Vladimir Putin's fifth presidential inauguration in Russia marks the start of another six-year term, making him the Kremlin's longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin. The lavish ceremony at the Grand Kremlin Palace highlights Putin's long-standing rule, compared to historical figures like Catherine the Great. International reactions include a detained US soldier in Russia, UK's plans for weapon production for Ukraine, and criticisms of Putin's overwhelming victory in the election. Western governments condemned the outcome as not free or fair.
Russia's Vladimir Putin will be sworn in for a fifth term as president in a Kremlin ceremony boycotted by the US and most EU nations due to concerns over the legitimacy of the election. France and some other EU states are expected to attend, despite Ukraine's plea to halt the Russian war. Russian forces have taken control of settlements in Ukraine, and a Ukrainian weightlifter was killed defending his country. Additionally, an American soldier was detained in Russia, and a Russian journalist faces charges of justifying terrorism.
Russia started voting in an election to extend President Vladimir Putin's rule, facing criticism from Kyiv, which labeled the vote a 'farce.' Border clashes with Ukraine escalated as Kyiv intensified aerial bombardments of Russian regions near the border. The Kremlin prohibited protests, claiming the vote will demonstrate support for Russia's actions in Ukraine. The election process saw Putin's critics either deceased, imprisoned, or in exile, with limited genuine competitors. Moscow authorities warned against protests, citing legal consequences.
Troops and tanks are gathering in Moscow for Russia's Victory Day celebrations, coinciding with Putin's latest presidential inauguration following a controversial election. The annual event marks the country's role in defeating Nazi Germany in World War II. The display comes as Russia faces reports of losing 1,000 troops daily in the Ukraine invasion. Putin, attending Easter mass, faces criticism for rocket attacks in Ukraine. Victory Day, on May 9, commemorates Nazi Germany's surrender in 1945. This year's event follows Putin's inauguration, marking his continuation of power since 1999.
The Russian presidential election on March 16, 2024, is expected to secure Vladimir Putin's presidency for another six years, marked by increased control following crackdowns on dissent. Voters in Russia are participating in an election that is highly likely to prolong Putin's rule, with the presence of National Guard servicemen ensuring security at polling stations. Additionally, mobile election committees are facilitating voting for individuals unable to physically attend polling stations, exemplified by an elderly woman in Nikolayevka village outside Omsk, Russia.
Russian dissident Alexey Navalny's funeral, delayed by bureaucratic obstacles, proceeded with a heavy police presence and limited protests, indicating the Kremlin's confidence in suppressing opposition. The funeral symbolized the marginalization of political dissent in Russia, where protests are met with arrests. Navalny's charismatic leadership now falls on his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, who currently poses no direct threat to President Putin as he approaches reelection.
Vladimir Putin's handling of a security failure during a catastrophic attack at the Crocus City Hall, where at least 139 people were massacred, may not weaken his hold on power, as history shows his rise to autocratic rule was partly due to exploiting terrorist atrocities to strengthen his grip on authority. Putin's image of toughness and ability to keep Russians safe was cultivated through showcasing his judo skills and presenting himself as the protector of the people, allowing him to dismantle democracy once in office.
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who is the President of Russia. Putin has held continuous positions as president or prime minister since 1999: as prime minister from 1999 to 2000 and from 2008 to 2012, and as president from 2000 to 2008 and since 2012. He is the longest-serving Russian or Soviet leader since Joseph Stalin.Putin worked as a KGB foreign intelligence officer for 16 years, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel before resigning in 1991 to begin a political career in Saint Petersburg. In 1996, he moved to Moscow to join the administration of President Boris Yeltsin. He briefly served as the director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and then as secretary of the Security Council of Russia before being appointed prime minister in August 1999. Following Yeltsin's resignation, Putin became acting president and, in less than four months, was elected to his first term as president. He was subsequently reelected in 2004. Due to constitutional limitations of two consecutive presidential terms, Putin served as prime minister again from 2008 to 2012 under Dmitry Medvedev. He returned to the presidency in 2012, following an election marked by allegations of fraud and protests, and was reelected in 2018. In April 2021, after a referendum, he signed into law constitutional amendments that included one allowing him to run for reelection twice more, potentially extending his presidency to 2036.During Putin's initial presidential tenure, the Russian economy grew on average by seven percent per year, driven by economic reforms and a fivefold increase in the price of oil and gas. Additionally, Putin led Russia in a conflict against Chechen separatists, reestablishing federal control over the region. While serving as prime minister under Medvedev, he oversaw a military conflict with Georgia and enacted military and police reforms. In his third presidential term, Russia annexed Crimea and supported a war in eastern Ukraine through several military incursions, resulting in international sanctions and a financial crisis in Russia. He also ordered a military intervention in Syria to support his ally Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian civil war, ultimately securing permanent naval bases in the Eastern Mediterranean. In his fourth presidential term, he launched a significant invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which prompted international condemnation and led to expanded sanctions. In September 2022, he announced a partial mobilization and forcibly annexed four Ukrainian oblasts into Russia. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes related to his alleged criminal responsibility for illegal child abductions during the war.Under Putin's rule, Russian political system has been transformed into an authoritarian dictatorship. His rule has been marked by endemic corruption and widespread human rights violations, including the imprisonment and suppression of political opponents, intimidation and censorship of independent media in Russia, and a lack of free and fair elections. Putin's Russia has consistently received low scores on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, The Economist Democracy Index, Freedom House's Freedom in the World index, and the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index.
Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Alexei Navalny, warned of Russian President Vladimir Putin's unpredictability and potential use of nuclear weapons in the future. She highlighted Putin's strategy of keeping people in fear and compared the possibility of him using nuclear weapons to his invasion of Ukraine. Navalnaya also discussed Putin's alleged espionage activities in Europe, referencing recent spying scandals and arrests. Despite the risks, she remains determined to overthrow Putin's regime and has called for Western support.
