An acquaintance living in the United States asked me if it was true that Russia is about to “cut off its Internet” from the rest of the world.
Russia articles on Democracy Chronicles
News about the struggle for democracy in Russia. Russia is not a functioning democracy. According to Freedom House, "limited political competition, assassination, and repression are used by dictator Vladimir Putin to maintain control". Also see our articles on Putin or on two of his public opponents Alexei Navalny and the punk band Pussy Riot.
Kremlin Critics and Allies Agree: Isolated Russian Web a Fantasy
A week after Russia’s lower house of parliament approved a preliminary measure aimed at safeguarding internet operations in case of a foreign cyber attack.
Mockery of Justice at Chechen Rights Defender Oyub Titiev’s Russian Trial
Oyub Titiev, a Chechen human rights activist, has been behind bars for more than 13 months on bogus drug charges and his trial is now drawing to a close.
Russian Journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva Faces Unjustified Criminal Charges
Russian authorities opened a criminal investigation against a journalist for criticizing the authorities in her comments about a recent suicide bombing.
Ukraine MPs Bar Russians From Observing Elections
Ukraine’s Supreme Rada voted to exclude Russian citizens from serving as election monitors during an upcoming presidential election.
Lithuania Fears Russia Will Attempt to Sway Its Elections
Lithuania fear Russia will interfere in its forthcoming elections, including one in May to find a successor to the staunchly anti-Kremlin president.
Mystery of Russia and Venezuela Gold Swap Deepens
Venezuelan authorities detained three foreign journalists and a driver working for the Spanish news agency EFE on Wednesday, the company said.
New Russian Law Used to Target Open Russia Activists
Russian authorities opened their first criminal case against a Russian activist for alleged involvement with a so-called “undesirable” foreign organization.
It Been the Bleakest Year in Decades for Russian Human Rights
Russian government relentlessly reduced space for peaceful dissent, political opposition, and civic activism in Russia during 2018, Human Rights Watch said.
Facebook Shuts Hundreds of Russia-Linked Pages and Accounts
Facebook shuts hundreds of Russia-linked pages, and accounts that it says were part of two big disinformation operations, in its effort to fight fake news.