RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS
Analysts
Alexei Panin
Co-Managing Director, Urus Advisory
Alex Teddy
Co-Managing Director, Urus AdvisoryRecent Country Insights
Ukraine accuses North Korea of sending troops to Ukraine—North Korean-Russian relations in focus
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · Report · 18 Oct 2024
Over the past few weeks, Ukraine and its Western allies have alleged on numerous occasions at all levels that North Korea is sending combat troops to fight in Ukraine. While these claims have not been substantiated, Russian and North Korean relations have been deepening ever since the start of th...
CIS heads of state meeting in Moscow on Putin’s birthday
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 11 Oct 2024
On October 7, the leaders of the CIS countries gathered in Novo-Ogaryovo, the suburban residence of the Russian President in Moscow Oblast to meet and celebrate Vladimir Putin’s 72nd birthday. The CIS, or Commonwealth of Independent States is a regional intergovernmental organization led by Russi...
Essential CIS Politics: October 2024
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · Report · 01 Oct 2024
* Putin announces change in Russian nuclear doctrine. * Russia’s relationship with Iran gets complicated. * Russian troops entered Vuhledar as Ukraine seeks aid in the US. * Armenia claims it thwarted a coup attempt. * Azerbaijan holds elections—including in Nagorno-K...
South Caucasus in flux
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · Report · 30 Sep 2024
Across the Caucasus, the center of gravity has been reshaped by events in the last few decades. Soviet-era political and economic ties have been substituted by multipolar, international ones. But, suddenly, in recent months, countries in the region are being drawn quickly in different directions ...
Central Asia changing
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · Report · 20 Sep 2024
The five former Soviet republics in Central Asia are changing. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are easily remembered by the mnemonic "KKTTU". Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are rich in oil and gas. Kazakhstan also has metals and other precious chemicals...
Armenia claims it thwarted coup involving Russia as relations sour even more
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 20 Sep 2024
On September 18, Armenian news reported that Armenia foiled a coup attempt. It was alleged as hatched by a faction recruiting and educating in Russia. Three people were arrested in connection with the plot. An investigation has been launched into seven suspects, five Armenian nationals and two fr...
US accuses China of supplying Russia directly with military goods for the first time
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 16 Sep 2024
Various events surrounding the relationship between Russia and China have unfolded recently that demonstrate the important role of China in the Ukraine war—and the role both countries have in supporting each other’s strategic objectives. On September 11, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell...
Ukraine engages in government reshuffle amidst Russian advance in Donbass
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 08 Sep 2024
On September 4, Zelensky reshuffled his cabinet. Many ministers resigned pre-emptively. The move came amidst rumors that a reshuffle was imminent, so members of the government were prepared. That day, the head of the ruling Servant of the People Party, David Arakhamia, wrote on Telegram that over...
Azerbaijan holds parliamentary elections, including for the first time in Nagorno-Karabakh
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 03 Sep 2024
On September 1, Azerbaijan held parliamentary elections. They were originally supposed to be held in November but were brought forward due to Azerbaijan’s high-profile hosting of COP-29. This was the first Azerbaijani election to include the reclaimed territories in Nagorno-Karabakh. 42,000 Azerb...