Under Russian President Vladimir Putin's government, not only opposition politicians but also independent voices and those who don't conform to the state's traditional values have been targeted. The once-thriving free press in Russia has diminished, with most outlets either state-controlled or operating from abroad. Journalists and rights groups have been prosecuted or labeled as foreign agents. Independent news sites have been blocked, leading to many moving their operations abroad. Journalists have been arrested and imprisoned on various charges, and further restrictions are expected.
The bribery investigation involving Deputy Russian Defense Minister Timur Ivanov has led to the detention of a third man, Alexander Fomin, suspected of paying bribes. Ivanov and a close associate, Sergei Borodin, are also in custody. Ivanov is accused of receiving kickbacks from Fomin in exchange for helping his company win contracts worth millions. Ivanov faces 15 years in jail if convicted. The scandal has implications for Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, with reports suggesting Ivanov has been fired. This incident is seen as potentially destabilizing for the Russian elite ahead of Putin's government reshuffle next month.
Pro-Russian rebels in Transnistria, a separatist sliver of Moldova, requested President Vladimir Putin's assistance against alleged threats from Moldova's government. Transnistria, which split from Moldova during the Soviet Union's collapse, remains under Russia's influence, while Moldova aims to join the EU. The congress in Transnistria urged Moscow to safeguard them, raising concerns of destabilizing Moldova's pro-Western leadership. However, the meeting concluded with a plea for protection for Russian nationals in Transnistria without pursuing unification with Russia.
The Russian presidential inauguration (Russian: Инаугурация президента Российской Федерации, romanized: Inauguratsiya prezidenta Rossiyskoy Federatsii) is a ceremony to mark the start of a term of the president of Russia. The president's term is six years (formerly four years). In the case of extraordinary election, the inauguration is conducted thirty days after the announcement of the official election results by the Central Election Commission of Russia. Since Vladimir Putin's first inauguration in 2000, the ceremony took place in the Grand Kremlin Palace of the Moscow Kremlin. The inauguration ceremony of the Russian president has traditionally been accompanied by the festive prayer service of the Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus', which dates back to 1498, when the first wedding took place for the reign of Prince Dmitry Ivanovich, the grandson of Ivan III.
Since 1999, Vladimir Putin has continuously served as either President (Acting President from 1999 to 2000; 2000–2004, 2004–2008, 2012–2018 and 2018 to present) or Prime Minister of Russia (three months in 1999, full term 2008–2012).During his presidency, he has been a member of the Unity party and the United Russia party. He is also affiliated with the People's Front, a group of supporters that Putin organized in 2011 to help improve the public's perception of United Russia. His political ideology, priorities and policies are sometimes referred to as Putinism.Putin has enjoyed high domestic approval ratings throughout the majority of his presidency, with the exception of 2011–2013 which is likely due to the 2011–2013 Russian protests. In 2007, he was Time magazine's Person of the Year. In 2015, he was designated No. 1 in Time 100, Time magazine's list of the top 100 most influential people in the world. From 2013 to 2016, he was designated No. 1 on the Forbes list of The World's Most Powerful People. The Russian economy and standard of living grew rapidly during the early period of Putin's regime, fueled largely by a boom in the oil industry. However, lower oil prices and sanctions for Russia's annexation of Crimea led to recession and stagnation in 2015 that has persisted into the present day. Political freedoms have been sharply curtailed, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights groups, as well as Putin being described as a dictator.
Putinism (Russian: путинизм, romanized: putinizm) is the social, political, and economic system of Russia formed during the political leadership of Vladimir Putin. It is characterized by the concentration of political and financial powers in the hands of "siloviks", current and former "people with shoulder marks", coming from a total of 22 governmental enforcement agencies, the majority of them being the Federal Security Service (FSB), Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, Armed Forces of Russia, and National Guard of Russia. According to Arnold Beichman, "Putinism in the 21st century has become as significant a watchword as Stalinism was in the 20th."The "Chekist takeover" of the Russian state and economic assets has been allegedly accomplished by a clique of Putin's close associates and friends who gradually became a leading group of Russian oligarchs and who "seized control over the financial, media and administrative resources of the Russian state", and restricted democratic freedoms and human rights. According to Julie Anderson, Russia has been transformed to an "FSB state". Mass de-politicization has been described as an important element of Putinism's social course. Mass social involvement being discouraged, politics are reduced to "pure management" left to those who are in power, free from interference by the masses. In exchange for non-involvement in politics, Putinism's social contract offers economic development and an important amount of freedom in private life.Putinism was first used in the article by Andrey Piontkovsky published on 11 January 2000 in Sovetskaya Rossiya, and placed on the Yabloko website on the same day. He characterized Putinism as "the highest and final stage of bandit capitalism in Russia, the stage where, as one half-forgotten classic said, the bourgeoisie throws the flag of the democratic freedoms and the human rights overboard; and also as a war, 'consolidation' of the nation on the ground of hatred against some ethnic group, attack on freedom of speech and information brainwashing, isolation from the outside world and further economic degradation".
The U.S. government warned Russian officials about a potential terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow, which was later targeted by gunmen killing more than 140 people. The Islamic State branch ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the deadly attack, contradicting Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempts to blame Ukraine. The attack exposed security weaknesses in Russia's security apparatus, with concerns raised about prioritizing political dissent over combating terrorism. Putin dismissed U.S. warnings as blackmail days before the assault, undermining his image of strength and security.
A FORMER British prisoner of war captured by Russian forces has revealed the brutality of Vladimir Putin's thugs. Ex-Ukrainian marine Aiden Aslin, 30, said that grim torture methods like those used on the Moscow terror suspects are systematic and "standard treatment" for people in Russian captivity. Speaking in response to the barbaric torture of the Moscow terror suspects, the former Russian captive revealed how such grim practices are routine measures for Putin's brutal cronies. Aiden wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Many would assume Russia is merely making an example out of these openly tortured terrorists, but the truth runs far deeper. "This isn't an isolated incident of retribution; it's the standard treatment for anyone held in Russian captivity.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to visit China in May, which could mark his first foreign trip after extending his rule by six more years. Putin's inauguration is scheduled for May 7. Russia's increasing reliance on China due to economic and diplomatic isolation from the war in Ukraine has led to a surge in Chinese technology sales to Russia for military use. Despite maintaining economic ties, China claims neutrality in the Ukraine conflict and has proposed a peace plan that was rejected by Ukraine's allies.
