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Russia

Russia, 1991 to today. Draft, not yet reviewed

In 1991, the Russian SFSR emerged from the dissolution of the Soviet Union as the Russian Federation. Following a constitutional crisis in 1993, a new constitution was adopted, establishing a semi-presidential republic. Since the turn of the century, Russia's political system has been dominated by Vladimir Putin. Russia has been militarily involved in numerous conflicts, including its war with Georgia in 2008 and its war with Ukraine since 2014, the latter has involved the internationally unrecognised annexation of Crimea in 2014 and four additional regions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, resulting in a full-scale war.

Seat of power: Moscow

Rulers

Boris Yeltsin

President of Russia, 1991–1999

Yeltsin oversaw the transition of Russia's command economy into a capitalist market economy by implementing economic shock therapy, market exchange rate of the ruble, nationwide privatization, and lifting of price controls. A constitutional crisis emerged in 1993 after Yeltsin ordered the unconstitutional dissolution of the Russian parliament, leading parliament to impeach him.

Portrait of Boris Yeltsin: Presidential Press and Information Office, CC BY 4.0, file

Victor Chernomyrdin

President of Russia, 1996–1996

When Boris Yeltsin was undergoing a heart operation on 6 November 1996, Chernomyrdin served as acting president for 23 hours. In May 1992, President Boris Yeltsin appointed Chernomyrdin as deputy prime minister in charge of fuel and energy.

Portrait of Victor Chernomyrdin: Александр Стручков, CC BY-SA 3.0, file

Vladimir Putin

President of Russia, 1999–2008

During Putin's initial presidential tenure, the Russian economy grew on average by seven percent per year as a result of several economic reforms and a fivefold increase in the price of oil and gas. Additionally, Putin led Russia in a conflict against Chechen separatists, re-establishing federal control over the region.

Portrait of Vladimir Putin: Пресс-служба Президента РФ, CC BY 4.0, file

Dmitry Medvedev

President of Russia, 2008–2012

Medvedev's agenda as president was a wide-ranging modernisation programme, aimed at modernising Russia's economy and society, and lessening the country's reliance on oil and gas. During Medvedev's tenure, the United States and Russia signed the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty.

Portrait of Dmitry Medvedev: Пресс-служба Президента России, CC BY 4.0, file

Vladimir Putin

President of Russia, 2012–2024

In his third presidential term, Russia occupied and annexed Crimea as well as supported a war in eastern Ukraine through several military incursions, resulting in international sanctions, which, together with a drop in oil prices on the international markets, led to the financial crisis in Russia. In February 2022, during his fourth presidential term, Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which prompted international condemnation and led to expanded sanctions.

Portrait of Vladimir Putin: Пресс-служба Президента РФ, CC BY 4.0, file

Culture

Picture

The Moscow International Business Center (MIBC), also known as Moscow-City, is an under-construction commercial development in Moscow, the capital of Russia.

Image: Igor3188, CC BY-SA 4.0, file

Sources

Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.