Country Partnership . Investigation of How the Russian Leadership Acquired Unofficial Residences

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Country Partnership . Investigation of How the Russian Leadership Acquired Unofficial Residences https://www.proekt.media/investigation/dacha-putina-gorki10/ Cycle " Country of friends " Country partnership . Investigation of how the Russian leadership acquired unofficial residences Maria Zholobova , with the participation of Daniel Sotnikova , May 22, 2019 Where does the How to hide the How to protect Map of all political elite live owners of the the residence residences of on Rublevka residence Putin The “Project” found a mysterious cottage worth more than two billion rubles on the Rublevo-Uspenskoye Highway. Everything indicates the presence of top oficials: federal security and special communications with another state residence, on the territory of which the ice arena is located. And belongs cottage offshore from the British Virgin Islands, associated with old friends of Vladimir Putin. Village of the 90s “This section of Rublevka is not quoted on the market, ” Kommersant wrote 18 years ago about Gorki-10, a village on the outskirts of Rublevo-Uspenskoye Highway. And now there are almost no offers for the sale of plots, and there is no place to take them from. Gorki- 10 is a village of old Soviet state dachas, which since the 90s have been chosen by the Russian political establishment. For example, Vladimir Kozhin , the former manager of the president’s business, lives there - he has almost eight hectares on the bank of the Moskva River, which until then had been federal property. They cost him less than the market - Novaya Gazeta, citing data from the Rosreestr, wrote that Kozhin paid just over 1 million rubles for the site . Kozhin made this deal when the head of administration of the Odintsovo region, to which Gorki-10 belongs, was the current deputy head of the FSO, General Nikolai Kondratyuk. Earlier, Novaya Gazeta found plots in another district of the fsoshnik family, Gorki-2. But, as the “Project” found out , Nikolay and Alla K ondratyuki had owned 3.6 thousand In 199 9, the son of Oleg Soskovets to square meters since 2002 . m of land and here, in death killed three Gorki-10 . workers from Tajikistan at the 24th kilometer of the Boris Yeltsin’s former dacha is also located in Gorki-10, Rublyovo-Uspenskoye Highway. As not a state, but a private one; now his widow Naina Kommersant wrote , Yeltsin lives there . In the 2000s, they wrote: Boris two workers “were Yeltsin lost important documents on an area of 4 thrown about ten hectares, which the administration of the Odintsovo meters from the road, district assigned to him. Exactly so much occupies the third hung on the land in Gorki-10. protective grille, and a Mercedes was dragging it another And yet the largest landlord in the district, with plots 50 meters”. The driver of almost 25 hectares, is not an oficial, but a hid and tried to hide businessman, billionaire Alisher Usmanov . It was the traces of the crime about this huge estate that Aleksey Navalny told in an - when the car was investigation about the alleged assets of Prime found, all ingerprints Minister Dmitry Medvedev. and blood were erased. Soskovets Jr. was detained at his Finally, another resident of Gorky-10 is former Deputy house in Gorki-10, but Prime Minister Oleg Soskovets , who was dismissed soon released, it is not by Yeltsin after the incident with the “xerox box”. The known what the head of the security service of Yeltsin, Alexander investigation of the Korzhakov, who was sent out at the same time, was criminal case ended. also a resident of Gorky-10, but later sold this section. Then, in 1996, together with Soskovets and Korzhakov, the president dismissed the head of the FSB, Mikhail Barsukov. He owns sites in another village of Rublevka, Gorki-2, and in Gorki-10, the “ward” Barsukov, a former drilling engineer from Nefteyugansk, Ivan Koptenko, who later became a deputy of the Supreme Council, tried to settle down. "With the iling of Barsukov, Koptenko leased the Gorka 10-10 gosdacha and fenced it with a tall fence," Korzhakov wrote in his memoirs. Then the dacha was at the disposal of the son of the State Duma’s Deputy Speaker Artur Chi lingarov (a typical dach a of a politburo member: a hall, a bedroom, a good bath — Chilingarov Sr. described it). The interiors of this In the 2000s, the residence “Gorki 10-10” was returned residence 10-10 were published on the to the state. But its current destination is unknown. It Internet by a is not mentioned as the place in which oficial events company from are held with the participation of the president or the Tatarstan prime minister. However, according to Rosreestr, "Tatinvestgrazhdanpr since 2008 the territory has been in use by the FSO. oekt", which made the design project. The site says that the interior is designed for "family living and recreation, as well