Russia Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! === Independent Russian Federation === {{Main|History of Russia (1991–present)}} {{Further|Presidency of Boris Yeltsin|Russia under Vladimir Putin|Presidency of Dmitry Medvedev}} [[File:Vladimir Putin taking the Presidential Oath, 7 May 2000.jpg|thumb|right|[[Vladimir Putin]] takes the oath of office as president on his [[First inauguration of Vladimir Putin|first inauguration]], with [[Boris Yeltsin]] looking over, 2000.]] ====Transition to a market economy and political crises==== The economic and political collapse of the Soviet Union led Russia into a deep and prolonged depression. During and after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, wide-ranging reforms including [[Privatization in Russia|privatisation]] and [[free trade|market and trade liberalisation]] were undertaken, including radical changes along the lines of "[[shock therapy (economics)|shock therapy]]".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Shleifer |first1=Andrei |last2=Treisman |first2=Daniel |year=2005 |title=A Normal Country: Russia After Communism |url=https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/shleifer/files/normal_jep.pdf |journal=[[Journal of Economic Perspectives]] |volume=19 |number=1 |pages=151–174 |publisher=[[Harvard University]] |doi=10.1257/0895330053147949 |access-date=24 November 2021 |archive-date=12 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112210023/https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/shleifer/files/normal_jep.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The privatisation largely shifted control of enterprises from state agencies to individuals with inside connections in the government, which led to the rise of [[Russian oligarchs]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-02/rich-russians-the-rise-of-the-oligarchs/10626236|title=The rise of Russia's oligarchs – and their bid for legitimacy|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|first=Joey|last=Watson|date=2 January 2019|access-date=28 May 2021|archive-date=21 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321211740/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-02/rich-russians-the-rise-of-the-oligarchs/10626236|url-status=live}}</ref> Many of the newly rich moved billions in cash and assets outside of the country in an enormous [[capital flight]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Tikhomirov |first=Vladimir |title=Capital Flight from Post-Soviet Russia |journal=[[Europe-Asia Studies]] |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |volume=49 |number=4 |pages=591–615 |date=June 1997 |doi=10.1080/09668139708412462 |jstor=153715}}</ref> The depression of the economy led to the collapse of social services—the [[birth rate]] plummeted while the [[death rate]] skyrocketed,<ref>{{cite journal |last=Hollander |first=D. |title=In Post-Soviet Russia, Fertility Is on the Decline; Marriage and Childbearing are Occurring Earlier |jstor=2953371 |doi=10.2307/2953371 |pages=92–94 |volume=29 |number=2 |year=1997 |journal=Family Planning Perspectives |publisher=[[Guttmacher Institute]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chen |first1=Lincoln C. |last2=Wittgenstein |first2=Friederike |last3=McKeon |first3=Elizabeth |title=The Upsurge of Mortality in Russia: Causes and Policy Implications |jstor=2137719 |doi=10.2307/2137719 |volume=22 |number=3 |pages=517–530 |date=September 1996 |journal=[[Population and Development Review]] |publisher=[[Population Council]]}}</ref> and millions plunged into poverty;<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Klugman |first1=Jeni |last2=Braithwaite |first2=Jeanine |title=Poverty in Russia during the Transition: An Overview |jstor=3986388 |volume=13 |number=1 |pages=37–58 |date=February 1998 |journal=The World Bank Research Observer |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|doi=10.1093/wbro/13.1.37 }}</ref> while extreme corruption,<ref>{{cite journal |last=Shlapentokh |first=Vladimir |title=Corruption, the power of state and big business in Soviet and post-Soviet regimes |journal=Communist and Post-Communist Studies |jstor=48610380 |volume=46 |number=1 |date=March 2013 |pages=147–158 |publisher=[[University of California Press]] |doi=10.1016/j.postcomstud.2012.12.010}}</ref> as well as criminal gangs and organised crime rose significantly.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Frisby |first=Tanya |title=The Rise of Organised Crime in Russia: Its Roots and Social Significance |date=January 1998 |volume=50 |number=1 |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |journal=[[Europe-Asia Studies]] |pages=27–49 |doi=10.1080/09668139808412522 |jstor=153404}}</ref> In late 1993, tensions between Yeltsin and the Russian parliament culminated in [[1993 Russian constitutional crisis|a constitutional crisis]] which ended violently through military force. During the crisis, Yeltsin was backed by Western governments, and over 100 people were killed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Goncharenko |first=Roman |date=3 October 2018 |title=Russia's 1993 crisis still shaping Kremlin politics, 25 years on |work=[[DW News]] |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |url=https://www.dw.com/en/russias-1993-crisis-still-shaping-kremlin-politics-25-years-on/a-45733546 |access-date=2 February 2022 |archive-date=14 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414044222/https://www.dw.com/en/russias-1993-crisis-still-shaping-kremlin-politics-25-years-on/a-45733546 |url-status=live }}</ref> ==== Modern liberal constitution, international cooperation and economic stabilization ==== In December, a [[1993 Russian constitutional referendum|referendum]] was held and approved, which introduced a new constitution, giving the president enormous powers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-players-1993-crisis/25125000.html |title=Who Was Who? The Key Players In Russia's Dramatic October 1993 Showdown |publisher=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |date=2 October 2018 |access-date=28 May 2021 |archive-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412235932/https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-players-1993-crisis/25125000.