LIVE UPDATES: US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed possible cooperation on Syria in a telephone call. Mothers of children killed by terrorists and journalists detained at memorial ceremony in Beslan.
Welcome to our column, Russia Update, where we will be closely following day-to-day developments in Russia, including the Russian government’s foreign and domestic policies.
The previous issue is here.
Recent Analysis and Translations:
– What Has Ramzan Kadyrov Been Up To? Quietly Cultivating Regional and Kremlin Officials, Now He Meets with Putin
– RBC Publishes Report Sourced in FSB and Military on Wagner Private Military Contractor with 2,500 Fighters in Syria
– Russian Parliamentary Elections Round-Up: Open Russia’s Baronova Registered; Shevchenko Disqualified
– The Kremlin is Working Hard to Make Donald Trump President
UPDATES BELOW
The ruble is trading at 65.69 to the dollar and 73.39 to the ruble. Brent crude is selling for $45.99 per barrel.
The following headlines were taken from RBC, Gazeta, Caucasian Knot, Kasparov, Novaya Gazeta.
– Journalists From Novaya Gazeta, Takiye Dela Detained, Released at Ceremony in Beslan
– 14 Journalists from Znak Leave Union of Journalists
– Investigative Committee Spokesman Markin Implies Order for Murder of Politkovskaya Came from Berezovsky; Family Notes Original Investigation Rejected This Claim
– Volgograd Regional Officials Find Campaign Materials of Parnas Candidate Illegal
What We’re Reading
– Beslan’s Dreams by Yelena Kostyuchenko [Russian]
– Such a Thing Has Never Happened: Discussion of National Review Article by David Satter, ‘The Unsolved Mystery Behind the Act of Terror That Brought Putin to Power, by Aleksandr Nemets [English and Russian]
– The Coal Mines of Rostov Region: Disasters and Protests by Caucasian Knot [Russian]
– ‘The Armed Forces of Russia Are Really Preparing for War’ by Mikhail Khodarenok [Russian] [Russian]
– The Battle for Bashneft by Tatyana Stanovaya [English]
— Catherine A. Fitzpatrick