as oficial receptions and meetings," made "in a classic style, used in the decoration of natural stone and precious wood handmade materials." The general director of the company, Irek Faizullin, was appointed Minister of Construction and Slides 10-10. Source: Yandex maps. Architecture of Tatarstan after the reconstruction was completed. "Gorki-10" also indicated on its website the company "MD Technology", which installs home theaters. The details of the CEO of the company Pavel Dolgopolsky “Project” could not be found - he referred to the “non-disclosure subscription”. The “Project” took pictures of the residence - there are three mansions, a helipad and an ice arena on the territory. Korzhakov mentioned this arena in his memoirs: according to his information, it is intended for the Night Hockey League created by Putin. The arena is also at the disposal of the FSO . However, this property is not the only object in the village of Gorki-10, which protects the FSO. In the same place there is one more magniicent house which FSO, probably, protects where more carefully. In 2015, the Specia l Communication Servi ce of the FSO announced an auction : it was necessary to build a system of dedicated special communication from the residence with the ice arena "Gorki 10-10" to some summer cottage number 5 located in the same village . The arrangement of the dedicated communication line was for some reason supposed to be on the site belonging to an offshore from the British Virgin Islands. The source of funding was the federal budget, funds were allocated within the framework of the State Defense Order. Special persons Cottage number 5 in Gorki-10 stands on the very edge of the village. On the one hand, there is a stud farm, the road from which to the dacha is guarded not only by a double fence, but also by a huge dung ield, which was dificult for the “Project” correspondents to cross. On the other hand - the Moscow River. The cottage itself is hidden behind a high, by the eye, not less than ive meters, fence. Along the perimeter of the fence - numerous video cameras. True, they did not prevent the locals from painting grafiti in several places. One of them says: “Putin, kiss my ***”. Surroundings cottages It is practically impossible to photograph the territory of the dacha with the help of a radio-controlled drone from the air - apparently, the so-called “jammers” are working - this is how some public and private facilities at Rublevka are now equipped. The irst attempt to launch the drone ended unsuccessfully, but from the second “Project” I photographed a mysterious object. The huge plot - almost six hectares - is securely hidden behind tall pines, only the main house (there are three houses in total) and the helipad, as well as landscape elements are visible: several small artiicial ponds, planted spruces, paths, an artiicial cave similar to an underground garage . The veranda of the house is decorated with mosaics, a small bridge leads from the second floor deep into the forest. The area of a large house - 2.2 thousand square meters. m, smaller houses - 1.2 thousand square meters. m (the third house is not registered in Rosreestre, and its area can not be learned). Until the beginning of the 2000s, this area was owned by the state - it was managed by the Ministry of Property Relations . But in 2001, this vast territory on the banks of the Moskva River was inherited by the Russian professor, director of the Institute of Crystallography of the Russian Academy of Sciences Mikhail Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk himself at the same time spoke about the plight of scientists. “I know for sure, starting from what amount, graduate students will start sitting at work. This amount is miserable compared to what is paid in the West. Starting from 200- 300 dollars, ” he wrote in his article for the journal Otechestvennye Zapiski in 2002. But Mikhail has a brother, Yuri Kovalchuk - a shareholder of the bank "Russia" and one of the founders of the famous cooperative "Lake", around which a circle of St. Petersburg friends of President Putin was formed. In 2005, Mikhail Kovalchuk transferred the site to the Mikhail and Yuri Kovalch uki authorized capital of the Usadba-21 Century company, which he had just established. At the same time, the construction of the mansion began at the site, and by 2010, according to Google Earth, a helipad appeared there. In December 2011, the owner of the plot changed again - the non-commercial partnership “Revival of traditions and culture of country rest” became them. Its owners are certain Ipex and Tarteks. The owner of IPEX is an offshore company from the British Virgin Islands Girard Finance Limited. At irst, Tartax was owned by Cyprus’s Infotarget Consultants Limited Gennady Timchenko (although he was not a member of the Lake cooperative, also an old and reliable friend of Putin): through this company he owned the oil trader Surgutex along Peter Kolbin.