"The Vladimir Putin Interview" is a television interview hosted by the American journalist and political commentator Tucker Carlson with Russian president Vladimir Putin. It premiered on February 8, 2024, on the Tucker Carlson Network and the social media website X (Twitter). It is the first interview with Putin to be granted to a Western journalist since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In the first three days, the interview had 14 million views on YouTube and 185 million views on Twitter.
Ukraine launched an Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) strike on a military base in Luhansk, killing over 100 Russian soldiers. This marks another blow to Putin's forces, with the US supplying Ukraine with ATACMS for precise strikes on enemy targets. The long-range ballistic missiles have a 300km range and can be launched by a M-142 Himars artillery rocket system.
Russia has launched hundreds of criminal cases against individuals who oppose Ukraine war. A Russian court on Thursday sentenced a journalist to two years in prison for denouncing Moscow's full-scale military offensive on Ukraine, as police in Moscow detained five other reporters over a 24-hour period. Russia has made on-the-ground reporting increasingly dangerous and illegal since it sent troops into Ukraine two years ago, arresting and fining those who defy the Kremlin's narratives. A court in the western exclave of Kaliningrad said journalist Mikhail Feldman had discredited Russia's armed forces in a series of posts on the VKontakte social network, the OVD-Info and Memorial rights groups said, citing his lawyer. "This is exactly the punishment the prosecution asked for," OVD-Info said.
Russian officials are accusing Ukraine and the West of involvement in the Crocus City concert hall massacre that left 145 people dead, despite the Islamic State claiming responsibility. The suspects, citizens of Tajikistan, alleged a plan to head towards Kyiv after the attack, but showed signs of torture during court appearances. Russian leadership's attempts to frame Ukraine and the West are seen as a distraction tactic from questions about intelligence sharing. The Kremlin's focus on Ukraine as a perceived enemy may divert attention from real threats, posing risks to the political system.
A Russian missile strike in Odesa killed at least 14 people and injured dozens, including paramedics and rescuers hit in a 'double tap' attack. Russians headed to the polls in elections that are expected to secure President Vladimir Putin's fifth term as power. The city, crucial for Ukraine's grain exports and navy, has faced significant damage from Russian strikes, with a recent missile explosion near Ukrainian President Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis's convoy marking a close call for the leaders.
Russian authorities have added more Kremlin critics, including women's rights activist Darya Serenko and journalist Mikhail Zygar, to their wanted list as part of a crackdown on dissent following Moscow's actions in Ukraine. Serenko and Zygar have left Russia, facing criminal charges without specified details. The Kremlin's intensified crackdown includes criminal charges against hundreds for protests against the war in Ukraine. Serenko co-founded the Feminist Anti-War Resistance group and both she and Zygar were labeled as foreign agents. The controversial law targeting dissenters imposes up to 15 years in prison for spreading false information about the army.
On Orthodox Easter, Russian drone and bomb attacks killed a woman and injured 24 in Kharkiv; Russian forces captured the village of Ocheretyne in Donetsk region; Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in France to discuss the war in Ukraine with President Emmanuel Macron; Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called for unity and prayer for the soldiers; Ukraine's Eurovision winner Jamala expressed the need to participate in the song contest despite calls for a boycott due to Russia's invasion; Xi Jinping aims to work with France and the international community to find a resolution for the conflict in Ukraine.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has expressed support for Ukraine's use of British-supplied weapons to strike targets inside Russia, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Britain has pledged 3 billion pounds annually in military support to Ukraine, including precision-guided bombs and air defense missiles. Russia suffered a record annual loss in 2023 due to sanctions, and Chinese banks have stopped servicing Russian clients to avoid sanctions. NATO has condemned Russian activities in member states, while the US believes the war in Ukraine may continue due to Putin's aggressive tactics.
Russian activist Angel Nikolayev, 39, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to set fire to a military conscription office in protest against Russian action in Ukraine. He was convicted of terrorism for placing flammable substances in the office windows, damaging Russian flags at soldiers' graves, and removing symbols of Russian military action in Ukraine. The Kremlin's crackdown on activists and critics opposing the war in Ukraine has escalated since Russian troops entered Ukraine in February 2022, leading to numerous criminal charges and penalties.
Vladimir Putin's language, characterized by a straightforward style abundant in colloquialisms appealed to Russian citizens and contributed to his popularity in Russia. The most notable feature of it are "Putinisms", quotes from Putin's speech, many of which are catchphrases and aphorisms well known in Russia, but which often baffled interpreters.
Russia defended its veto of a UN resolution calling for the prevention of a nuclear arms race in outer space, challenging the US, Japan, and Western allies to support Moscow's rival resolution for a ban on all weapons in space. The verbal clash at the UN involved accusations of hypocrisy and double standards between Russia and Western nations, with the US citing Russia's possession of anti-satellite weapons and threats to target satellites with nuclear devices. Russia's actions, including threats against British military facilities and drills simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons, were seen as responses to Western comments on involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
US intelligence agencies have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin probably did not order the death of jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny in February, but believe he is ultimately responsible for Navalny's death and brutal conditions in jail. Navalny, Putin's fierce critic, died serving a 19-year sentence after being poisoned with a nerve agent in 2020. US President Joe Biden stated Putin's responsibility without direct ordering accusations. Russian officials deny involvement, attributing Navalny's death to natural causes. Putin won re-election after Navalny's death, with doubts remaining about his direct role in the incident.
