Recent History Timeline
A brief outline of how Russia got where it is today
Do you wonder how we got here? Unless you carefully follow the news, it may be difficult to put together the picture of Russia in recent decades. This timeline shows you the highlights you may have heard about and puts them into a broader context.
We are not historians and our selection of events was subjective. If you think we missed an important milestone or can add some interesting facts, please, let us know or help us write additional texts.
1990s
Freedom and chaos
Everything was possible. The fall of the planned economy brought freedom along with unimaginable social inequality. Cultural outburst, freedom of choice, fights in the parliament, and a feeling of hope. But also extreme poverty, mafia, and instability. The current elites gained their power in those times.
Early days
1991
👊 The August Coup
A conservative attempt to restore the Soviet Union. Failed due to low support within the society.
Read more
1994
🎤 Eurovision and more
Russia joins Eurovision. *Puppets*, political show satire, starts broadcasting.
1990s
📺 Free media
New independent radio stations and TV Chanels such as Echo of Moscow. Also MTV!
1993
✅ New constitution created
Voted in referendum: The people said ‘yes’ to freedom.
1991
🌎 No more exit visas
Soviet citizens no longer need to ask for permission to travel abroad.
1990s
💰 Price liberalisation
Russia joins the IMF. The credits to develop the market economy are being issued throughout all the following years.
1992-1994
💰 Voucher privatisation
Disputable decision of economic liberalisation.
Chechnya wars and economical crisis
1995-1997
⛪ New cathedral
The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is being rebuilt. It was destroyed in Soviet times.
1998
👎 Financial crisis
The financial reform fails. Ruble's value goes down drastically and country goes into default.
1994
💥 First war with Chechnya
Russia enters into First Chechen War, ending with Chechen autonomy. At the same time, Russia joins Nato's Partnership for Peace.
1996
💻 Internet becomes available
The first internet provider appears. Yandex, so-called Russian Google, is established.
1996
🌎 Joining Europe and the world
Russia joins the Council of Europe. It is also admitted to the G7 group.
1997
💰 Monetary reform
Goverment tries to solve economic issues. It does not end up well.
1997
🌎 Permanent joint council with NATO
Cooperation between NATO and Russia is extended. Possibility of Russia joining NATO is being discussed.
Putin rises
1997
👤 Boris Nemtsov as prime minister
Boris Nemtsov is appointed to office. He remains a prime minister for 4 months.
1999
🌎 Putin becomes prime minister
Yeltzin appoints Putin with the brief to get Chechnya under control.
1999
💥 Second war with Chechnya
Death toll of the war is estimated to be over 60,000.
2000s
Vegetarian days
The 2000’s started with the Chechen wars and terrorist attacks all over the country.
At the same time, they say that there was no such time in Russian history with such an economical growth, especially for the middle class. Yet, the economy does not solve all problems.
The 90’s euro/american optimism has been gradually substituted with the new ideas – patriotism, allegiance to the glorious past, and the feeling of exceptionalism – we have our own, unique way.
Dream of stability
2006
💥 Assassination of Anna Politkovskaya
Well-recognised journalist, famous for her criticism of Russian actions in Chechnya, was shot dead.
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2004
The Pritzker in St Petersburg
Prize is held in St Petersburg. Zaha Hadid is the laureat.
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2005
📺 Russia Today (RT) begins its broadcast
Question more, they say. Usually, they question only those who are against Putin.
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2001
🏛️ United Russia is formed
Stability, after the years of chaos, becomes its main idea and goal.
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2000
Walking Together
New Putin's pioneer organisation. Yet, not widespread.
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2003
The Yukos affair
Khodorkovsky and Lebedev would end up in jail, the company would be nationalised.
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2004
Beslan school siege
333 people, 186 of them children died. The storming by Russian forces has been highly criticised afterwards.
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2004
🗳️ Putin is re-elected
“The slide of the country into authoritarianism”(1), as commented by Grigory Yavlinsky.
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2000
🗳️ Putin is elected
Having been assigned as Yeltsin's successor only a couple of months ago, Putin wins his first election.
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2000
💥 Kursk submarine disaster
“It sank”. Told by Putin, this short comment on the death of 118 sailors became quite memorable and demonstrative even back then.
