Russia - International Studies of Strategic and Geopolitics

23Sep

By ISSGNo Comments

Russia’s influence in the Balkans

By José Carlos Palma* Russia's influence in the Balkans is a complex and long-standing phenomenon. It dates back to the Ottoman Empire when Russia saw itself as the protector of Orthodox Christians in the region. Russia intervened militarily in the Balkans on numerous occasions and played a key role in the independence of several Balkan countries in the 19th century. After the Second World War, Russia established communist governments in a number of Balkan countries, including Bulgaria, Romania, and Albania. These governments were close allies of the Soviet Union and played an important role in the Cold War. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia's influence in the Balkans declined. However, in recent years, Russia has sought to expand its influence in the region, partic...

Russia could destabilize the Horn of Africa now?

4Aug

By ISSGNo Comments

Africa, Regions

Russia could destabilize the Horn of Africa now?

By José Carlos Palma* Russia could destabilize the Horn of Africa now, and it is a concern that many experts have raised. Russia has been increasing its military presence in Africa in recent years, and the Horn of Africa is a region where Russia has been particularly active. There are a number of reasons why Russia could destabilize the Horn of Africa. First, Russia has been providing military assistance to Ethiopia, which is currently involved in a civil war. This assistance could give Ethiopia an advantage in the conflict, and it could also lead to further instability in the region. Second, Russia has been accused of supporting Eritrea, which is another country in the Horn of Africa that is known for its human rights abuses. This support could embolden Eritrea to continu...

The Militarization of Russia’s Murmansk Region: A Comprehensive Analysis of Strategic Significance

12Jul

By ISSGNo Comments

Arctic, Defense Strategy and Capabilities, Russia and Eurasia

The Militarization of Russia’s Murmansk Region: A Comprehensive Analysis of Strategic Significance

By José Carlos Palma * The Murmansk region in Russia stands as a critical and heavily militarized area due to its strategic location, historical defense considerations, and evolving geopolitical dynamics. Situated in the far northwestern part of the country, bordering the Barents Sea and adjacent to NATO members, the region plays a pivotal role in Russia's military posture. This article provides a deep and detailed analysis of the factors driving the militarization of the Murmansk region, examining its Arctic strategic importance, the significance of the Northern Fleet, military bases and installations, nuclear deterrence, Arctic military modernization, and geopolitical considerations. Arctic Strategic Importance: The Arctic region has become a focal point of international interest d...

What would Russians gain from a Democratic Society and Western standards of living?

10Apr

By ISSGNo Comments

Russia and Eurasia

What would Russians gain from a Democratic Society and Western standards of living?

By José Carlos Palma* A democratic society and Western standards of living could bring many benefits to the Russian people. Here are some potential gains: Greater freedom and human rights: A democratic society would provide greater freedom of speech, assembly, and association, as well as greater protection of human rights. This could lead to more open and transparent government, and greater accountability of officials. Economic prosperity: Western standards of living generally offer higher levels of economic prosperity, with better job opportunities, higher wages, and better living conditions. This could lead to an overall improvement in the standard of living for the Russian people. Access to technology and innovation: Western societies are known for their technological ...

Is China Losing Patience with Russia’s War?

24Feb

By ISSGNo Comments

Asia

Is China Losing Patience with Russia’s War?

By NOAH ROTHMAN * China’s supposed peace overture is likely a product of its unease with how its junior partner in Eurasia has prosecuted the conflict. All Our Opinion in Your Inbox NR Daily is delivered right to you every afternoon. No charge. SUBSCRIBE For months, political observers have been confronted with growing evidence that the formerly durable consensus in the West around the need to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s war of territorial expansion is eroding. This developing trend has been met with both trepidation and jubilance, depending on the observer’s political affinities. The risks associated with drawing a potentially fallacious straight-line projection into the future notwithstanding, the trend is real, and no one can afford to ignore it....