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The 1990s were plagued by armed conflicts in the [[North Caucasus]], both local ethnic skirmishes and separatist [[Islamist]] insurrections.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Wilhelmsen |first=Julie |year=2005 |title=Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Islamisation of the Chechen Separatist Movement |journal=Europe-Asia Studies |volume=57 |number=1 |pages=35–37 |doi=10.1080/0966813052000314101 |jstor=30043851 |s2cid=153594637 |issn=0966-8136}}</ref> From the time [[Chechnya|Chechen]] separatists declared independence in the early 1990s, an [[First Chechen War|intermittent guerrilla war]] was fought between the rebel groups and Russian forces.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1995/12/12/chechen-war-reveals-weaknesses-in-yeltsin-russias-new-democracy/073047c5-d04e-41bd-a2bc-d5e8e192d919/|title=Chechen War Reveals Weakness in Yektsubm Russia's New Democracy |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|first=Lee|last=Hockstader|date=12 December 1995|access-date=6 June 2021}}</ref> [[Terrorism in Russia|Terrorist attacks against civilians]] were carried out by Chechen separatists, claiming the lives of thousands of Russian civilians.{{efn|Most notably the [[Budyonnovsk hospital hostage crisis]], the [[Russian apartment bombings]], the [[Moscow theater hostage crisis]], and the [[Beslan school siege]]}}<ref>{{cite journal |last=Sinai |first=Joshua |title=The Terrorist Threats Against Russia and its Counterterrorism Response Measures |journal=Connections |jstor=26326421 |volume=14 |number=4 |year=2015 |pages=95–102 |publisher=[[Partnership for Peace Consortium of Defense Academies and Security Studies Institutes]]|doi=10.11610/Connections.14.4.08 |doi-access=free }}</ref> After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia assumed responsibility for settling the latter's external debts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/26-years-on-russia-set-to-repay-all-soviet-unions-foreign-debt |title=26 years on, Russia set to repay all Soviet Union's foreign debt |work=[[The Straits Times]] |date=26 March 2017 |access-date=11 December 2021 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408173420/https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/26-years-on-russia-set-to-repay-all-soviet-unions-foreign-debt |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1992, most consumer price controls were eliminated, causing extreme inflation and significantly devaluing the rouble.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lipton |first1=David |last2=Sachs |first2=Jeffrey D. |last3=Mau |first3=Vladimir |last4=Phelps |first4=Edmund S. |year=1992 |title=Prospects for Russia's Economic Reforms |journal=[[Brookings Papers on Economic Activity]] |volume=1992 |issue=2 |page=213 |doi=10.2307/2534584 |issn=0007-2303 |jstor=2534584 |url=https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/1992/06/1992b_bpea_lipton_sachs_mau_phelps.pdf |access-date=24 September 2019 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925170637/https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/1992/06/1992b_bpea_lipton_sachs_mau_phelps.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> High budget deficits coupled with increasing capital flight and inability to pay back debts, caused the [[1998 Russian financial crisis]], which resulted in a further GDP decline.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chiodo |first1=Abbigail J. |last2=Owyang |first2=Michael T. |url=https://files.stlouisfed.org/files/htdocs/publications/review/02/11/ChiodoOwyang.pdf |title=A Case Study of a Currency Crisis: The Russian Default of 1998 |pages=7–18 |publisher=[[Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis]] |journal=[[Canadian Parliamentary Review]] |year=2002 |volume=86 |number=6 |access-date=11 December 2021 |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401061400/https://files.stlouisfed.org/files/htdocs/publications/review/02/11/ChiodoOwyang.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> ====Movement towards a modernized economy, political centralization and democratic backsliding==== On 31 December 1999, president Yeltsin unexpectedly resigned,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/dec/31/russia.marktran|title=Yeltsin resigns|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=31 December 1999|access-date=4 April 2023|archive-date=13 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813133147/https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/dec/31/russia.marktran|url-status=live}}</ref> handing the post to the recently appointed prime minister and his chosen successor, [[Vladimir Putin]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/01/world/yeltsin-resigns-overview-yeltsin-resigns-naming-putin-acting-president-run-march.html |title=Yeltsin Resigns: The Overview; Yeltsin Resigns, Naming Putin as Acting President To Run in March Election |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=Celestine |last=Bohlen |date=1 January 2000 |access-date=30 May 2021 |url-access=limited |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411205641/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/01/world/yeltsin-resigns-overview-yeltsin-resigns-naming-putin-acting-president-run-march.