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2006
Litvinenko is poisoned
An ex FSB-officer, famous for criticising FSB and Putin, was killed.
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2001
🕵 Lourdes SIGNIT is closed
The largest Russian military base in Cuba is closed.
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2006
🏳️🌈 Moscow Pride 2006
Banned by the authorities to protect those who are offended by it.
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2002
NATO-Russia council established
"Joint decisions and actions", military cooperation.
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2000
☭ Stalin's anthem is back
Old tune, new lyrics.
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2005
😂 Putin promises not to change the Constitution
He seeks no way to go for the third presidential term. Indeed.
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2001
The Seizure of NTV
The new managment converted an independent channel into pro-government one.
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2005
☢️ Nuclear supply deal with Iran
Befrending disputable regimes would soon become a habit.
Read moreMan of the year
2007
🤑 Rags to riches
Forbes magazine reports that Russia now has 60 billionaires. Only 15 years ago there was none.
Read more
2007
🚨 Dissenters' March
"Russia without Putin!", "Shame!", "Give the elections back!" was shouted in the streets. 113 people were detained.
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2007
🗯️ Munich speech of Putin
Putin turns hostile towards the US foriegn policy
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2007
📰 Putin - the person of the year
“He's not a good guy, but he's done extraordinary things”.
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2007
🛂 Visa facilitation agreement with the EU
It was belived to be the first step towards Schengen.
Read moreThe Medvedev Thaw
2008
💥 Russo-Gerogian war
Being afraid of Georgia making new friends on the West, Russia supports rebelious Osetia with troops and tanks
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2009-2010
🤝🏻 Partnership for Modernisation
The great expectations to build a bridge between Russia and the EU.
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2009-2013
🤝🏻 The Reset
Obama-Medvedev's attempt to improve relastionships between the countries.
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2008
📟 Prison for a message
A woman was charged with High Treason for sending an SMS to Georgia describing the movements of the Russian troops.
Read more
2009
💥 Strategy-31
Series of protests to protect the 31st article of the Constitution, guranteeing Freedom of Assmebly.
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2009
💥 Baburova and Markelov are murdered
The human rights activists, famous for their anti-Nazi investigations, are killed.
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2008
🗳️ Medvedev is elected
They'd call these times the Medvedev's thaw. The only one gap in Putin's presidency.
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2008
🎵 Bilan wins Eurovision
First time in history, Russia wins Eurovision with a song Believe.
Read more2010s
Protest years
The previous years of relative prosperity along with theoretical freedom kickstarted the growth of civil society.
The long-lasting 2008’s economical crisis brought a political one – a new-born middle-class started to disagree with the political decisions, taken with no consent.
The growing protest power provoked a reaction – every step a society took would end up in new restrictions. At the same time, the aggressive international course taken in 2008, justified the Crimean annexation, nurturing people’s imperial ambitions, has aggravated the already taken course to isolation. As life shows, the most horrible things happen when nobody can see it.
Castling
2011
Legilslative elections
Carousel voting, fraud, massive protest afterwards, and yet, the pro-Putin party stays in power.
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2012
Mother of God, Putin Put!
A punk-band Pussy Riot performed in the main cathedral. They'll end up in jail.
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2010
🤝🏻 New START treaty
A new nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation is reached.
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2011
Police reform
New name, more money, less responsibility.
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2012
Presidential elections
“I promised you we would win. We have won. Glory to Russia!"
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2010
Religious education
With secular ethics option de jure, with orthodox priests spreading the word of God in public schools de facto.
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2011–2013
The Snow Revolution
Having started right after the legislative elections, it would gather thousands of people staying against the regime.
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2013
Blasphemy law
After the Pussy Riot case, Russia decides to start protecting religious sensibilities by putting people into jail.
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2012
Bolotnaya Square case
The biggest protest in modern Russian history would end up in the large scale repression against Freedom of Assembly.
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2012
Foreign agent law
NGOs, media organisations, and common people who recevie any funding from abroad are scrutinised.
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2013
Gay propaganda law
No more "distorted ideas about the equal social value of traditional and non-traditional sexual relationships".
