President Dmitry Medvedev has appointed Vladislav Surkov, the little-seen Kremlin official credited with designing Russia's tightly-controlled political system, as deputy prime minister in charge of a modernisation drive.
It's 20 years to the day since the Soviet Union was officially dissolved. But to mark the anniversary there were neither commemorations nor speeches. The mood in Russia is one of defiance. Never since Vladimir Putin came to power 12 years ago, has he faced such strong opposition. On Saturday the protest movement gathered tens of thousands of people in Moscow. Is this the beginning of a new era, in which Vladimir Putin no longer reigns supreme?
It's 20 years to the day since the Soviet Union was officially dissolved. But to mark the anniversary there were neither commemorations nor speeches. The mood in Russia is one of defiance. Never since Vladimir Putin came to power 12 years ago, has he faced such strong opposition. On Saturday the protest movement gathered tens of thousands of people in Moscow. Is this the beginning of a new era, in which Vladimir Putin no longer reigns supreme?
Tens of thousands of Russians took part in demonstrations Saturday to protest against suspected fraud in the Dec. 4 legislative polls. Participants braved freezing temperatures in the largest public show of discontent since the 1991 Soviet collapse.
There are set to be more protests in Russia against early December's parliamentary elections, which many Russians say were fraudulent. Vladimir Putin's United Russia Party may have come out on top but part of Russia's educated, internet-savvy youth are planning to rise up in protest. Our correspondents Ksenia Bolchakova and Xavier Luiset report from the heart of a movement which is gathering speed.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev suggested on Thursday that changes could be made to liberalise the country's political system. His comments follow allegations of fraud and a series of popular protests over December 4 legislative elections.
Russia's first general election since the advent of the smartphone offers up a surprise setback for Vladimir Putin. Are nascent protests the sign of a burgeoning democracy, or indeed the beginning of the end for the team that has now ruled for over a decade?
Russia’s first general election since the advent of the smartphone offers up a surprise setback for Vladimir Putin. Are nascent protests the sign of a burgeoning democracy, or indeed the beginning of the end for the team that has now ruled for over a decade?
Moscow remained on high alert Wednesday after opposition supporters vowed to stage fresh rallies in protest against what they say were fraudulent parliamentary polls, won by Vladimir Putin's ruling party.
At least 250 activists, including opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, were arrested Tuesday at a rally alleging fraud in favour of the ruling party in weekend elections. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called the vote "neither free nor fair".