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Putin then won the [[2000 Russian presidential election|2000 presidential election]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/27/world/election-russia-overview-putin-wins-russia-vote-first-round-but-his-majority.html |title=Election in Russia: The Overview; Putin Wins Russia Vote in First Round, But His Majority Is Less Than Expected |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=Mark |last=Wines |date=27 March 2000 |access-date=30 May 2021 |url-access=limited |archive-date=15 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715224429/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/27/world/election-russia-overview-putin-wins-russia-vote-first-round-but-his-majority.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and defeated the Chechen insurgency in the [[Second Chechen War]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=O'Loughlin |first1=John |last2=W. Witmer |first2=Frank D. |title=The Localized Geographies of Violence in the North Caucasus of Russia, 1999–2007 |jstor=27980166 |volume=101 |number=1 |date=January 2011 |journal=[[Annals of the Association of American Geographers]] |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |pages=178–201|doi=10.1080/00045608.2010.534713 |s2cid=52248942 }}</ref> Putin won a [[2004 Russian presidential election|second presidential term]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/15/world/as-expected-putin-easily-wins-a-second-term-in-russia.html |title=As Expected, Putin Easily Wins a Second Term in Russia |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=Seth |last=Mydans |date=15 March 2004 |access-date=30 May 2021 |url-access=limited |archive-date=17 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817223858/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/15/world/as-expected-putin-easily-wins-a-second-term-in-russia.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Price of petroleum|High oil prices]] and a rise in foreign investment saw the [[Russian economy]] and living standards improve significantly.<ref name="Ellyatt-2021">{{cite web |last=Ellyatt |first=Holly |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/11/russias-economy-under-president-putin-in-charts.html |title=5 charts show Russia's economic highs and lows under Putin |date=11 October 2021 |access-date=19 January 2022 |work=[[CNBC]] |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408173641/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/11/russias-economy-under-president-putin-in-charts.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Putin's rule increased stability, while transforming Russia into an [[Authoritarianism#Examples|authoritarian state]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Kotkin |first=Stephen |title=The Resistible Rise of Vladimir Putin: Russia's Nightmare Dressed Like a Daydream |jstor=24483492 |volume=94 |number=2 |date=2015 |journal=[[Foreign Affairs]] |publisher=[[Council on Foreign Relations]] |pages=140–153}}</ref> In 2008, Putin took the post of prime minister, while [[Dmitry Medvedev]] was [[2008 Russian presidential election|elected president]] for one term, to hold onto power despite legal [[term limit]]s;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/may/08/russia |title=Putin ever present as Medvedev becomes president |work=[[The Guardian]] |first=Luke |last=Harding |date=8 May 2008 |access-date=6 June 2021 |archive-date=21 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321211752/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/may/08/russia |url-status=live }}</ref> this period has been described as a "[[Medvedev–Putin tandemocracy|tandemocracy]]".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Monaghan|first=Andrew|title=The vertikal: power and authority in Russia|volume=88|number=1|date=January 2012|pages=1–16|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|journal=[[International Affairs (journal)|International Affairs]]|doi=10.1111/j.1468-2346.2012.01053.x |jstor=41428537}}</ref> [[File:Annexation of Southern and Eastern Ukraine.svg|thumb|[[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine]] as of 30 September 2022 at the time their [[Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts|annexation was declared]]]] Following a [[2008 Russo-Georgian diplomatic crisis|diplomatic crisis]] with neighbouring [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], the [[Russo-Georgian War]] took place during 1–12 August 2008, resulting in Russia recognising two separatist states in the territories that it [[occupied territories of Georgia|occupies in Georgia]].<ref>{{cite book | last1=Harzl | first1=B.C. | last2=Petrov | first2=R. | title=Unrecognized Entities: Perspectives in International, European and Constitutional Law | publisher=Brill | series=Law in Eastern Europe | year=2021 | isbn=978-90-04-49910-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ECBXEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA246 | access-date=18 December 2022 | page=246 | archive-date=25 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225095408/https://books.google.com/books?id=ECBXEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA246 | url-status=live }}</ref> It was the first [[List of conflicts in Europe|European war]] of the 21st century.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Emerson |first=Michael |date=August 2008 |title=Post-Mortem on Europe's First War of the 21st Century |url=http://aei.pitt.edu/9382/2/9382.pdf |magazine=CEPS Policy Brief |number=167 |publisher=[[Centre for European Policy Studies]] |access-date=6 April 2022 |doi=10.2139/ssrn.1333553 |s2cid=127834430 |ssrn=1333553 |archive-date=7 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207214701/http://aei.pitt.edu/9382/2/9382.