Recommended publications
  • 2302 Order of Nevsky. Type 1. Award # 363. First Variation of the Very First Issue of Orders of A. Nevsky, with Center Medallion Held by 2 Rivets from Reverse
    to 1.5x 2302 2302 Order of Nevsky. Type 1. Award # 363. First variation of the very first issue of orders of A. Nevsky, with center medallion held by 2 rivets from reverse. There are only handful of orders of this variation observed, with this piece being the only one we’ve ever handled. One of the rarest soviet orders. Elusive and important variation! Provenance: P. McDaniel, P. Schmitt „The Comprehensive Guide to Soviet Orders and Medals“ p.124 – plate item. Condition: Enamel restored at 3 o’clock arm, stick-pin is a replacement, suspension may not be original to the order, still very impressive with full gold plating, and crisp details of the medallion. Very Rare $ 25,000 121 2303 2303 Order of Nevsky. Type 2. Award # 9464. Original silver nut. Comes with copies of official research from Ministry of Defense of Russian Federation – awarded to Guards Captain V. Volosyankin, company commander of 131st Guards Rifle Regiment, 45th Rifle Division, 30th Guards Rifle Corps. English translation attached. Also comes with Certificate of Authenticity from Paul McDaniel (6 out of 10 condition rating). Condition: Light patina, some red enamel replaced, about 50% of the gold-plating remains $ 4,000 2304 2304 Order of Nevsky. Type 3. Award # 12370. Variation 3. Early "ìîíåòíûé äâîð" issue. Original silver nut. Comes with copies of official research from Ministry of Defense of Russian Federation – awarded to Guards Major S. Zinakov, commander of special armor train detachment. English translation attached. Condition: Dark patina with full gold-plating remaining. Superb $ 4,000 2305 122 2305 Complete documented group of Jun.
    [Show full text]
  • Professor Klaus Schwab
    Professor Klaus Schwab 1971 1998 2004 2011 Founder and Executive Co-Founder, together with Founder, Forum of the Founder, Global Shapers Chairman, World his wife Hilde, Schwab Young Global Leaders Community Economic Forum Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship The Forum of Young The Global Shapers The World Economic Forum, Global Leaders (YGL) is a Community is a global committed to improving the The Schwab Foundation multistakeholder community network of local communities state of the world, is the for Social Entrepreneurship (30 to 40 years old) of (“hubs”) of young people International Organization for provides unparalleled exceptional young leaders (20 to 30 years old) who are Public-Private Cooperation. platforms at the regional who share a commitment exceptional in their potential, The Forum engages the and global level to highlight to shaping the global achievements and drive foremost political, business and advance leading future. Each year, the World to make a contribution to and other leaders of society models of sustainable social Economic Forum identifies their communities. Hubs to shape global, regional and innovation. It identifies a 100 extraordinary individuals are based in each major industry agendas. select community of social worldwide to join the YGL city around the world. There The World Economic Forum entrepreneurs and engages community for five years. are currently over 450 hubs today is the foremost it in shaping global, regional Today, they form a powerful established globally. The global multistakeholder and industry agendas that international community of community is vitalized by organisation, employing improve the state of the over 1,000 young leaders the manifold interactions more than 600 people in world in close collaboration having a significant impact generated within each hub, Geneva, New York, Beijing with the other stakeholders on our global future.
