and human rights abuses, as well as a Cold War standoff with the United States and its allies. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a period of political and economic liberalization in Russia.

Geography

Russia is a vast country that covers a vast geographic area. The country is divided into seven federal districts, each of which contains between 5 and 17 regions.

The majority of Russia’s population is concentrated in the western portions of the country, particularly around Moscow and Saint Petersburg. However, much of the country’s land area is sparsely populated, with vast stretches of uninhabited land in the north and east.

Russia is home to a diverse range of geographic features, including the vast Siberian plains, the rugged Ural Mountains, the frozen Arctic tundra, and the Volga River valley.

Climate

Russia’s climate is highly diverse, with a range of different climate zones throughout the country. Much of the country experiences long, cold winters and short, mild summers, while areas around the Black Sea and Caspian Sea have a subtropical climate.

Economy

Russia’s economy is heavily dependent on the export of natural resources, particularly oil and natural gas. Russia is the world’s largest exporter of oil and the second-largest exporter of natural gas.

In recent years, Russia has made efforts to modernize and diversify its economy, with a particular focus on developing its technology and innovation sectors. However, the country still faces significant challenges, including corruption, a lack of investment in infrastructure, and an aging population.

Culture

Russia has a rich and diverse cultural heritage, with a long history of literature, music, and art. Russian literature has produced some of the world’s most influential works, including the novels of Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Russia is also home to a vibrant musical tradition, with world-renowned classical composers such as Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff hailing from the country. In popular music, Russian artists have made significant contributions to the world of rock and pop music, with bands such as Gorky Park and t.A.T.u. gaining international acclaim.

Despite the country’s rich cultural heritage, Russia has faced challenges in recent years regarding human rights and freedom of expression. The government has faced criticism for its restrictions on political dissent and its treatment of minorities, particularly the LGBT community.

Conclusion

Russia is a massive and complex country with a long and rich history. Despite its challenges, the country continues to play a significant role on the world stage, particularly in the areas of energy production and technology. As Russia continues to evolve and modernize, it will likely face significant challenges, both internally and globally, but its rich cultural heritage and vast resources will ensure that it remains a key player in the global community.


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Ukraine says it's received $16.7 bln in foreign aid this year

Reuters

23-05-11 14:58


The Ukrainian government has received $16.7bn in financial aid from its western allies so far this year, to cushion the economic impact from Russia's incursion in 2014 and the subsequent loss of revenue. The IMF and EU have warned that Ukraine's continuing conflict in the east threatens to undermine the financing support provided by international donors to help stabilise the economy. The Ukrainian government has reportedly been plagued by corruption recently, prompting Western partners to tighten their control over how aid funds are used.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-its-received-167-bln-foreign-aid-this-year-2023-05-11/
Russia's war on Ukraine latest: Kyiv offensive yet to start

Reuters

23-05-11 14:53


Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that the country's counteroffensive against Russian forces has not yet begun, despite claims from generals of successes against Russian troops near Bakhmut. Ukraine has reportedly pushed Russian forces back in recent days, but officials say that a fuller offensive is still being planned. Meanwhile, officials from Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations have discussed U.N. proposals aiming to allow the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain, following Moscow's announcement that it will quit the deal on May 18 due to obstacles to its own grain and fertilizer exports.

https://www.reuters.com/world/russias-war-ukraine-latest-kyiv-offensive-yet-start-2023-05-11/
US accuses South Africa of supplying arms to Russia

Financial Times

23-05-11 14:52


The US Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, has accused South Africa of providing arms to Russia in a covert naval operation, increasing pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa over the country's ties to Russia and its position on the Ukraine war. Brigety claimed that the US believed weapons and ammunition were loaded on to the Lady R, a Russian vessel under sanctions, which docked at Simon's Town naval dockyard near Cape Town in December. Ramaphosa's government is under pressure over signs it is favouring Russia; however, South Africa has denied claims that it has provided weapons to Moscow since its invasion of Ukraine.

https://www.ft.com/content/7ad94426-aafc-4f04-99d7-05f6d5e6f71d
Factbox: Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system

Reuters

23-05-11 14:50


Israel's Iron Dome air defence system has had a 96% success rate in intercepting rockets from Gaza during the latest round of fighting. Rafael Advanced Defence Systems developed the system with US backing to counter rocket fire in the region. The system comprises truck-towed units that use radar-guided missiles to shoot short-range threats like rockets, mortars, and drones mid-air. The high success rate over the past 10 years, corroborated by Pentagon officials, has gained international attention. Rafael delivered two Iron Dome batteries to the US Army in 2020, while Ukraine is seeking supply in its war with Russia.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-iron-dome-missile-defence-system-2023-05-11/
CNN town hall lays bare Trump’s very unpopular agenda

Washington Post

23-05-11 14:50


Former President Trump faced off with CNN host Kaitlan Collins in a town hall event on 21 July. Critics have accused the former President of spreading false and misleading claims during the broadcast, which lasted over an hour. However, Trump was pressed on topics he usually avoids, such as whether he would pardon Jan. 6 rioters, as well as questions on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and family separations at the US-Mexico border. The event came as some in the Republican party expressed concern over the potential for the former President to damage the party’s image.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/11/trump-cnn-town-hall-unpopular-policies/