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> ====Invasion of Ukraine==== In early 2014, following [[Revolution of Dignity|a revolution]] in Ukraine, Russia [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|occupied and annexed]] Crimea from neighbouring Ukraine following a [[2014 Crimean status referendum|disputed referendum]],<ref>{{cite book |last=Yekelchyk |first=Serhy |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1190722543 |title=Ukraine: What Everyone Needs to Know |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2020 |isbn=978-0-19-753213-3 |edition=2nd |location=New York |page=117 |oclc=1190722543}}</ref> then used Russian mercenaries and military forces, supported by local separatist militias, to start a [[War in Donbas|war in the Donbas region]] of eastern Ukraine where most of the inhabitants wanted to stay in Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Plokhy |first=Serhii |title=The Russo-Ukrainian war: the return of history |date=2023 |publisher=WW Norton |isbn=978-1-324-05119-0 |location=New York, NY |pages=123–26}}</ref> In a major escalation of the conflict, Russia launched a full-scale [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion of Ukraine]] on 24 February 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/24/putin-orders-military-operations-in-eastern-ukraine-as-un-meets|title=Russian forces launch full-scale invasion of Ukraine|publisher=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]]|date=24 February 2022|access-date=5 April 2022|archive-date=24 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224053027/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/24/putin-orders-military-operations-in-eastern-ukraine-as-un-meets|url-status=live}}</ref> The invasion marked the largest [[conventional warfare|conventional war]] in Europe since World War II,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Herb |first1=Jeremy |last2=Starr |first2=Barbara |author-link2=Barbara Starr |last3=Kaufman |first3=Ellie |date=24 February 2022 |title=US orders 7,000 more troops to Europe following Russia's invasion of Ukraine |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/24/politics/us-military-ukraine-russia/index.html |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227052443/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/24/politics/us-military-ukraine-russia/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and was met with [[Reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|international condemnation]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/02/united-nations-russia-ukraine-vote|title=UN votes to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine and calls for withdrawal|work=[[The Guardian]]|last=Borger|first=Julian|location=[[Washington, D.C.]]|date=2 March 2022|access-date=5 April 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302171009/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/02/united-nations-russia-ukraine-vote|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as [[International sanctions during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|expanded sanctions]] against Russia.<ref name="Walsh-2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/22968949/russia-sanctions-swift-economy-mcdonalds|title=The unprecedented American sanctions on Russia, explained|work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|date=9 March 2022|last=Walsh|first=Ben|access-date=31 March 2022|archive-date=11 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411000846/https://www.vox.com/22968949/russia-sanctions-swift-economy-mcdonalds|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result, Russia was expelled from the [[Council of Europe]] in March,<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/the-russian-federation-is-excluded-from-the-council-of-europe |title=The Russian Federation is excluded from the Council of Europe |publisher=Council of Europe |date=16 March 2022 |access-date=5 May 2022 |archive-date=10 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510214508/https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/the-russian-federation-is-excluded-from-the-council-of-europe |url-status=live }}</ref> and was suspended from the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] in April.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/04/1115782 |title=UN General Assembly votes to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council |website=United Nations |date=7 April 2022 |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407164712/https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/04/1115782 |url-status=live }}</ref> In September, following successful Ukrainian counteroffensives,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/putin-announces-partial-mobilization-russian-military-ukraine-war-rcna48585|title=Putin mobilizes more troops for Ukraine, threatens nuclear retaliation and backs annexation of Russian-occupied land|website=[[NBC News]]|date=21 September 2022|access-date=4 April 2023|archive-date=12 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312142451/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/putin-announces-partial-mobilization-russian-military-ukraine-war-rcna48585|url-status=live}}</ref> Putin announced a "[[2022 Russian mobilization|partial mobilisation]]", Russia's first mobilisation since World War II.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/21/putin-announces-partial-mobilisation-in-russia-in-escalation-of-ukraine-war|title=Putin announces partial mobilisation and threatens nuclear retaliation in escalation of Ukraine war|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=21 September 2022|access-date=4 April 2023|archive-date=14 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114202406/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/21/putin-announces-partial-mobilisation-in-russia-in-escalation-of-ukraine-war|url-status=live}}</ref> By the end of September, Putin proclaimed the [[Annexation of southeastern Ukraine by the Russian Federation|annexation of four Ukrainian regions]], the largest annexation in Europe since World War II.