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Sanctions Peter A
    04 2019 Winter Vol. 20 SPECIALS SPOTLIGHT TRENDS Giving Away Wealth? The Asylum, Statistic Update Trade Effects of the Migration, and Yuan Devaluation Integration Fund of Martin T. Braml and the EU Marina Steininger Chang Woon Nam The ifo Export Climate – A Leading Indicator to Forecast German Export Growth Christian Grimme and Robert Lehmann FOCUS Economic Sanctions Peter A. G. van Bergeijk, Gerald Schneider and Patrick M. Weber, Anders Åslund, Iikka Korhonen, John J. Forrer and Kathleen Harrington, Christian von Soest CESifo Forum ISSN 1615-245X (print version) ISSN 2190-717X (electronic version) A quarterly journal on European economic issues Publisher and distributor: ifo Institute, Poschingerstr. 5, 81679 Munich, Germany Telephone +49 89 9224-0, telefax +49 89 9224-98 53 69, email [email protected] Annual subscription rate: €50.00 Single subscription rate: €15.00 Shipping not included Editor: Chang Woon Nam ([email protected]) Indexed in EconLit Reproduction permitted only if source is stated and copy is sent to the ifo Institute. www.cesifo.org VOLUME 20, NUMBER 4, Winter 2019 FOCUS Economic Sanctions Can the Sanction Debate Be Resolved? 3 Peter A. G. van Bergeijk Biased, But Surprisingly Effective: Economic Coercion after the Cold War 9 Gerald Schneider and Patrick M. Weber Western Economic Sanctions on Russia over Ukraine, 2014-2019 14 Anders Åslund Economic Sanctions on Russia and Their Effects 19 Iikka Korhonen The Trump Administration’s Use of Trade Tariffs as Economic Sanctions 23 John J. Forrer and Kathleen Harrington Individual Sanctions: Toward a New Research Agenda 28 Christian von Soest SPECIALS Giving Away Wealth? Trade Effects of the Yuan Devaluation 32 Martin T.
    [Show full text]
  • British, Russian, Chinese and World Orders, Medals, Decorations and Miniatures
    British, Russian, Chinese and World Orders, Medals, Decorations and Miniatures To be sold by auction at: Sotheby’s, in the Upper Grosvenor Gallery The Aeolian Hall, Bloomfield Place New Bond Street London W1A 2AA Day of Sale: Thursday 29 November 2012 at 10.00am and 2.30pm Public viewing: 45 Maddox Street, London W1S 2PE Monday 26 November 10.00 am to 4.30 pm Tuesday 27 November 10.00 am to 4.30 pm Wednesday 28 November 10.00 am to 4.30 pm Or by previous appointment. Catalogue no. 60 Price £15 Enquiries: James Morton or Paul Wood in association with 45 Maddox Street, London W1S 2PE Tel.: +44 (0)20 7493 5344 Fax: +44 (0)20 7495 6325 Email: [email protected] Website: www mortonandeden.com This auction is conducted by Morton & Eden Ltd. in accordance with our Conditions of Business printed at the back of this catalogue. All questions and comments relating to the operation of this sale or to its content should be addressed to Morton & Eden Ltd. and not to Sotheby’s. Online Bidding This auction can be viewed online at www.the-saleroom.com and www.invaluable.com. Morton & Eden Ltd offers an online bidding service via www.the-saleroom.com. This is provided on the understanding that Morton & Eden Ltd shall not be responsible for errors or failures to execute internet bids for reasons including but not limited to: i) a loss of internet connection by either party; ii) a breakdown or other problems with the online bidding software; iii) a breakdown or other problems with your computer, system or internet connection.