Russia will unveil the export Sukhoi Su-57E fighter in India

9Feb

By ISSGNo Comments

Military Technology, Defense Industry, Acquisition, and Innovation

Russia will unveil the export Sukhoi Su-57E fighter in India

MOSCOW, INDIA — Russia intends to show an export version of its Su-57E Felon fighter jet. Russia’s largest arms trading company, Rosoboronexport, announced the news to reporters. The Su-57E will be displayed in India at the Aero India 2023 International Air Show in Bangalore. The exhibition starts on February 13 and ends on February 17. This is the 14th Aero India Expo. Besides the Su-57E, Rosoboronexport reported that the Su-75 Checkmate will also be displayed in India. It is not clear from the statement of the Russian company whether a working prototype of the Su-75 will be displayed at the exhibition or mockup. Rosoboronexport plans to present 200 samples in India. In the short press release of the Russian commercial company, the Su-57 was called “a promising fifth-generation multi-...

Inside The Obscure Russian Agency That Censors The Internet – Analysis

8Feb

By ISSGNo Comments

Russia and Eurasia

Inside The Obscure Russian Agency That Censors The Internet – Analysis

By Daniil Belovodyev and Anton Bayev (RFE/RL) — In the first half of October 2022, employees of an obscure Russian government department working out of a small business center in northeast Moscow were worried about the weather. Not Moscow’s weather, but rather weather in four regions of Ukraine that President Vladimir Putin a couple weeks earlier had summarily declared were annexed and now part of Russia. The employees — IT specialists, analysts — worked for a relatively unknown entity called the Main Radio Frequency Center, a unit of the federal government agency charged with policing Russia’s Internet, Roskomnadzor. They trawled Russian websites, social-media pages, chat rooms, Telegram channels, and more, watching for potentially problematic issues: opposition protests, anti-war de...

Russia’s ‘Killer’ Swarm Drone Project: Russian, Chinese Agencies ‘Partner’ To Attack Ukraine’s Military Infra – British Media Claims

3Feb

By ISSGNo Comments

Military Technology, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Privacy

Russia’s ‘Killer’ Swarm Drone Project: Russian, Chinese Agencies ‘Partner’ To Attack Ukraine’s Military Infra – British Media Claims

By Ashish Dangwal In a covert arms agreement with Chinese spies, Russia’s infamous Wagner Group mercenaries are reportedly developing “swarm drones” to target Ukrainian armed forces. The explosive-tipped drones from China would reportedly be used in large numbers against Ukraine. These drones would be capable of wreaking havoc on military targets. The British media claimed that secret discussions between Chinese cyber experts, the Wagner Group, and spies from both nations have taken place as part of Moscow’s killer swarm project. The developments contrast Beijing’s claims that it is not engaged in the Ukraine war, morphing into a West-versus-East confrontation. Over 2,500 DJI Mavic2 drones were shipped from Beijing to Moscow as part of a secret agreement with Russia’s infamous W...

There are almost 6,000 Russian soldiers in Belarus – Intelligence Agency

26Jan

By ISSGNo Comments

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Privacy

There are almost 6,000 Russian soldiers in Belarus – Intelligence Agency

There are almost 6,000 Russian soldiers on the territory of Belarus. According to the press service of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the corresponding statement was made by the representative of the Main Intelligence Agency Vadym Skibitsky on the air of the national telethon. "Today, the land component on the territory of Belarus is 5,800 military personnel. The second mechanized division has now moved to the territory of Russia, and has also entered the territory of Ukraine. This is Luhansk region. Now units of the sixth division, units of territorial troops, are entering there for training. This is not at all like that the contingent that was at the beginning of the aggression. There is no powerful aviation component, despite the training, there ...

Russian saboteurs seek to hamper Putin’s war machine

25Jan

By ISSGNo Comments

Russia and Eurasia

Russian saboteurs seek to hamper Putin’s war machine

Anti-Putin activists try to slow down Russia’s war in Ukraine and say they are willing to step up their violence. On the night of January 4, a section of tracks along the Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk region was blown up. The rail line was used by the Russian army to transport supplies to Ukraine. A photo and video clip of an explosion ripping through a railway bridge were posted on Telegram by an organisation calling itself BOAK, the Combat Organisation of Anarcho-Communists. According to Ukrainian intelligence, this was the sixth such incident this year after 40 during all of 2022, suggesting that anti-war resistance in Russia is growing bolder. Since the invasion of Ukraine in February, Russian-occupied territories there have experienced regular sabotage from the ...