The Russo-Ukrainian War is an ongoing international conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began in February 2014. Following Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine and supported pro-Russian separatists fighting the Ukrainian military in the Donbas war. The first eight years of conflict also included naval incidents, cyberwarfare, and heightened political tensions. In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and began occupying more of the country.In early 2014, the Euromaidan protests led to the Revolution of Dignity and the ousting of Ukraine's pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych. Shortly after, pro-Russian unrest erupted in eastern and southern Ukraine, while unmarked Russian troops occupied Crimea. Russia soon annexed Crimea after a highly disputed referendum. In April 2014, Russian-backed militants seized towns in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region and proclaimed the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) as independent states, starting the Donbas war. The separatists received considerable but covert support from Russia, and Ukrainian attempts to fully retake separatist-held areas failed. Although Russia denied involvement, Russian troops took part in the fighting. In February 2015, Russia and Ukraine signed the Minsk II agreements to end the conflict, but they were never fully implemented in the years that followed. The Donbas war settled into a violent but static conflict between Ukraine and the Russian and separatist forces, with many brief ceasefires but no lasting peace and few changes in territorial control.Beginning in 2021, Russia built up a large military presence near its border with Ukraine, including within neighbouring Belarus. Russian officials repeatedly denied plans to attack Ukraine. Russian president Vladimir Putin expressed irredentist views and denied Ukraine's right to exist. He criticized the enlargement of NATO and demanded that Ukraine be barred from ever joining the military alliance. Russia recognized the DPR and LPR as independent states. On 24 February 2022, Putin announced a "special military operation" to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine, claiming Russia had no plans to occupy the country. The Russian invasion that followed was internationally condemned; many countries imposed sanctions against Russia and increased existing sanctions. In the face of fierce resistance, Russia abandoned an attempt to take Kyiv in early April. From August, Ukrainian forces began recapturing territories in the north-east and south. In late September, Russia declared the annexation of four partially-occupied regions, which was internationally condemned. Russia spent the winter conducting inconclusive offensives in the Donbas. In spring 2023, Russia dug into positions ahead of another Ukrainian counteroffensive, which failed to gain significant ground. The war has resulted in a refugee crisis and tens of thousands of deaths.
The number of criminal cases against "foreign agents" in Russia more than doubled last year compared to the preceding two years , the investigative news outlet Vyorstka reported Wednesday. Hundreds of journalists, activists and civil society figures have been branded "foreign agents" in recent years amid the Kremlin's widening crackdown on independent media and the opposition. President Vladimir Putin has defended Russias "foreign agent" law as "more liberal" than similar legislation in the United States. But according to Vyorstkas tally, 86 out of the 406 designated "foreign agents" are currently under criminal investigation, compared with 38 out of 209 in 2022. Among those facing criminal prosecution, 76 are wanted by the police, 10 have been arrested in absentia, while only four so far have received sentences.
This timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine covers the period from 1 December 2023 to the present day.
Sweden 's formal accession to NATO today is a towering smorgasbord of a body blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin 's worldview and designs of global domination. Not only does it transform the Baltic Sea into a NATO lake, but it also isolates the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad situated between Poland and Lithuania, and it creates a strategic chokehold on the Kremlin's key port in St. Petersburg. Heretofore, Russian nuclear submarines were largely free to run amok causing havoc along the coastlines of Sweden and Finland . No longer.
Russia announced plans to hold drills simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons in response to provocative statements from Western officials about the war in Ukraine. This marks the first public announcement of such drills by Russia, with tactical nuclear weapons having a lower yield than strategic ones. The announcement is seen as a warning to Ukraine's Western allies against deeper involvement in the conflict, amidst concerns of NATO-Russia escalation.
A Ukrainian missile strike reportedly hit the Kommuna, the world's oldest active naval vessel located in Sevastopol's Sukharnaya Bay, leading to a fire on board. The 109-year-old warship, previously involved in investigations related to the sinking of the Russian fleet's flagship, suffered damage in the attack. The incident marks a significant blow to Putin's Black Sea Fleet, which has already lost multiple vessels during the conflict with Ukraine.
During a hunting trip in 2013, Vladimir Putin allegedly cut out the heart of a deer, served it to Silvio Berlusconi on a tray, and made the ex-Italian prime minister vomit. Berlusconi's colleague, Fabrizio Cicchitto, shared this incident where Putin exhibited a violent nature. Putin gunned down two deer after Berlusconi declined to shoot, then served the heart to him. Berlusconi considered it a possible hunters' custom. The controversial exchange between Putin and Berlusconi drew attention as the former faced criticism for his ties to Putin amidst Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, who was poisoned with Novichok in 2020 and allegedly tortured in prison, died under suspicious circumstances in 2021, with blame placed on Vladimir Putin's regime. Navalny, known for his charisma, bravery, and anticorruption crusade, united liberals, nationalists, and left-wingers in challenging Russia's ruling elite. He shifted opposition politics beyond Moscow, attracting support with YouTube videos and appealing to a younger generation.
A Russian man in his mid-forties was detained by Russia's FSB for placing homemade explosive devices near court buildings in Tambov, allegedly planned to detonate them on behalf of Ukraine. The FSB claims he was recruited by Ukrainian special services and visited pro-Ukrainian websites. Moscow has reported sabotage attacks on Russian territory, attributing them to Ukraine, while Kyiv denies responsibility.
