Russia

Russia and Georgia: Agreement to Reopen Border Crossing Marks Political Thaw

Date: December 30th, 2009 |

These two countries that fought a brief war in August 2008 have agreed to reopen a border crossing that has been closed for three years. The Verkhny Lars crossing is on the only highway between the two countries that does not go through the breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, where most of the [read more]

Russia: Work Permit Red Tape Becomes Redder, Government Admits Many Police Are Corrupt

Date: November 19th, 2009 |

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The red tape for working in Russia just got a little more tangled now that immigration officials are requiring foreigners seeking work permits to present “diplomas” showing their credentials along with an “apostille,” a stamp from the foreigner’s Foreign Ministry certifying the diploma’s authenticity. The law demanding an apostille has been on the books since [read more]

Russia and Eastern Europe: Economic Crisis Raises Fear of Unrest

Date: April 1st, 2009 |

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The global economic crisis has created fear of civil unrest in Russia and several Eastern European countries as millions have lost their jobs and are turning their anger against their governments. Russia has many towns throughout the country dependent on single industries, a carryover from the Soviet era, and when those industries fail the economies [read more]

Russia: Racial Attacks Increase in Moscow

Date: February 20th, 2008 |

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Hate crimes against foreigners are increasing in Moscow, where four dark-skinned people were murdered in five days recently, prompting Moscow police to increase their street patrols throughout the city and the mayor to appeal for calm. Hate crime killings like these have increased steadily over the years, with ultranationalist “skinheads” often attacking in packs of [read more]

Russia: Liquids To Be Banned on Flights

Date: August 22nd, 2007 |

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Beginning Aug. 27, Russia will restrict liquids carried aboard airplanes following standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization that are in place throughout the U.S., E.U. and elsewhere. Passengers may carry liquids in containers no larger than 100 milliliters (3.4 ounces) with the exception of baby food and medicine, but up to 10 containers [read more]

Russia: Two Train Bombings Raise Worries Over New Terrorist Campaign

Date: December 3rd, 2009 |

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Two train bombings occurred within days recently, raising fears that a new wave of violence against the state may be underway similar to the campaign carried out by Chechen rebels in Moscow five years ago. The first bombing derailed a high-speed train on the main line between Moscow and St. Petersburg overnight Nov. 27-28, killing [read more]

Russia: Threat to Moscow Markets

Date: June 3rd, 2009 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Moscow reported that it has information about a potential threat targeting market areas in Moscow frequented by Central Asian and Caucasian immigrants. The threat purportedly came from a Russian nationalist group and specifically mentioned Cherkizovskiy Market, adjacent to Izamailovsky Park, as a potential target. Russian law enforcement authorities are assessing the [read more]

Russia: U.S. Student Stabbed in Possible Rascist Attack

Date: December 18th, 2008 |

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An 18-year-old African-American exchange student was stabbed in an unprovoked attack in Volgograd, about 550 miles south of Moscow recently, an incident he and his family believe was a racist hate crime. Police, however, are not sure whether it was a random robbery attempt. For years, Russia has been plagued by gangs of skinheads attacking [read more]

Russia: Tourist Caught in Legal Bind for Buying Souvenirs

Date: August 29th, 2007 |

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The story of a Chilean citizen who is a doctoral student at the University of Missouri became a cautionary tale for travelers when she bought cheap souvenirs from a street vendor in the town of Voronezh, 365 miles south of Moscow. The Red Army medals and old rubles she purchased, appraised by officials at just [read more]

Russia: Bombing Derails Express Train between Moscow and St. Petersburg

Date: August 15th, 2007 |

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An explosion on the high-speed rail line that links Moscow and St. Petersburg Aug. 13 derailed the express train and injured 60 people. The bombing, which took place about 300 miles north of Moscow near Novgorod, had the earmarks of Chechen rebels but no one claimed responsibility. Officials are treating it as a terrorist attack [read more]

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