Russia

Rumours are spreading in Russia about a possible transition of power in Grozny. Ramzan Kadyrov would like to impose one of his children as his successor, but the age limit for the presidency is 30, with his eldest daughter being 27 and his eldest son only 20. Among the other candidates in the background is 52-year-old General Apti Alaudinov, commander of the Akhmat brigade and well connected in Moscow's upper echelons

The story of the Sibir.Realii website on the battles of Aleksandr Sosnov and Albina Fateeva against the unbridled exploitation of natural resources and the business dealings of the oligarchs. Initiatives for which they had to endure visits from the FSB special services and other threats. Until they decided to emigrate to Armenia to protect their 15-year-old son.

Putin's ideologues preach that the original principles of civilisation and traditional values alone can effectively edify the country's future. Meanwhile, Patriarch Kirill argues that it is necessary to strengthen “not only state sovereignty, but also spiritual sovereignty”. To make Russia “a universal ark of salvation” for all.

Just as Modi discusses tariffs and oil purchases with Trump, the Valdai Club conference between Russia and India was held in the Indian capital to take stock of relations. Putin's men are focusing on long-standing relations with Delhi, calling for alliances with BRICS countries to be prioritised today.

Among the 15 delegates of Russian democratic forces abroad with whom the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has begun working are representatives of peoples such as the Udege, Buryats, Izorians and Komi. They say: ‘For many Europeans, it is shocking to learn that not everyone in Russia speaks Russian as their native language.’

Russian political scientist and ultra-Putinist Gleb Kuznetsov published an article in the magazine Gosudarstvo (The State) where he explicitly states that “the separation of powers, competitive elections, and freedom of speech prevent the state from functioning effectively.” He points to the example of Shenzhen, “one of the most controlled cities in the world” as a model.

In Majluu-Suu, the historic factory that symbolised the electrification of the Soviet Union promoted by Vladimir Ilič is on the verge of closing down for good. Incandescent light bulbs, once exported abroad, have now been replaced by LED bulbs produced in China. The Kyrgyz authorities are seeking to convert the factories, but almost 60% of the city's inhabitants have now emigrated in search of work.

According to Dugin and Soloviev, the former Soviet republics ‘have no right to independence’ and must reunite with Russia to avoid becoming slaves to China, America or Europe. Local governments have issued only feeble protests, invoking the ‘spirit of strategic partnership’. The suspicion that the two propagandists are saying ‘what the Russian leadership does not want to express openly, but which in reality corresponds to its plans’

The poet and translator Irina Jurčuk, a native of the city of Kharkov on the border between the two countries, the epicentre of the ongoing conflict, has published her book ‘The Overpass’ in Kiev, an anthology in which she combines texts by contemporary Russian and Ukrainian authors with translations and her own bilingual rhymes. It is a way to rediscover one's true identity, without being destroyed by abuse and claims.

The Vietnamese leader pledged support for joint efforts to bring peace to Gaza. He promised to work closely with his country’s former enemy in various areas in line with both sides' needs and priorities. Among Central Asian countries, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have joined the new body.

As was the case with the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, Moscow is not going beyond statements of circumstance on what is happening in Venezuela and Iran, two historic allies. The Kremlin's criticism is now directed almost exclusively at Europe and NATO, without involving Washington's responsibilities to any great extent.

From Kabardino-Balkaria to Chechnya, new attacks by individuals or Islamist groups have been reported in recent months. But there is also controversy over the methods of repression, with the use of torture and the data itself, which some believe has been exaggerated to replicate the sense of insecurity that led to Putin's rise. Meanwhile, it is precisely war and economic instability that fuel radicalism.