On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that started in 2014. The invasion became the largest attack on a European country since World War II. It is estimated to have caused tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilian casualties and hundreds of thousands of military casualties. By June 2022, Russian troops occupied about 20% of Ukrainian territory. From a population of 41 million in January 2022, about 8 million Ukrainians had been internally displaced and more than 8.2 million had fled the country by April 2023, creating Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. Extensive environmental damage caused by the war, widely described as an ecocide, contributed to food crises worldwide.Before the invasion, Russian troops massed near Ukraine's borders as Russian officials denied any plans to attack. Russian president Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" to support the Russian-backed breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, whose paramilitary forces had been fighting Ukraine in the Donbas conflict since 2014. Putin espoused irredentist views challenging Ukraine's right to exist, and falsely claimed that Ukraine was governed by neo-Nazis persecuting the Russian minority. He said his goal was to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine. Russian air strikes and a ground invasion were launched at a northern front from Belarus towards Kyiv, a southern front from Crimea, and an eastern front from the Donbas and towards Kharkiv. Ukraine enacted martial law, ordered a general mobilization and severed diplomatic relations with Russia.Russian troops retreated from the northern front by April 2022 after encountering logistical challenges and stiff Ukrainian resistance. On the southern and southeastern fronts, Russia captured Kherson in March and Mariupol in May after a destructive siege. Russia launched a renewed offensive in the Donbas and continued to bomb military and civilian targets far from the front line, including the energy grid through the winter. In late 2022, Ukraine launched successful counteroffensives in the south and east. Soon after, Russia announced the illegal annexation of four partly occupied regions. In November, Ukraine retook parts of Kherson Oblast, including the city of Kherson itself. In June 2023, Ukraine launched another counteroffensive in the southeast.The invasion was met with international condemnation. The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution condemning the invasion and demanding a full Russian withdrawal in March 2022. The International Court of Justice ordered Russia to suspend military operations and the Council of Europe expelled Russia. Many countries imposed sanctions on Russia and its ally Belarus, and provided humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. The Baltic states all declared Russia a terrorist state. Protests occurred around the world, along with mass arrests of anti-war protesters in Russia, which also enacted a law enabling greater media censorship. Over 1,000 companies closed their operations in Russia and Belarus as a result of the invasion. The International Criminal Court (ICC) opened investigations into possible crimes against humanity, war crimes, abduction of children, and genocide. The court issued an arrest warrant for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova in March 2023, alleging responsibility for the unlawful deportation of children.
The family of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has served in office from 2000 to 2008 and 2012 to the present, comes from the Russian peasantry. Spiridon Putin (1879–1965) was a cook in Gorki, his son Vladimir (1911–1999) participated in World War II, grandson Vladimir (born in 1952) made a career in the KGB and the FSB, in 1999 he became the chairman of the Russian government, in 2000–2008 he served as president of the country which he returned to in 2012.In 1983 Putin married Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Shkrebneva, who gave birth to two daughters, Maria (1985) and Katerina (1986). By 2014, this marriage was annulled.
The Moscow Kremlin (Russian: Московский Кремль, romanized: Moskovskiy Kreml', IPA: [mɐˈskofskʲɪj ˈkrʲemlʲ]), also simply known as the Kremlin, is a fortified complex in the center of Moscow. It is the best known of the kremlins (Russian citadels), and includes five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers. In addition, within the complex is the Grand Kremlin Palace that was formerly the residence of the Russian emperor in Moscow. The complex now serves as the official residence of the Russian president and as a museum with almost three million visitors in 2017. The Kremlin overlooks the Moskva River to the south, Saint Basil's Cathedral and Red Square to the east, and Alexander Garden to the west.The name kremlin means "fortress inside a city", and is often also used metonymically to refer to the Russian government. It previously referred to the government of the Soviet Union (1922–1991) and its leaders. The term "Kremlinology" refers to the study of Soviet and Russian politics.The Kremlin is open to the public and offers supervised tours.
Speculations regarding the health of Vladimir Putin have been a regular occurrence since his rise to power. They include conjecture about severe and potentially terminal medical issues. This is largely speculation and cannot be accredited for authenticity.
"Putin's Palace" (Russian: "Дворец Путина", romanized: "Dvorets Putina") is an Italianate palace complex located on the Black Sea coast near Gelendzhik, Krasnodar Krai, Russia.The complex first came to public attention in 2010 after whistleblower Sergei Kolesnikov published an open letter to Russian president Dmitry Medvedev exposing the construction of the palace. Kolesnikov also stated that the undertaking was run by Nikolai Shamalov who was acting on behalf of Vladimir Putin. Alexander Ponomarenko was later reported to have ownership.The complex drew wider public attention in 2021, when Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's Anti Corruption Foundation (FBK) released an investigative documentary film about it which detailed a corruption scheme allegedly headed by Putin and claimed that the palace was built for the president's personal use. The FBK investigation estimated the cost of the build to be over 100 billion rubles (US$956 million) at 2022 prices. Putin denied that the palace belonged to him, with the Kremlin saying that it is a private venture owned by various businessmen whose names cannot be revealed by the state. Following the release of the film, Arkady Rotenberg, who has close ties to Putin, claimed ownership of the palace.
Moldova expelled a Russian diplomat over the opening of polling stations for Russia's presidential election in the breakaway region of Transnistria. This move comes amidst increased tensions between Russia and Moldova due to the Kremlin's decision to open six polling stations against Moldovan authorities' wishes. Moldova has accused Russia of conducting a hybrid war by funding protests, interfering in elections, and spreading disinformation. Transnistria, a pro-Russia breakaway state, declared independence in the 1990s and is not recognized by any UN member country. Russia maintains close ties to the region, with about 1,500 troops as peacekeepers guarding weapons stockpiles.
