Putin should be afraid of people, younger than himself, who will write about him after he passes, and will shape his face in history. The face that will not be liked or respected.

The new spy story perhaps won't effect anything in a long run but in my opinion makes Russia look pretty rediculous. Certainly there is no glory for Russia in this story. Russia is so afraid of looking idiotic but that's exactly what it's doing right now.

Natalia Pelevine Belgacom

Big Russian Smiles

To be fair, Dmitry Medvedev did exude a fair amount of charm on his US trip, perhaps the kind of charm we haven't seen before. My personal feeling is that it comes from his sincere sympathy for the US and President Obama. However, I hope the White House realizes that Medvedev's personal feelings will not be reflected in the Russian policies towards the US. Especially when Putin is formally back in Kremlin, which looks increasingly inevitable. The reality is this: If Russian rulers will have 5 rubles in front of them and a choice to spend it on feeding their own people or fighting the outside enemy (very likely, artificially created), they will always choose the latter.

DN! Alarming Rise in Murders, Threats Against Critics of Government Abus...

Catching up on films:

2012-Is like biting into a plastic burger
Sex and the City 2-A gigantic commercial for Abu Dhabi

Number 1

For the first time in years Russian intellegensia has to stood up to the country's de facto number 1 Vladimir Putin. During a charity event in support of the children cancer foundation that took place in Putin's native Saint Petersburg a number of famous actors and musicians not only looked grim, sitting at the table with the PM, but did the unthinkable- spoke out. Musicians Yuri Shevchyk for a few minutes talked about the terrifying state that the country is in, the lack of basic freedoms and independent media, and asked if the opposition demonstration, planned for the 31st of May, will once again be repressed. The demonstration was organised to bring attention to article 31 of the Russian constitution which stands for the human rights, freedom of speech and expression. Putin, barely able to cover his contempt, responded with a number of ridiculous statements, abruptly cutting Yuri off every time he tried to say something. 'If people go on the demonstrations not for their own PR but to point out our sore problems, i welcome that' Putin said. At the end Yuri, very smartly, asked if he can say a toast in which he proposed to drink to the children and their future in a country that will be free and a country of goodness, kindness and light ,and not the country we live in today. Putin, noticing that the glasses are filled with water, said that the drink in front of us is the same as the toast that was said. He hated that conversation and it was visible.
During today's demonstration people were beaten and over a hundred were arrested.

Conclusions to date:
Putin is the country's number 1. As well as a monster.
Intellegensia has finally reached the boiling point.
Opposition will continue to be prosecuted.
Every time someone speaks out publicly on the true state of Russia, it is shocking.
Government controlled channels showed their own edited version of this conversation.

My personal belief is that the government does not believe the opposition can truly make people rise against the current state of things, because the Russian people are once again in a state of numbness and passive indifference.

A whole year without Oleg...

Time heals nothing.

Открытое обращение Союза жителей Кузбасса к Президенту, народу России и жителям Кузбасса

Открытое обращение Союза жителей Кузбасса к Президенту, народу России и жителям Кузбасса

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9th of May, 65 years on

At an event at the UN few weeks back i met this charming man Vladimir Edelman, who is a Vice President of the American Association of WW2 veterans. During the war he was a soldier of the Soviet Army and survived some of the most brutal battles near Moscow. When we met he was wearing his Soviet Army uniform, his chest on both sides covered in medals. There are also 2 red and 3 yellow stripes sewn on, which stand for 3 serious and 2 minor wounds. At his insistence we left the event together, I am more than happy to oblige this charismatic and fascinating man. As we walked down the 34th street a number of men, including some security guards, saluted Vladimir. Many stopped to take a closer look. He, so full of grace and dignity, simply smiled back. I was extremely proud to be walking to be walking in Central Manhattan with this man.

My sad thought is that today's Russia, the corrupt, vulgur, heartless place, is not worthy of the sacrifices made by the people in the Second World War.

Many have since said that it is surprising this article was published.

I do live with much pain and the sorrow of the injustices and the losses. Yet trying not to become bitter, angry or cynical. When a friend recently said i am an idealist I was actually glad. Because it is a constant struggle to preserve some light and purity in all that's happening.

With Ari Kogan, a young, up and coming politician, at the UN.

The crisis is over between Andrei and I think we both know we cannot allow people's attacks throw us off track. We now need to have stronger resolve than ever. We must fight. and we need each other for that.

IPad, ebooks, the net, are we losing the newspapers and books?...

My friends called me from Moscow-there is a lot of panic and fear. Terrible....

Here Doky Umarov, rebel's leader FULLY and in detail takes responsibility for the attacks, threatening with more.

Here someone claiming to be from the rebels side, denying involvement in the metro bombings

System retaliates

After the piece in US published Novoye Russkoe Slovo Andrei has been harrased in jail and i am still waiting for details. Very nervous. There were some basic truths there about the system, no revealing 'state secrets', yet this is what we get...
HE IS BEING PUNISHED FOR WHAT HE HAD NO CONTROL OVER!