More Bad News for Russia

[AkMike]

All that I've seen are LH drive even an older Jag sedan.

 Normally RH cars are in England of former British colonies. There are probably a few older imports that are RH, but IIRC UA at least stopped the importation of RH cars several years ago.

[mendeleyev]

Most are LH, but there are imports with RH.

[Brasscasing]

Most are LH, but there are imports with RH.

Thanks Mike and Mendy.

From Sputnik...

"Russian TV Channel Publishes Video Showing Possible Killers of Nemtsov

Police have found a white LADA Priora car that could be used by the murderers of politician Boris Nemtsov. The vehilce's registration number originates from Russia's southern Republic of Ingushetia."...

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/russia/20150228/1018881337.html#ixzz3T4wsGqdS

Has Putin had any trouble with Ingushetia lately (or Nemtsov for that matter)?

My interest in the steering column was that if it was a left side steering car (which a Lada Priora is) it probably wasn't a single shooter on the bridge. Sputnik is reporting gunmen vice gunman so that's consistent at least.

Brass

[mendeleyev]

Brass

Has Putin had any trouble with Ingushetia lately (or Nemtsov for that matter)?

Ongoing for Putin and Ingushetia.

[lordtiberius]

Brass

Ongoing for Putin and Ingushetia.

More plausible deniability of the Kremlin

[AC]

AC
That could have very well been the case. I did not see the photo, although he and I followed each other on Twitter.

I just have to wonder who would benefit most about posting it in the first place?

Then, who would benefit most by removing it?

When was it removed, in relation to the timeline of his murder?

These are very good questions.  I saw the photo on his twitter page last night and made a post about it.  Took a look again and the photo (which was in the bottom right corner of a group of 4 images) was gone.  In the top left corner of the group of images was a joke with Nuland saying:  come to the dark side, and we'll give you cookies.  I don't remember the other two images.

I first saw it after reading about his death.  I'm not sure what time it was but I believe it was about 11:20pm Pacific Coast time (USA) last night.  When I looked again about 15 minutes later the images were gone.  In both cases it was after his death.  However I don't know if the image had been up prior to his death, but I believe it was.  I think somebody removed it because it might make him look bad.

[Brasscasing]

Brass

Ongoing for Putin and Ingushetia.

More plausible deniability of the Kremlin

I think this is where it's going to go. Remove Nemtsov and blame some hapless militants in a minor republic who probably never even had him on their radar.

I'm waiting for Putin's (he's apparently taken oversight of the investigation) spin on this, it's gonna be a good one.

Brass

[AkMike]

Lithuania and Poland are building more re-gasification plants to remove an unstable or threatened supply from Russia and bring it in from the US or the ME.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0228/683563-lithuania-united-states-natural-gas/

[Brasscasing]

Great news! Finally, a country willing to assist with real aid.

Putin will be displeased. I wonder how long it'll take for Merkel and Hollande to book their flights to Abu Dhabi...

More from the WSJ...

Ukraine to Buy ‘Defensive’ Weapons in U.A.E., President Says

http://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-president-meets-u-a-e-officials-to-secure-weapons-purchase-1424788248

You know, I'm starting to get a little pee'd off with this 'yes, no, maybe'
crap. I must have missed the frumpy frau's trip to Abu Dhabi earlier this week.

Maybe Obama got on the horn and issued a warning he would actually keep because it's not Russia. Or Hollande contacted the seven emirates and told them no more arms deals for you if you piss off my boss Vlad.

U.A.E. Won’t Supply Weapons to Ukraine

http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-a-e-wont-supply-weapons-to-ukraine-1425123342

Sad state of affairs.

Brass

Edit: Oh look, now this article from 4 hours ago reports the deal's apparently on again...

Ukraine Cuts Deals While Waiting for the US

defencenews.com

[lordtiberius]

Hope & change

[AkMike]

Average Cost of Bribe in Russia Spiked in 2014 Amid Ruble Crisis

The average cost of a bribe in Moscow rose 37 percent last year to hit 327,000 rubles ($5,250), according to Moscow police chief Anatoly Yakunin, news agency Interfax reported on Wednesday.