    [Show full text]
  • Journalistic Investigations Into Cases of Transborder Corruption
    Working Group on Fighting Transborder Corruption Journalistic investigations into cases of transborder corruption Сollection of case studies 2018 Journalistic investigations into cases of transborder corruption Collection of case studies Working Group on Fighting Transborder Corruption of the EU-Russia Civil Society Forum Editorial board: Andrei Kalikh, Anastasia Kirilenko, Harry Hummel This collection of articles covers several types of anticorruption journalistic investigation. Each of the authors – journalists, experts and public activists – analyzes their preferred type of investigation. The collection includes the descriptions of the following methods: data based investigation (big data journalism, state and commercial registers, open source research), undercover investigation, interview based investigation, search in DarkWeb. The goal of the publication is to show different methods of doing transborder corruption investigations. It is designed for a wide range of readers – novice authors, researchers, civil society activists, journalists interested in cooperation in international anti-corruption investigations, etc. All rights reserved © EU-Russia Civil Society Forum © Expert Group “Fighting Transborder Corruption”, 2018 © Authors, 2018 Contact: [email protected] 2 Table of contents: Foreword 4 Part one. Investigations based on data analysis Using real estate registers and databases: The case of Karlovy Vary 8 Mikhail Maglov Working with Big Data: The Investigative Dashboard – A Swiss Knife 14 for Global Reporting on Corruption and Organized Crime Atanas Tchobanov “Bringing together new investigative tools and traditional journalistic work” 18 Working with open sources. Interview with Aric Toler Part two. Other types of investigation From Russia with Cash: An Experience of Undercover Investigation 23 Roman Borisovich Interview based investigations. “Confessions”. 33 Anastasia Kirilenko Look under the iceberg: hidden opportunities on the Internet 43 for investigative journalists Maksim Ishmatov Conclusion.
    [Show full text]
  • The Ukrainian Weekly 2014, No.31
    www.ukrweekly.com INSIDE: l In the press: op-eds by Poroshenko, Harper – page 3 l Focus on Chicago’s Ukrainian National Museum – page 10 l Temple U. prof’s book on Kyiv’s ‘domes and demons’ – page 11 THEPublished U by theKRAINIAN Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationEEKLY Vol. LXXXII No. 31 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 3, 2014 $2.00 EU adopts broad Rada approves budget amendments, economic sanctions rejects resignation of PM Yatsenyuk against Russia by Zenon Zawada KYIV – Ukraine’s Parliament voted on July 31 to approve RFE/RL amendments to Ukraine’s budget and tax code, a week BRUSSELS – The European Union has agreed to after rejecting them despite warnings from the Cabinet of impose broad economic sanctions on Russia over its Ministers that they are essential for ensuring financing for alleged role in the Ukraine crisis. EU ambassadors agreed Ukraine’s army and the next round of Western loans. on the measures at a meeting in Brussels on July 29. The Verkhovna Rada also rejected the resignation letter EU President Herman Van Rompuy said in a state- submitted by Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk on July 25, ment the measures will restrict access to EU capital the day after two parliamentary factions – the Ukrainian markets for Russian state-owned banks, impose an Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR) and Svoboda – embargo on trade in arms, and restrict exports of declined to support the amendments and announced their dual-use goods and sensitive technologies, particular- exit from the majority coalition, which also included the ly in the field of the oil sector.
    [Show full text]
  • U.S. Sanctions Against Russia: Theory, Scope, and Intended and Unintended Consequences for the Investment Behavior of Russian Business Owners
    Working Paper Series International Trade and Economic Diplomacy Middlebury Institute of International Studies Monterey, CA U.S. Sanctions Against Russia: Theory, Scope, and Intended and Unintended Consequences for the Investment Behavior of Russian Business Owners Darrell Stanaford MA in International Trade and Economic Diplomacy Candidate December 2020 Abstract The purpose of this research paper is to explore the use of sanctions against Russian individual businessmen. It seeks to understand how the sanctioning of individuals fits into the overall policy of U.S. sanctions against Russia. It asks what specific sanction policies goals were furthered by sanctioning specific businessmen, for what actions they were selected as targets of the sanctions and if there is a logical connection between the two. Finally, it asks if the sanctions were effective and if there were any unintended consequences of them. The views and findings expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies or any officials of the Institute. I. Introduction This paper explores the use of sanctions against Russian individual businessmen. It seeks to understand how the sanctioning of individuals fits into the overall policy of U.S. sanctions against Russia. It asks what specific sanction policies goals were furthered by sanctioning specific businessmen, for what actions they were selected as targets of the sanctions and if there is a logical connection between the two. Finally, it asks if the sanctions were effective and if there were any unintended consequences of them. II. Post-Cold War U.S. Sanctions Against Russia Beginning with the death of Sergei Magnitsky in a Russian prison in 2009, the United States has imposed a range of sanctions against Russian individuals for different reasons and with different purposes.