Russia (Russian: Россия, romanized: Rossiya, [rɐˈsʲijə]), or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world by area, extending across eleven time zones. It shares land boundaries with fourteen countries. It is the world's ninth-most populous country and Europe's most populous country. The country's capital as well as its largest city is Moscow. Saint Petersburg is Russia's second-largest city and cultural capital. Other major urban areas in the country include Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Chelyabinsk, Krasnoyarsk, Kazan, Krasnodar and Rostov-on-Don.The East Slavs emerged as a recognised group in Europe between the 3rd and 8th centuries CE. The first East Slavic state, Kievan Rus', arose in the 9th century, and in 988, it adopted Orthodox Christianity from the Byzantine Empire. Rus' ultimately disintegrated, with the Grand Duchy of Moscow growing to become the Tsardom of Russia. By the early 18th century, Russia had vastly expanded through conquest, annexation, and the efforts of Russian explorers, developing into the Russian Empire, which remains the third-largest empire in history. However, with the Russian Revolution in 1917, Russia's monarchic rule was abolished and eventually replaced by the Russian SFSR—the world's first constitutionally socialist state. Following the Russian Civil War, the Russian SFSR established the Soviet Union with three other Soviet republics, within which it was the largest and principal constituent. At the expense of millions of lives, the Soviet Union underwent rapid industrialisation in the 1930s and later played a decisive role for the Allies in World War II by leading large-scale efforts on the Eastern Front. With the onset of the Cold War, it competed with the United States for global ideological influence. The Soviet era of the 20th century saw some of the most significant Russian technological achievements, including the first human-made satellite and the first human expedition into outer space.In 1991, the Russian SFSR emerged from the dissolution of the Soviet Union as the independent Russian Federation. A new constitution was adopted, which established a federal semi-presidential system. Since the turn of the century, Russia's political system has been dominated by Vladimir Putin, under whom the country has experienced democratic backsliding and a shift towards authoritarianism. Russia has been militarily involved in a number of conflicts in former Soviet states and other countries, including its war with Georgia in 2008 and annexation of Crimea in 2014 from neighbouring Ukraine, followed by the further annexation of four other regions in 2022 during an ongoing invasion.Internationally, Russia ranks among the lowest in measurements of democracy, human rights and freedom of the press; the country also has high levels of perceived corruption. The Russian economy ranks 11th by nominal GDP, relying heavily on its abundant natural resources, and 68th by GDP per capita. Its mineral and energy sources are the world's largest, and its figures for oil production and natural gas production rank highly globally. Russia possesses the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons and has the third-highest military expenditure. The country is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council; a member state of the G20, SCO, BRICS, APEC, OSCE, and WTO; and the leading member state of post-Soviet organisations such as CIS, CSTO, and EAEU/EEU. Russia is home to 30 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Russia vetoed a UN resolution calling on countries to prevent a nuclear arms race in outer space. The resolution aimed to prohibit the development and deployment of nuclear weapons in space, as per a 1967 treaty. Despite support from 13 nations, Russia's opposition and China's abstention led to the resolution's failure. Western concerns have been raised about Russia's intentions, despite Putin's claims of not planning to deploy space-based nuclear weapons. China's rapid advancement in space capabilities, including nuclear-capable hypersonic glide vehicles and anti-satellite weaponry, adds to the global apprehension.
Germany has temporarily recalled its ambassador to Russia after a state-sponsored Russian cyberattack targeted members of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's political party. The attack was carried out by APT28, controlled by Russia's military intelligence. APT28, also known as Fancy Bear, exploited a Microsoft Outlook vulnerability to compromise email accounts. The cyberattack also targeted Czech institutions. Germany, Czechia, NATO, and the EU united in condemning APT28's actions, prompting warnings to Moscow. The US, UK, and EU called on Russia to cease malicious cyber activities. Russia's history of cyber warfare in neighboring countries, including Georgia and Ukraine, is highlighted.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged France to resist a new Cold War, emphasizing mutual benefits and opposing decoupling and disruption of supply chains. Xi's visit to Paris, followed by trips to Serbia and Hungary, aims to strengthen economic ties with Europe amid increasing EU alignment with US concerns over security. Macron and Xi discussed the conflict in Ukraine, with Macron highlighting the need for security in Europe. The EU is toughening trade relations with China, investigating subsidies in strategic sectors. China and France signed bilateral agreements including green development and aviation cooperation.
Russian dissident and opposition leader Alexei Navalny, known for advocating against Russian President Vladimir Putin's party, died at the age of 47 on February 16th in a Siberian penal colony. He had been targeted by Russian intelligence with a nerve agent in August 2020. Navalny's imprisonment on fabricated charges has drawn international attention. His activism was fueled by a passion for freedom, as described by fellow dissident Natan Sharansky.
Russia has designated the LGBT movement as extremists and terrorists, allowing for bank account freezes without court orders. This move aligns with President Vladimir Putin's promotion of so-called family values and restrictions on sexual orientation and gender identity expressions. The LGBTQ+ community in Russia faces arrests and prosecutions, with recent criminal cases and arrests of gay bar managers. The international LGBT movement, deemed illegal, lacks legal standing but can now be prosecuted under extremist laws, tightening LGBTQ+ rights restrictions in Russia.
The Grand Kremlin Palace (Russian: Большой Кремлёвский дворец, romanized: Bolshoy Kremlyovskiy dvorets) is a building in the Moscow Kremlin. For much of the 19th century, it served as the official residence of the Russian emperor in Moscow. Designed by a team of architects under the management of Konstantin Thon (the architect of the Kremlin Armoury and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour), the palace was intended to emphasise the greatness of Russian autocracy. As of 2024, the Grand Kremlin Palace serves as the official working residence of the president of Russia; it also houses a museum.
The United States has accused Russia of breaching the global ban on chemical weapons by using chloropicrin and tear gas against Ukrainian soldiers, leading to casualties and sanctions. Russia has denied involvement and faces pressure for transparency over its alleged use of toxic chemicals, including grenades loaded with CS and CN gasses. The US has imposed sanctions on Russian entities linked to chemical and biological weapons programs, targeting nearly 300 entities supporting President Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The accusations and sanctions come amidst ongoing conflict and international efforts to support Ukraine's resistance.
Lilia Chanysheva, a former associate of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, had her prison sentence extended to a total of 9 1/2 years in Russia's Bashkortostan region. She was convicted on extremism charges in a crackdown on dissent intensified after Russia's involvement in Ukraine. Navalny's foundation was designated extremist, leading to Chanysheva's arrest. Navalny, a prominent opposition figure, died in prison under controversial circumstances. The Kremlin's actions have drawn criticism for stifling opposition voices. Chanysheva's allies allege her case is politically motivated.
Russian journalist Nadezhda Kevorkova was detained in Estonia for justifying terrorism through posts on the Telegram app, facing up to five years in prison if convicted. Charges involve posts on the 2005 Nalchik attack and the Taliban, with connections to social media. This comes amidst a crackdown on journalists and critics of Russia's war in Ukraine. Other cases include arrests of Russian journalists for extremism and espionage charges, with dissenting journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza receiving a Pulitzer Prize. Kevorkova's work spans both independent and state-funded media.