The typical cost of a bribe in Russia's regions, which are far poorer than Moscow, stood at 139,000 rubles ($2,230) said Yakunin, citing a recent study completed by Moscow's police.

Corruption overall cost Russia's budget about 47 billion rubles ($762 million) last year, he added.

Speaking to newspaper Kommersant on Wednesday, Yakunin said that the steep rise in bribery rates was tied the ruble's volatility, as most bribes are paid in U.S. dollars and euros.

 The ruble has fallen over 40 percent to the greenback since last summer and over 30 percent to the euro, weighed down by Western sanctions and the falling price of oil.

The average price of bribes far outpaced the average salary for a Moscow resident, which is 50,000 rubles ($800) a month
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/average-cost-of-bribe-in-russia-spiked-in-2014-amid-ruble-crisis/516536.html

[lordtiberius]

Real inflation in Ukraine is 300%

[Photo Guy]

What do Russian citizens think about corruption and bribery? Do they just accept it as 'normal'? Why do Russians have such low standards for themselves? It's sad. It's also sad that they cannot elect better leaders...

[jone]

What do Russian citizens think about corruption and bribery? Do they just accept it as 'normal'? Why do Russians have such low standards for themselves? It's sad. It's also sad that they cannot elect better leaders...

Russians think a lot about 'Security' from their government.  They want things to remain stable and not directly interfere with their lives. In the current atmosphere, there is both pride and rejection.  I talk to my Russian friends almost every day.  Mostly, when one brings up politics or government, the subject is quickly changed.  Even over a good bottle of the local soy sauce, in the home or banya, the only direct response you get is that it is what it is. 

You all have to remember that Moscow is a far away place for most of Russia and the national politics are seen as a futbol game.  Putin plays for the home team.

[lordtiberius]

Yeah, the Nemtsov murder makes Russia very stable.

[Faux Pas]

The Russians in general are just like Americans, Brits and every other person on earth. They want security and stability. The difference in Russians and the Westerners is, Westerners can bitch about it and kind of sort'a be heard. In Russia it can still cost you your life. Nemtov's murder is just more proof of that

[mendeleyev]

Thousands of years under Tsars, the almost 80 under Soviet dictators. The only concept of freedom they have came in the "wild west" 90s when Oligarchs and politicians robbed anything of value, pensioners starved, the currency plunged overnight, and working people were months without paychecks and when paid finally were given vodka and cigarettes in lieu of currency.

Thus, their brief experience with "democracy" was not only short-lived, but very traumatic. Thus they value stability over what they perceive as the only alternative.

[Brasscasing]

Two Russian Beverage Plants Close

..."PepsiCo, Coca-Cola Hellenic shift production, citing ruble and Russian economy

PepsiCo  Inc. and  Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling  Co. AG are closing one plant each in Russia, citing a plunge in the value of the Russian ruble and an unfavorable economic situation.

The two are the latest food and drink companies to cut production in Russia as the country slides into recession. In January, Danish brewer  Carlsberg  A/S said it would be closing two plants in Russia, and  Danone  Russia said it would consider closing some of its dairy plants should the economic situation worsen."...

http://www.wsj.com/articles/pepsico-coca-cola-hellenic-to-close-russia-plants-1425330133

Brass

[lordtiberius]

Thousands of years under Tsars, the almost 80 under Soviet dictators.

300 years of Romanovs, not thousands.  And not all the Romanovs were Ivan the Terrible.

Alexander II went around Petersburg with fear in his eyes (but, incidentally, without a bodyguard), "like a hunted animal" (according to Tolstoi, who, met the Tsar on the staircase of a private house).

- Aleksandr l Solzhenitsyn

Comparing the Soviets to the Tsars is unfair and inaccurate.  The Soviets are a level of evil comparable to other Socialist regimes like Nazi germany but even then they are in a class all on their own.