    [Show full text]
  • Dialogue of Cultures and Partnership of Civilizations
    RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF EDUCATION ST. PETERSBURG INTELLIGENTSIA CONGRESS ST. PETERSBURG UNIVERSITY OF THE HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES under the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia DIALOGUE OF CULTURES AND PARTNERSHIP OF CIVILIZATIONS May 15–20, 2014 The Conference is held in accordance with The conference, originally called ‘The Days of Sci - the Decree of President of Russia V. V. Putin en ce in St. Petersburg University of the Humanities ‘On perpetuating the memory and Social Sciences’ is the 22nd in number of Dmitry Sergeyevich Likhachov’ and the 14th in the status of the International No 587, dated from May 23, 2001 Likhachov Scientific Conference To implement the project ‘The 14th International Likhachov Scientific Conference’ state funds are used. The funds are allocated as a grant in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of March 29, 2013 No 115–rp and the tender held by the Association “Znaniye” of Russia St. Petersburg 2014 ББК 72 Д44 Scientifi c editor A. S. Zapesotsky, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the International Likhachov Scientifi c Conference, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Dr. Sc. (Cultural Studies), Professor, Scientist Emeritus of the Russian Federation, Artist Emeritus of the Russian Federation Recommended to be published by the Editorial and Publishing Council of St. Petersburg University of the Humanities and Social Sciences Dialogue of Cultures and Partnership of Civilizations: the 14th Inter national Д44 Likha chov Scientifi c Conference, May 15–20, 2014. St. Peters burg : SPbUHSS, 2014. — 174 p., il. ISBN 978-5-7621-0792-1 In the collection there were materials of the 14th Likhachov’s International Scientifi c Readings published, it was held on May 15–20, 2014 in SPbUHSS in accordance with the Decree of the Presi- dent of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin “On perpetuating the memory of Dmitry Sergeyevich Likhachov”.
    [Show full text]
  • Rossiya Bank | Банки.Ру
    6/3/2016 Rossiya bank | Банки.ру Москва EN Наши проекты 3 июня, 18:11 Вход Регистрация Поиск по banki.ru 36% последнее предложение Рейтинг рублевых вкладов Инвестируй в МФО Мани Фанни! от 1 500 Эксклюзивное исследование 000р — осталось 19 дней Банки.ру — май, 2016 БАНКИ СТРАХОВАНИЕ МОБИЛЬНАЯ СВЯЗЬ И ИНТЕРНЕТ НОВОСТИ БАНКИ И КОМПАНИИ ПРОДУКТЫ И УСЛУГИ РЕЙТИНГИ ОБЩЕНИЕ СЕРВИСЫ Все события дня Банки Москвы Вклады Народный рейтинг Форум Кредитные истории Лента новостей Банки России Потребительские кредиты Финансовые Отзывы о банках Перевод с карты на Обзор прессы Микрофинансовые Специальные предложения показатели Вопрос — ответ карту Видео организации Дебетовые карты Кредитные рейтинги «Банк года» 2015 Мои вклады Звезды в банке Национальная система Кредитные карты Служебный рейтинг Друзья банков Денежные переводы платежных карт показать все меню Главная • Банки России Rossiya bank По-русски Name Rossiya Full name Open Joint Stock Company "Bank "Rossiya" Licence 328 | Summary on the Central Bank of Russia Site Ranking Net assets 584 544 280 RUR, tnd, 16th place in Russia, 2nd place in regions on 01.05.2016 г. Net prot 1 010 533 RUR, tnd, 24th place in Russia, 3rd place in regions All indicators ► Headquarter 191124, Saint Petersburg, Rastrelli square, 2, lit. A URL www.abr.ru Banki.ru reference Shared commercial bank Rossiya, which was registered by the State Bank of the USSR, was founded in 1990 with the participation of the Leningrad Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The bank has been named Joint Stock Bank Rossiya since 1997. The bank has been close to the political elite not only of St.
