Russia. A History

Pro-business tax reform, as corporate tax is reduced (January); two parties, Unity and Fatherland-All Russia, merge to form ‘United Russia’ as pro-government, ruling party in Duma; Putin-Bush sign nuclear arms deal, reducing nuclear arsenals by two-thirds (24 May); USA recognizes RF as having market economy (June); Russia becomes full-fledged member of the G-8 (July); adoption of new Criminal Procedural Code, which bestows significant new rights on the accused and the defence, and transfers power from the procuracy to judges (July); Chechen terrorists seize Moscow theatre, Nordost, taking 800 hostages; most rebels and 129 hostages are killed when special forces storm the building (October); Russia removed from the OECD blacklist of countries that launder illicit funds (November)

2003

Chechnya referendum, denounced by human rights organizations, affirms that Chechnya will remain part of the Russian Federation (March); the government closes TVS, the only national television station not controlled by the state (June); Kyrgyzstan grants Russia a military base at Kant, giving parity with the United States’ base at Manas (September); oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovskii arrested for fraud, tax evasion, and other offences (October); pro-government party United Russia wins Duma elections and, with allies, holds two-thirds of seats (7 December)

2004

Establishment of Stabilization Fund to create reserves and the capacity to counteract short-term fluctuations in global commodity markets (1 January); Putin wins presidential election with 71% (14 March); pro-Russian president of Chechnya, Akhmad Kadyrov, assassinated in Groznyi (May); Chechen terrorists down two passenger liners, almost simultaneously (August); Beslan tragedy, as Chechen terrorists seize 1,347 hostages and special forces intercede, ultimately with at least 330 hostages (including 186 children) being slain under murky circumstances (1–3 September); the government seizes assets of Yuganskneftegaz, main asset of Khodorkovskii’s Yukos, to cover its tax arrears (August); Putin, citing needs for heightened security, announces new measures to bolster capacity of effective state rule, including presidential appointment of governors in lieu of popular election (13 September); a new process for the selection of governors (presidential nomination, confirmation by regional legislature); revised Law on Parties imposes further restrictions on small parties (October); federal law authorizing the president to nominate governors is adopted (12 November); Russia ratifies Kyoto Protocol, providing the requisite number of signatories for Kyoto to take effect (4 November)

2005

New system to monetize welfare payments leads to mass protests (January); Moscow agrees to supply fuel for Iran’s Beshehr nuclear facility (February); Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov killed by Russian special forces (March); ‘Public Chamber’, as para-legislative collective ombudsman, created by Duma (March) and signed into law by Putin (April); adoption of new electoral law establishing proportionate representation and abolishing single-mandate districts (18 May); trial concluded for Mikhail Khodorkovskii, who is found guilty of tax evasion and fraud and sentenced to nine years incarceration (31 May); Gazprom acquires Izvestiia from Vladimir Potanin as government strengthens its control over media (June); SCO calls for withdrawal of US from military bases and to withdraw forces from Central Asia (July); Russia and Germany sign agreement to construct gas pipeline under Baltic Sea (September); terrorists attack police and other targets in Nal’chik (October); ‘Russia Today’ as English-language TV programme commences operation (December); adoption of Law on NGO registration (23 December), which takes effect 10 April 2006.

2006

Russia cuts delivery of natural gas to Ukraine in dispute over prices, with immediate impact on transit deliveries to Europe (January); Russia surpasses Saudi Arabia in oil output (June); Putin dismisses procurator-general and intensifies campaign against corruption (June); Chechen insurrectionary leader Musa Sadaev killed (17 June); Russian special forces kill Shamil Basaev, infamous Chechen warlord who claimed responsibility for multiple terrorist acts (10 July); rouble becomes convertible currency (July); Russia hosts G8 summit in St Petersburg (July); Duma unanimously endorse government request for permission to send special forces anywhere in the world to track down terrorists (July); investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaia murdered (7 October); Russia and USA agree on terms for Russian accession to the World Trade Organization (November); former KGB officer Aleksandr Litvinenko dies from radioactive substance, allegedly at the hands of Russian security organs (23 November)

2007