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2012
The Scoundrels' Law
In response to the Magnitsky Act, Russia decided to ban the US citizens from adopting Russian children.
Read moreCrimean consensus
2014
Crimea is taken
The return of Crimea, they call it.
Read more
2014
Dozhd TV channel eviction
One of the last independent channels is forced to leave their office.
Read more
2014
🚷 Further restrictions
Unauthorised demonstrations are punishable by a fine or detention of up to 15 days. 5 years, if it is the 3rd breach.
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2014
Lenta.ru changes the management
The biggest liberal Internet media fires the chief editor. They soon would open Meduza.
Read more
2014
💥 Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
The Eastern Ukraine separatists, funded by Russia, shoot down a civil aeroplane.
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2016
Nucleat pact suspension
Both uranium agreement and nuclear pact with the USA are suspended by Russia.
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2016
Supermajority in the parliament
United Russia wins a supermajority. Parliament is not a place for discussions, once said the speaker of the State Duma.
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2015
The Syrian campaign
Russia decides to support Bashar Asad by military intervention.
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2014
Winter olympics
A celebration of life, not without its controversies.
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2017-2018
Anti-corruption protests
Mainly concerned with suppressing corruption, the protests gathered thousands of Russians.
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2015
Boris Nemtsov is murdered
A famous Russian politic, an ex-prime minister, is killed right next to Kremlin. Insignificant, calls him Putin.
Read moreFifa World Cup
2019
Disrespect to authorities law
"Disrespect for society, government, state symbols, the constitution and government institutions" by media are fined.
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2018
Pension protests
The core electorate, the pensioners, protest against the retirement age hike. Communists start gaining support.
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2019
Stolen elections
The highly corrupted Moscow city Duma elections provoke furious protests.
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2018
The FIFA World Cup
Russians make friends with foreigners. Probably, for the last time.
Read more
2018
The Forth Term
Here we're again.
Read more2020s
No way back
It all started with global isolation. Usually, having a dialogue helps to make a considered decision. However, the regime has been gradually destroying all sorts of opposite views on Russia – be it an internal political opposition, free media, or various international connections.
Externally, from subtle hybrid Georgian/Donetsk intervention, the Putin regime started a real war, ending any dialogue with Ukraine along with the West.
Internally, they closed almost all the independent media and non-commercial organisations that did not play the main tune.
The 20's have just started.
Before the war started
2020
January, Covid
Covid appears in Russia.
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2021
September, Elections
Fraud, again.
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2021
December, Memorial closure
An NGO, dedicated to preserving memories of Stalin victims, is closed under the Foreign Agent Law
Read more
2021
January, Navalny is arrested
Previously poisoned, Navalny got back to Russia in January. Arrested upon arrival, put into jail.
Read more
2020
August, Navalny's poisoning
Prominent opposition politician is poisoned, but survived by pure chance. Later, he ends up in jail
Read more
2021
December, No warrant needed
The Russian policy from now on can search homes and cars with no warrant
Read more2020
July, Referendum
Putin is safe - he can be re-elected again. The local government has no power, marriage – only between men and women
Read moreAfter the war started
Usually, having a dialogue helps to make a considered decision. However, the regime has been gradually destroying all sorts of opposite views on Russia – be it an internal political opposition, free media, or various international connections.
Externally, from subtle hybrid Georgian/Donetsk intervention, the Putin regime started a real war, ending any dialogue with Ukraine along with the West.
Internally, they closed almost all the independent media and non-commercial organisations that did not play the main tune.
Right after the war started, Echo of Moscow was closed. Meduza, Dozdh, along with many of the free media were blocked. The very word war is banned - it may put one into jail up to 15 years. Somebody already has their 7 years.
The war continues.
What now?
Russia explained
Read a few briefsWhen we think about politics and society, we tend to think in democratic terms. Russia however is not a democratic state. We try to explain the Russian terms and principles in simplest terms possible to give a context to the current happenings.
Stories of people
Read a storyTo put a human face to social phenomena, we recommend you to read a few stories of real Russians against the war. Some of them are brave activists, some of them just ordinary people. In any case, they vehemently disagree with the actions of their country (and this position affected their life in one way or another).