    [Show full text]
  • Congressional Record—Senate S9630
    S9630 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 2, 1996 camping and scenic views, the young mine is encountered. Mine clearance HIGH RUSSIAN HONOR TO IOWAN girl scouts found themselves inspired will continue through 1997 in the thou- JOHN CHRYSTAL by this natural habitat while learning sands of hectares of the surrounding ∑ Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, John lessons on the environment and work farm and forest land. This will allow Chrystal, an outstanding Iowan, is one ethics that would accompany them on citizens to productively and effectively of only two Americans to be awarded their future endeavors. utilize the land again, and will help re- the Order of Friendship, the highest For the alumnae from 12 States as forest the area. honor that the Government of Russia far away as California, Camp Natarswi As a member of the PeaceTrees Viet- can bestow on a noncitizen. This will forever be a place where friend- nam International Advisory Board, I award, which was given at the behest ships flourished and lessons were am pleased to have the opportunity to of Russian President Boris Yeltsin, was learned about life and the importance assist efforts to make this landmine- presented at a ceremony in Des Moines, of our natural resources. Most of all, ridden area safe again, and to raise IA, by the Russian Ambassador to the these women were instilled with the awareness of the global problem of United States, Yuli M. Vorontsov. It Girl Scout tradition, something they landmines. I applaud the work of all has been my privilege to have John as have passed down to their children and those who have helped organize and im- a close personal friend for many years, grandchildren.
    [Show full text]
  • Corruption in Russia As a Business: Putin's Palace Case Study
    Institute of Modern Russia Corruption in Russia as a Business: Putin’s Palace Case Study Corruption in Russia as a Business: Putin’s Palace Case Study Institute of Modern Russia Alexandra Kalinina Dekabristov str., 20-1-157 Moscow, Russia 127273 Mob.: 007 910 405 64 75 e-mail: [email protected] Moscow, 30 November 2012 Institute of Modern Russia Corruption in Russia as a Business: Putin’s Palace Case Study Contents 1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 3 2. THE CURRENT STATE OF CORRUPTION IN RUSSIA ....................................................................................... 4 2.1. CHARACTER, AREAS, AND LEVEL OF CORRUPTION IN RUSSIA ...................................................................................... 4 2.2. CORRUPTION AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS IN RUSSIA ..................................................................................................... 9 3. SHORT HISTORICAL EXCURSUS AND REASONS OF CORRUPTION IN RUSSIA ............................................... 21 3.1. SHORT HISTORICAL EXCURSUS ........................................................................................................................... 22 3.1.1. Corruption in Russia since ancient times till the beginning of the 20th century ................................ 22 3.1.2. Corruption in Russia during the USSR period ..................................................................................... 25 3.1.3.
    [Show full text]
  • Russia: Background and U.S. Policy
    Russia: Background and U.S. Policy Cory Welt Analyst in European Affairs August 21, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R44775 Russia: Background and U.S. Policy Summary Over the last five years, Congress and the executive branch have closely monitored and responded to new developments in Russian policy. These developments include the following: increasingly authoritarian governance since Vladimir Putin’s return to the presidential post in 2012; Russia’s 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region and support of separatists in eastern Ukraine; violations of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty; Moscow’s intervention in Syria in support of Bashar al Asad’s government; increased military activity in Europe; and cyber-related influence operations that, according to the U.S. intelligence community, have targeted the 2016 U.S. presidential election and countries in Europe. In response, the United States has imposed economic and diplomatic sanctions related to Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Syria, malicious cyber activity, and human rights violations. The United States also has led NATO in developing a new military posture in Central and Eastern Europe designed to reassure allies and deter aggression. U.S. policymakers over the years have identified areas in which U.S. and Russian interests are or could be compatible. The United States and Russia have cooperated successfully on issues such as nuclear arms control and nonproliferation, support for military operations in Afghanistan, the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs, the International Space Station, and the removal of chemical weapons from Syria. In addition, the United States and Russia have identified other areas of cooperation, such as countering terrorism, illicit narcotics, and piracy.
    [Show full text]