Russia: Security Forces Violently Disperse Protest In Ingushetia

RFE/RL's Russian Service reported that the violence began after about 1,000 demonstrators tried to gather in a central square in Ingushetia's capital, Nazran, but heavily armed riot police blocked streets leading to the square.

Protesters then began throwing rocks and incendiary devices at the police, who fired shots into the air before moving into the crowd. Police and paramilitary forces then chased protesters through the center of Nazran.

RFE/RL's Danila Galperovich, who was on the scene, said that "local police special forces were attacked by demonstrators with stones and Molotov cocktails. Special forces responded with heavy force, using tear gas and hand guns."

Later, he and other journalists with independent media, as well human rights activists, were detained by police. The others detained included "Novaya gazeta" correspondent Olga Bobrova, Ekho Moskvy radio correspondents Vladimir Varfolomeyev and Roman Plusov, and two activists from the Russian human rights
group Memorial, Yekaterina Sokiriaskaya and Timur Akiyev.

Click here

People in Russia are not happy with the way things are being run. As a result of this unhappiness they are beginning to take a stand. From this article we see how Russia quickly and forcefully strike down any form of rebellion. Could another revolution be on the horizon?

Russian Navy Fired Missiles Off of French Coast

A Russian military official has said that "two Tu-160 bombers tested the missiles in neutral waters in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of France and Spain on Tuesday." Recently, the Russian military has resumed many patrols and practices that were suspended after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It "was revived last August as part of a more assertive foreign policy pursued by President Vladimir Putin."

"Military analysts say Russia's boosted military presence is largely symbolic. Higher oil prices have enabled Russia to re-invest in its armed forces but its military capabilities remain far below what they were during the Soviet era, correspondents say. "

To read the full story, click here.

This increase in military presence, while being completely neutral, may either aid foriegn opinion or further hurt the international views towards the Russian Navy, which currently suffers from "accidents such as the sinking of the Kursk nuclear submarine in 2000." Between this and suspending the CFE, Russia is pushing the limits in the break of policies created at the end of the Cold War, and it will prove interesting to see how international organizations like the UN will react.


Grade this post.