<ref name="Landay-2022">{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-host-kremlin-ceremony-annexing-parts-ukraine-2022-09-29/ |title=Defiant Putin proclaims Ukrainian annexation as military setback looms |website=[[Reuters]] |date=30 September 2022 |access-date=6 October 2022 |last=Landay |first=Jonathan |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006084106/https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-host-kremlin-ceremony-annexing-parts-ukraine-2022-09-29/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Putin and Russian-installed leaders signed treaties of accession, internationally unrecognized and widely [[United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/4|denounced as illegal]], despite the fact that Russian forces have been unable to fully occupy any of the four regions.<ref name="Landay-2022" /> A number of supranational and national parliaments passed resolutions declaring Russia to be a [[state sponsor of terrorism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/european-lawmakers-declare-russia-state-sponsor-terrorism-2022-11-23/|title=European Parliament declares Russia a state sponsor of terrorism|website=[[Reuters]]|date=23 November 2022|access-date=4 April 2023|archive-date=23 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123121114/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/european-lawmakers-declare-russia-state-sponsor-terrorism-2022-11-23/|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, Russia was declared a terrorist state by Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.<ref>{{cite web | last=Fiedler | first=Tristan | title=Estonian parliament declares Russia a terrorist state | website=POLITICO | date=18 October 2022 | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/as-the-third-country-to-estonia-declares-russia-a-terrorist-state/ | access-date=1 June 2023 | archive-date=19 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119101230/https://www.politico.eu/article/as-the-third-country-to-estonia-declares-russia-a-terrorist-state/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Hundreds of thousands are [[Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War|estimated to have been killed]] as a result of the invasion.<ref>{{cite news |title='Terrible toll': Russia's invasion of Ukraine in numbers |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/terrible-toll-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-in-numbers/ |work=[[Euractiv]] |date=14 February 2023 |access-date=12 March 2023 |archive-date=12 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712061818/https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/terrible-toll-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-in-numbers/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hussain |first1=Murtaza |title=The War in Ukraine Is Just Getting Started |url=https://theintercept.com/2023/03/09/ukraine-war-russia-iran-iraq/ |work=The Intercept |date=9 March 2023 |access-date=12 March 2023 |archive-date=18 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518234805/https://theintercept.com/2023/03/09/ukraine-war-russia-iran-iraq/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Troop Deaths and Injuries in Ukraine War Near 500,000, U.S. Officials Say |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/18/us/politics/ukraine-russia-war-casualties.html |work=The New York Times |date=18 August 2023 |access-date=30 August 2023 |archive-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903175102/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/18/us/politics/ukraine-russia-war-casualties.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The war in Ukraine has further exacerbated Russia's [[Demographic crisis of Russia|demographic crisis]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin's War Escalation Is Hastening Demographic Crash for Russia |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-18/putin-s-war-escalation-is-hastening-demographic-crash-for-russia |work=Bloomberg |date=18 October 2022 |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-date=22 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122045038/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-18/putin-s-war-escalation-is-hastening-demographic-crash-for-russia |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2023, the [[Wagner Group]], a private military contractor fighting for Russia in Ukraine, declared an [[Wagner Group rebellion|open rebellion against the Russian Ministry of Defense]], capturing [[Rostov-on-Don]], before beginning a march on Moscow. However, after negotiations between Wagner and the Belarusian government, the rebellion was called off.<ref>{{cite web | title=Armed rebellion by Wagner chief Prigozhin underscores erosion of Russian legal system | website=AP News | date=7 July 2023 | url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-prigozhin-wagner-mutiny-ukraine-putin-898d750e843aeb105a3c220bb917f606 | access-date=9 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Rebel Russian mercenaries turn back short of Moscow 'to avoid bloodshed' | website=Reuters | date=24 June 2023 | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/wagner-head-suggests-his-mercenaries-headed-moscow-take-army-leadership-2023-06-24/ | access-date=9 July 2023 | archive-date=24 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624070212/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/wagner-head-suggests-his-mercenaries-headed-moscow-take-army-leadership-2023-06-24/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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