[AkMike]

Russians' Average Monthly Salary Falls to $500 as Food Prices Skyrocket
By Peter Spinella
Mar. 03 2015 20:54
Last edited 20:54


Amid soaring inflation, the average monthly salary across Russia shrank to 31,200 rubles ($500) in January, Gazeta.ru reported Tuesday citing the Economic Development Ministry.

The current average represents an 8 percent decrease from the same month last year in ruble terms, and a nearly 50 percent plunge in dollar terms as a result of a severe economic downturn that has rapidly devalued Russia's national currency.

Spending on food is expected to account for 50 to 55 percent of household income by the end of this year, business newspaper Vedomosti reported Monday. Food prices surged 22 percent in February alone, though that figure is expected to stabilize in coming months, Vedomosti said, citing VTB analysts.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russians-average-salary-falls-to-500-as-food-prices-skyrocket/516947.html

Russia Is World's 7th Most Miserable Economy
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russia-is-world-s-7th-most-miserable-economy/516925.html

Russian Billionaires Slip Down Forbes Rich List
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russian-billionaires-slip-down-forbes-rich-list/516927.html

Russian Rainy-Day Reserves Fall as Economic Crisis Squeezes Budget
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russian-rainy-day-reserves-fall-as-economic-crisis-squeezes-budget/516949.html

Russian Oil Output Will Dwindle Under Sanctions and Low Prices – LUKoil Executive
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russian-oil-output-will-dwindle-under-sanctions-and-low-prices-lukoil-executive/516935.html

[mendeleyev]

LT:

300 years of Romanovs, not thousands.  And not all the Romanovs were Ivan the Terrible.

You are correct. I just lumped Tsars with feudal lords and foreign princes. The point is that at no time in history has Russia experienced what a true democracy is like.

[lordtiberius]

LT:
You are correct. I just lumped Tsars with feudal lords and foreign princes. The point is that at no time in history has Russia experienced what a true democracy is like.

Solzhenitsyn pointed to democratic governments at various points of Russian history - the Free Cossacks being one example.

[mendeleyev]

LT:

Solzhenitsyn pointed to democratic governments at various points of Russian history - the Free Cossacks being one example.

If that makes you feel as if Russia had a storied past filled with democratic ideals, go for it.

I don't.

[AkMike]

Ukraine urgently mined all the bridges in the Crimea

Sasha Kazimirsky March 4, 2015, 23:01


Ukrainian leadership has issued an urgent order to undermine all the bridges that lead to the occupied Russian Federation Crimean peninsula from the Kherson region. On this news reports "Press of Ukraine" with reference to some Russian media. It is reported that the bridges were mined still on February 17 but only now become aware of this. The Russian media say that Ukraine mined two bridges: the old bridge is not used in the Crimea and the bridge on the road between the border crossing "Chongar" (Ukraine) and "Dzhankoi" (Russia). "lock tab 42 wooden crates to the green bridge abutments. It summed up the boxes of electrical wires, the ends of which are derived in the direction locations of Ukrainian troops "- the same information was confirmed by the" press service "" Edge of the FSB of Russia in the Republic of Crimea. " It is noted that traffic on the bridge during mining "is not interrupted . " Let us remind the readers, "Press of Ukraine", which in the depths of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation in all seriousness discussed the construction across the Kerch Strait of a "cargo-cable-ferrying complex." And said today in Yalta about such "cable" plans of Russian occupants a Basov holding the position of head of the "Chamber of Commerce of the Crimea." According to Basov, the idea of creating such a complex by Professor Anatoly short. Basov said that local authorities generally did not react to this idea and proposal. In turn, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation are interested in the development. "Professor Short invited to the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, and there at the highest level, this issue is addressed," - said Bass. He added that the Kerch bridge can be built no earlier than 3-4 years. At the same time creating cable-ferrying complex will take a year
http://uapress.info/ru/news/show/65040

[lordtiberius]

LT:
If that makes you feel as if Russia had a storied past filled with democratic ideals, go for it.

I don't.

That's not what I said.  I referenced Solzhenitsyn who spoke of democratic governments at various points in different parts of Russia.  I do not consider the post Soviet settlement as democratic nor did I say that the history rivaled Anglo-American traditions.