Germany has recalled its ambassador to Russia, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, in protest against cyberattacks on the country's government and defense sectors, attributed to a group linked to Russia's military intelligence agency, GRU. The recall came just before Russian President Vladimir Putin's inauguration for his next six-year term, with Germany not sending a representative. The cyberattacks, dating back to 2022, targeted the Social Democratic Party, defense, aerospace, and IT companies, with Germany demanding consequences for these state-sponsored actions.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the REPO Act, which would allow President Joe Biden to confiscate over $6 billion of frozen Russian assets in U S banks and transfer them to a special fund for Ukraine. Most of the $300 billion in frozen Russian assets are located in Germany, France, and Belgium. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson released a foreign aid package including aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Following Putin's invasion of Ukraine, the G7 countries froze all $300 billion of Russian foreign currency reserves held in banks across Europe.
Conspiracy theory about Russian President Vladimir Putin's body doubles is based on the alleged instability in the politician's appearance. Supporters of the conspiracy theory believe that the "body doubles" have had surgery to resemble the "original" and point to facial features such as the chin, earlobes and wrinkles on Putin's forehead as evidence, and claim that the body doubles were used because of Putin's allegedly declining health or that they were sent to areas deemed too dangerous for the Russian President.The theory of Vladimir Putin's body doubles acts as a tool used by Putin's opponents. Amid rumors of the Putin's deteriorating health, Ukraine has repeatedly claimed that Putin uses body doubles. Russia has denied these unproven allegations.The conspiracy theory was supported by British tabloids, Ukrainian media and officials. However, no credible evidence of Vladimir Putin having body doubles has emerged in all the years of his leadership.
Ukrainian drones targeted energy infrastructure sites in Russia's western Smolensk and Lipetsk regions, causing fires without any reported injuries. The attacks hit valuable oil depots and industrial zones, impacting fuel plants and energy facilities. The Russian government claimed to have downed most of the drones, but footage and reports suggest multiple successful attacks. These strikes aim to disrupt Russia's critical energy and military infrastructure near the Ukrainian border, hindering Putin's forces. The Ukraine-Russia conflict escalates with ongoing drone assaults on key Russian sites.
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (Russian: Вооружённые Си́лы Росси́йской Федера́ции, Vooružjonnyje Síly Rossíjskoj Federácii), commonly referred to as the Russian Armed Forces, are the military of Russia. In terms of active-duty personnel, they are the world's fifth-largest military force, with 1.15 million and at least two million reserve personnel. According to the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), "Russia plans to expand its active personnel force to 1.5 million by 2026, which will make it the third largest in the world, after China and India." The country has three primary branches of service: the Ground Forces, the Navy, and the Aerospace Forces, as well as two independent arms of service: the Strategic Rocket Forces and Airborne Forces. In addition, the Special Operations Forces Command was established in 2013, with an estimated strength in 2022 of 1,000, possibly with additional supporting staff.In 2023, Russia had the world's third-highest military expenditure, allocating a budget of approximately US$86.4 billion to the military. The Russian Armed Forces maintain the world's largest stockpile of nuclear weapons, and possess the world's second-largest fleet of ballistic missile submarines; they are also one of only three national militaries (alongside those of the United States and China) that operate strategic bombers. With certain exceptions, Russian law mandates one year of military service for all male citizens aged 18–27.In spite of Russia's perceived military strength, as recorded in various assessments, deficiencies have been noted in the country's combat performance on both the tactical and operational scales. According to multiple reports, endemic corruption within the Russian Armed Forces has had a major impact on Russia's ability to effectively project hard power. Amidst the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, severe logistical failures have greatly impacted the operational performance of Russian troops, as different service branches have struggled to coordinate and work together. Continuous shortcomings have led Russia's war effort to suffer extensive setbacks since the initial invasion; the Russian Armed Forces have experienced successive losses of occupied/annexed territory, the large-scale destruction and squandering of their equipment, and a notably high casualty rate. Researchers from the US-funded RAND Corporation have observed that Russia continues to struggle with military professionalization.Directly controlled by the Security Council of Russia, the Russian Armed Forces form part of the country's defence services under Russian law, fulfilling this capacity alongside the Border Guard of the Federal Security Service, the National Guard, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Federal Protective Service, the Foreign Intelligence Service, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
This is a list of known military aid, that has been and will be provided to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War, particularly during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This list includes delivered equipment, training, intelligence, treatment of soldiers, logistical support as well as financial support to the Ukrainian government unless earmarked for humanitarian purposes. Weapons donated as a result of cooperation between multiple countries are listed separately in each country category.In total aid (military, financial and humanitarian combined), the European Union and its countries have provided the most to Ukraine, according to Kiel Institute, whereas the United States has by far provided the most in military aid. Since January 2022, mostly Western nations have pledged more than $380 billion in aid to Ukraine, including nearly $118 billion in direct military aid to Ukraine from individual countries.Some NATO countries and allies, such as Germany and Sweden, have reversed past policies against providing offensive military aid in order to support Ukraine, while the European Union for the first time in its history supplied lethal arms through its institutions.The Russian government has condemned the supply of military aid to Ukraine. Russia's president Vladimir Putin said that if military aid stopped, Ukraine would not survive for long. The Center for Strategic and International Studies assessed in December 2023 that if the United States stopped sending military aid, European countries could not quickly fill the gap. If this happened, it forecast that Ukraine's defensive capabilities would gradually weaken and Ukraine's frontline would collapse.
Six people were killed and 35 others injured in a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia's Belgorod region. The drones targeted vehicles carrying company employees and a passenger car, with two children sustaining minor injuries and one man in serious condition undergoing surgery. The Russian Investigative Committee will investigate the attack. Belgorod has been a repeated target of Ukrainian attacks since the invasion of Ukraine over two years ago.
CIA Director William Burns stated that without additional US military assistance, Ukraine could face significant setbacks and potentially lose the war with Russia by the end of 2024. Burns emphasized the urgent need for Congress to approve billions in aid to prevent a scenario where Putin could dictate terms of a settlement. Ukrainian forces are running out of ammunition, with Burns highlighting the critical need for supplemental aid to prevent further losses like the fall of Avdiivka. The House is expected to vote on a $60.8 billion aid package for Ukraine to bolster their capabilities and defy Putin's ambitions.
