Dr Mark Galeotti

Russia’s September State Duma elections are described as carefully managed to secure a United Russia victory, with the exclusion of the liberal Yabloko party demonstrating the Kremlin’s fear of a meaningful protest vote. Although the process is rigged, genuine public sentiment still matters because a large gap between official and real results could undermine the election’s legitimacy and provoke protests. The article argues that Duma deputies have little independent power and are often focused on personal wealth, luxury vehicles and eccentric initiatives, highlighting claims and behaviour by figures including Aleksey Zhuravlyov, Tatiana Butskaya, Yevgeny Fyodorov and Yeti hunter Nikolai Valuev.

Russian media and officials are cautiously assessing Andy Burnham’s rise as UK prime minister, uncertain whether his leadership signals any change in British policy toward Russia or Ukraine. While some in Moscow hope Burnham’s domestic focus and inexperience in foreign affairs could soften the UK’s stance, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov has warned expectations should remain low. Russia has already conducted actions interpreted as early tests of the new government, including naval exercises off the English coast. Russian outlets increasingly dismiss the prospect of improved relations, criticising Burnham and especially Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband. Nevertheless, some Russian analysts believe Burnham’s emphasis on Europe and potential role as a future negotiator could eventually make the UK a useful intermediary as the war turns against Russia. Despite this, the Kremlin continues to portray Britain’s political turnover as evidence of national instability while determining whether Burnham will remain in power long enough to matter.

Russia is cracking down on ageing crime bosses as the war in Ukraine destabilises long‑standing underworld structures and weakens law enforcement capacity. Disrupted smuggling routes, rising drug use among soldiers, the circulation of millions of illegal weapons and the release of criminals to fight at the front have fuelled fears of renewed violent turf wars. With the police understaffed and veteran fighters likely to return home traumatised and angry, the Kremlin is targeting formerly protected gang leaders to signal authority, but its control over the criminal landscape appears to be weakening.