Who is next? Persecution of governors in Russia
On 7 July 2025, former governor of the Kursk region Roman Starovoit was found dead in an apparent suicide, according to investigators.
During Vladimir Putin’s 25-year rule, 32 Russian governors have faced prosecution.
This article explores how the Kremlin’s approach to prosecuting regional elites — both allies and critics — has evolved over Putin's time in power.
Is Siberia retaining its autonomy? Municipal reform and unexpected protests
In spring 2025, Vladimir Putin signed a new law on local self-government.
The reform unexpectedly triggered backlash from regional leaders, deputies, and citizens — especially in Siberia and the Far East — that culminated in a mass rally in Gorno-Altaysk.
REM examines the evolution of local self-government in Russia and explores why seemingly formal administrative changes have sparked such resistance.
Read more … Is Siberia retaining its autonomy? Municipal reform and unexpected protests
Election watchdog ‘Golos’ announced shutdown. Is this the end of independent monitoring?
The announcement was made on 8 July, shortly after Golos co-chair Grigory Melkonyants had been sentenced to five years in prison.
Following this, Golos shuttered regional offices and suspended all ongoing projects.
Read more … Election watchdog ‘Golos’ announced shutdown. Is this the end of independent monitoring?
Election update XII
United Russia primaries mark the beginning of a major electoral cycle that will culminate in the 2026 State Duma elections.
Read more about this in our digest of the main electoral developments in April–May 2025.
Why is Russian government still afraid of elections?
Ahead of 2026 parliamentary elections, Russian authorities are redrawing constituency boundaries.
It seems that after 25 years of undermining the electoral process, the Kremlin should not be concerned about the outcome, yet it is.
Redistricting is part of a broader strategy to manipulate elections, along with other tactics. This article explores how Kremlin has refined these tactics over the years and why they do not always succeed.
Read more … Why is Russian government still afraid of elections?
The verdict on local self-government will be carried out by governors
A new law on local self-government took effect in Russia, significantly altering the structure of local governance.
Originally designed to eliminate the two-tier system, the final version of the law made some concessions, but the end of local self-government as it was known seems inevitable.
Andrey Pertsev analyzes the reform’s early impact.
Read more … The verdict on local self-government will be carried out by governors