The Kremlin pool (Russian: Кремлевский пул), also President's pool is a group of Russian journalists accredited to regularly cover the activities of the President of Russia and the top Russian government.Yelena Tregubova in her book The tales of a Kremlin digger spoke about the behind-the-scenes activities of the Kremlin pool of Boris Yeltsin and the early years of Vladimir Putin, attracting an angry reaction from the Kremlin.
The Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden is at the center of controversy as Israel's participation amidst protests and calls for boycott due to the war on Gaza. More than 30 entries, including 'Falastinvision' as an alternative, are vying for votes online. Artists, like Ukraine's Jamala, resist calls for boycott, highlighting the need to remind Europe of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Security concerns prompt Swedish police, along with Danish and Norwegian officers, to be on alert. Participants, like Olly Alexander and Bambie Thug, face backlash over their decision to compete despite concerns over Israel's inclusion and ongoing conflicts.
Putin's Kiss (Russian: Поцелуй Путина, romanized: Potseluy Putina) is a 2012 documentary, directed by Lise Birk Pedersen, about Russian youth activist Masha Drokova (Maria Alexandrovna Drokova, married name: Masha Bucher) and her experiences with the youth organisation Nashi.
Two-time European weightlifting champion Oleksandr Pielieshenko, who previously served a doping suspension, died while defending Ukraine in the war with Russia at the age of 30. Pielieshenko finished fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics and was the first Olympian confirmed to have died in the conflict. His death raises questions about Russia's participation in the upcoming Paris Olympics as neutral athletes despite opposition from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian weightlifting community mourns his loss, emphasizing that heroes do not die.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urged Congress to provide more military funding to prevent Ukraine from losing the war against Russia, stating that without US aid, Ukraine would be at risk of invasion, with ongoing attacks from Russia already causing casualties in Kharkiv. House Republicans have delayed a $60 billion aid bill, linking it to increased border security funding. Experts caution that without American assistance, the Kremlin's chances of victory increase, and NATO aims to assume control over aid decisions to mitigate potential impacts of a second Trump presidency on the conflict.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron promised $3.74 billion of military aid annually to Ukraine for 'as long as it takes,' allowing weapons supplied by the UK to be used inside Russia. The UK's largest aid package yet includes precision-guided bombs and air defense missiles. This commitment aims to support Ukraine in defending itself against Russia's invasion. Cameron also confirmed additional funding for Ukraine's energy infrastructure and called for international contributions to meet urgent requirements. The UK stands with Ukraine in the ongoing conflict, but rules out sending British troops.
President Xi Jinping arrived in Paris for a diplomatic visit to strengthen China's relations with key European partners, particularly France, Serbia, and Hungary. Xi and French President Emmanuel Macron will discuss bilateral ties, China-EU relations, and global issues. France seeks to address trade imbalances and urge Xi to influence Russia's actions in Ukraine. The EU aims for fair competition with China, while China faces EU probes and trade disputes. Xi's visit underscores the importance of collaboration amidst global challenges like climate change and multilateralism.
Two-time European weightlifting champion Oleksandr Pielieshenko, aged 30, died on the front line in the war in Ukraine, after joining the armed forces at the start of Russia's invasion. Pielieshenko had won the European under-85 kilogram division in 2016 and 2017, missing out on an Olympic medal in 2016, and committing a second doping violation in 2018. He is one of over 400 Ukrainian athletes and officials killed in the war.
Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters gathered near the Met Gala in New York, raising Palestinian flags and chanting against Israel's actions in Gaza. Tensions rose as arrests were made, leading to criticism of the police's approach. Columbia University also cancelled its main graduation ceremony due to ongoing pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Despite attempts to disrupt the gala, the protesters were blocked by police from reaching the event. Additionally, union workers from Conde Nast reached a tentative agreement, preventing a planned disruption at the gala.
Ukraine ( yoo-KRAYN; Ukrainian: Україна, romanized: Ukraina, pronounced [ʊkrɐˈjinɐ] ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast. It also borders Belarus to the north; Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; and Romania and Moldova to the southwest; with a coastline along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the south and southeast. Kyiv is the nation's capital and largest city, followed by Kharkiv, Dnipro and Odesa. Ukraine's official language is Ukrainian; Russian is also widely spoken, especially in the east and south.During the Middle Ages, Ukraine was the site of early Slavic expansion and the area later became a key centre of East Slavic culture under the state of Kievan Rus', which emerged in the 9th century. The state eventually disintegrated into rival regional powers and was ultimately destroyed by the Mongol invasions of the 13th century. The area was then contested, divided, and ruled by a variety of external powers for the next 600 years, including the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Austrian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Tsardom of Russia. The Cossack Hetmanate emerged in central Ukraine in the 17th century marked on maps as "Ukraine, land of the Cossacks", but was partitioned between Russia and Poland, and ultimately absorbed by the Russian Empire. Ukrainian nationalism developed and, following the Russian Revolution in 1917, the short-lived Ukrainian People's Republic was formed. The Bolsheviks consolidated control over much of the former empire and established the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, which became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union when it was formed in 1922. In the early 1930s, millions of Ukrainians died in the Holodomor, a human-made famine. The German occupation during World War II in Ukraine was devastating: 7 million Ukrainian civilians were killed, including most Ukrainian Jews.Ukraine gained independence in 1991 as the Soviet Union dissolved, and declared itself neutral. A new constitution was adopted in 1996. A series of mass demonstrations, known as the Euromaidan, led to the establishment of a new government in 2014 after a revolution. Russia then unilaterally annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, and pro-Russian unrest culminated in a war in the Donbas between Russian-backed separatists and government forces in eastern Ukraine. Since the outbreak of war with Russia, Ukraine has continued to seek closer ties with the United States, European Union, and NATO. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.Ukraine is a unitary state and its system of government is a semi-presidential republic. A developing country, it is the poorest country in Europe by nominal GDP per capita and corruption remains a significant issue. However, due to its extensive fertile land, pre-war Ukraine was one of the largest grain exporters in the world. It is a founding member of the United Nations, as well as a member of the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization, and the OSCE. It is in the process of joining the European Union and has applied to join NATO.
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