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
Консервативна спроба поновити Радянський Союз. Через низьку підтримку у суспільстві - невдала.
Читати далі
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
⛪ Новий храм
Вiдбудова Храма Христа Спасителя. Його було зруйновано у радянськi часи.
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.
Читати далі
2004
The Pritzker in St Petersburg
Prize is held in St Petersburg. Zaha Hadid is the laureat.
Читати далі
2005
📺 Russia Today (RT) begins its broadcast
Question more, they say. Usually, they question only those who are against Putin.
Читати далі
2001
🏛️ United Russia is formed
Stability, after the years of chaos, becomes its main idea and goal.
Читати далі
2000
Walking Together
New Putin's pioneer organisation. Yet, not widespread.
Читати далі
2003
The Yukos affair
Khodorkovsky and Lebedev would end up in jail, the company would be nationalised.
Читати далі
2004
Beslan school siege
333 people, 186 of them children died. The storming by Russian forces has been highly criticised afterwards.
Читати далі
2004
🗳️ Putin is re-elected
“The slide of the country into authoritarianism”(1), as commented by Grigory Yavlinsky.
Читати далі
2000
🗳️ Putin is elected
Having been assigned as Yeltsin's successor only a couple of months ago, Putin wins his first election.
Читати далі
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.
Читати далі
2006
Litvinenko is poisoned
An ex FSB-officer, famous for criticising FSB and Putin, was killed.
Читати далі
2001
🕵 Lourdes SIGNIT is closed
The largest Russian military base in Cuba is closed.
Читати далі
2006
🏳️🌈 Moscow Pride 2006
Banned by the authorities to protect those who are offended by it.
Читати далі
2002
NATO-Russia council established
"Joint decisions and actions", military cooperation.
Читати далі
2000
☭ Stalin's anthem is back
Old tune, new lyrics.
Читати далі
2005
😂 Putin promises not to change the Constitution
He seeks no way to go for the third presidential term. Indeed.
Читати далі
2001
The Seizure of NTV
The new managment converted an independent channel into pro-government one.
Читати далі
2005
☢️ Nuclear supply deal with Iran
Befrending disputable regimes would soon become a habit.
Читати даліMan of the year
2007
🤑 Rags to riches
Forbes magazine reports that Russia now has 60 billionaires. Only 15 years ago there was none.
Читати далі
2007
🚨 Dissenters' March
"Russia without Putin!", "Shame!", "Give the elections back!" was shouted in the streets. 113 people were detained.
Читати далі
2007
🗯️ Munich speech of Putin
Putin turns hostile towards the US foriegn policy
Читати далі
2007
📰 Putin - the person of the year
“He's not a good guy, but he's done extraordinary things”.
Читати далі
2007
🛂 Visa facilitation agreement with the EU
It was belived to be the first step towards Schengen.
Читати даліThe Medvedev Thaw
2008
💥 Russo-Gerogian war
Being afraid of Georgia making new friends on the West, Russia supports rebelious Osetia with troops and tanks
Читати далі
2009-2010
🤝🏻 Partnership for Modernisation
The great expectations to build a bridge between Russia and the EU.
Читати далі
2009-2013
🤝🏻 The Reset
Obama-Medvedev's attempt to improve relastionships between the countries.
Читати далі
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.
Читати далі
2009
💥 Strategy-31
Series of protests to protect the 31st article of the Constitution, guranteeing Freedom of Assmebly.
Читати далі
2009
💥 Baburova and Markelov are murdered
The human rights activists, famous for their anti-Nazi investigations, are killed.
Читати далі
2008
🗳️ Medvedev is elected
They'd call these times the Medvedev's thaw. The only one gap in Putin's presidency.
Читати далі
2008
🎵 Bilan wins Eurovision
First time in history, Russia wins Eurovision with a song Believe.
Читати далі2010s
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.
Читати далі
2012
Mother of God, Putin Put!
A punk-band Pussy Riot performed in the main cathedral. They'll end up in jail.
Читати далі
2010
🤝🏻 New START treaty
A new nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation is reached.
Читати далі
2011
Police reform
New name, more money, less responsibility.
Читати далі
2012
Presidential elections
“I promised you we would win. We have won. Glory to Russia!"
Читати далі
2010
Religious education
With secular ethics option de jure, with orthodox priests spreading the word of God in public schools de facto.
Читати далі
2011–2013
The Snow Revolution
Having started right after the legislative elections, it would gather thousands of people staying against the regime.
Читати далі
2013
Blasphemy law
After the Pussy Riot case, Russia decides to start protecting religious sensibilities by putting people into jail.
Читати далі
2012
Bolotnaya Square case
The biggest protest in modern Russian history would end up in the large scale repression against Freedom of Assembly.
Читати далі
2012
Foreign agent law
NGOs, media organisations, and common people who recevie any funding from abroad are scrutinised.
Читати далі
2013
Gay propaganda law
No more "distorted ideas about the equal social value of traditional and non-traditional sexual relationships".
Читати далі
2012
The Scoundrels' Law
In response to the Magnitsky Act, Russia decided to ban the US citizens from adopting Russian children.
Читати даліCrimean consensus
2014
Crimea is taken
The return of Crimea, they call it.
Читати далі
2014
Dozhd TV channel eviction
One of the last independent channels is forced to leave their office.
Читати далі
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.
Читати далі
2014
Lenta.ru changes the management
The biggest liberal Internet media fires the chief editor. They soon would open Meduza.
Читати далі
2014
💥 Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
The Eastern Ukraine separatists, funded by Russia, shoot down a civil aeroplane.
Читати далі
2016
Nucleat pact suspension
Both uranium agreement and nuclear pact with the USA are suspended by Russia.
Читати далі
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.
Читати далі
2015
The Syrian campaign
Russia decides to support Bashar Asad by military intervention.
Читати далі
2014
Winter olympics
A celebration of life, not without its controversies.
Читати далі
2017-2018
Anti-corruption protests
Mainly concerned with suppressing corruption, the protests gathered thousands of Russians.
Читати далі
2015
Boris Nemtsov is murdered
A famous Russian politic, an ex-prime minister, is killed right next to Kremlin. Insignificant, calls him Putin.
Читати даліFifa World Cup
2019
Disrespect to authorities law
"Disrespect for society, government, state symbols, the constitution and government institutions" by media are fined.
Читати далі
2018
Pension protests
The core electorate, the pensioners, protest against the retirement age hike. Communists start gaining support.
Читати далі
2019
Stolen elections
The highly corrupted Moscow city Duma elections provoke furious protests.
Читати далі
2018
The FIFA World Cup
Russians make friends with foreigners. Probably, for the last time.
Читати далі
2018
The Forth Term
Here we're again.
Читати далі2020s
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.
Читати далі
2021
September, Elections
Fraud, again.
Читати далі
2021
December, Memorial closure
An NGO, dedicated to preserving memories of Stalin victims, is closed under the Foreign Agent Law
Читати далі
2021
January, Navalny is arrested
Previously poisoned, Navalny got back to Russia in January. Arrested upon arrival, put into jail.
Читати далі
2020
August, Navalny's poisoning
Prominent opposition politician is poisoned, but survived by pure chance. Later, he ends up in jail
Читати далі
2021
December, No warrant needed
The Russian policy from now on can search homes and cars with no warrant
Читати далі2020
July, Referendum
Putin is safe - he can be re-elected again. The local government has no power, marriage – only between men and women
Читати даліAfter 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.
Що тепер?
Росія пояснила
Прочитайте кілька записокWhen 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.
Історії людей
Прочитайте історіюTo 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).
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