History of Russia in Timeline

Russia, officially the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country extending across Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. As the world's largest nation, it spans eleven time zones and shares borders with fourteen countries. Russia is Europe's most populous country and ranks ninth globally in population. It is highly urbanized, with sixteen cities exceeding one million residents. Moscow serves as the capital and largest city, boasting the most populous metropolitan area in Europe, while Saint Petersburg holds the position of the second-largest city and a prominent cultural hub.

1904: Nobel Prize awarded

Since 1904, Nobel Prize were awarded to 26 Soviets and Russians in physics, chemistry, medicine, economy, literature and peace.

1905: Revolution of 1905

In 1905, the Revolution of 1905 was triggered by the humiliating failure of the Russo-Japanese War. It led to major reforms.

1906: Russian Constitution of 1906

The Russian Constitution of 1906 was enacted, granting freedoms of speech and assembly, the legalisation of political parties, and the creation of an elected legislative body, the State Duma.

1914: Russia enters World War I

In 1914, Russia entered World War I in response to Austria-Hungary's declaration of war on Russia's ally Serbia, and fought across multiple fronts while isolated from its Triple Entente allies.

1916: Brusilov Offensive

In 1916, the Brusilov Offensive of the Imperial Russian Army almost completely destroyed the Austro-Hungarian Army.

1917: Russian Revolution

In 1917, the Russian Revolution abolished Russia's monarchic rule, which was eventually replaced by the Russian SFSR, the world's first constitutionally socialist state.

1917: End of Nicholas II's reign

Nicholas II's reign ended in 1917. He was the last Russian emperor.

1918: Proclamation of the Russian SFSR

Following the Russian Revolution and the proclamation of the Russian SFSR in 1918, the "Russian" in the title of the state was Rossiyskaya, rather than Russkaya, as the former denoted a multinational state, while the latter had ethnic dimensions.

1918: Russia declared a democratic federal republic

On January 19, 1918, the Russian Constituent Assembly declared Russia a democratic federal republic; however, the next day the Constituent Assembly was dissolved by the All-Russian Central Executive Committee.

1921: Russian Famine of 1921-1922

By the end of the violent civil war, Russia's economy and infrastructure were heavily damaged, and as many as 10 million perished during the war, mostly civilians. The Russian famine of 1921 claimed up to five million victims.

December 1922: Formation of the Soviet Union

On December 30, 1922, Lenin and his aides formed the Soviet Union, by joining the Russian SFSR into a single state with the Byelorussian, Transcaucasian, and Ukrainian republics.

1922: Russian Famine of 1921-1922

1924: Lenin's death

Following Lenin's death in 1924, a troika was designated to take charge.

1929: Trotsky exiled from the Soviet Union

In 1929, Leon Trotsky, the main proponent of world revolution, was exiled from the Soviet Union.

1932: Soviet famine of 1932-1933

The transitional disorganisation of the country's agriculture, combined with the harsh state policies and a drought, led to the Soviet famine of 1932, which killed 5.7 to 8.7 million, 3.3 million of them in the Russian SFSR.

1933: Soviet famine of 1932-1933

The transitional disorganisation of the country's agriculture, combined with the harsh state policies and a drought, led to the Soviet famine of 1933, which killed 5.7 to 8.7 million, 3.3 million of them in the Russian SFSR.

September 1939: Soviet Union enters World War II

On September 17, 1939, the Soviet Union entered World War II with its invasion of Poland, in accordance with a secret protocol within the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact with Nazi Germany.

June 1941: Germany invades the Soviet Union

On June 22, 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union, opening the Eastern Front, the largest theater of World War II.

1941: World War II

The 1941–1945 period of World War II is known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War.

1941: Siege of Leningrad

The city of Leningrad was fully blockaded on land between 1941 and 1944 by German and Finnish forces, and suffered starvation and more than a million deaths, but never surrendered.

1942: Battle of Stalingrad

In the winter of 1942, the Germans were dealt major defeats at the Battle of Stalingrad.

1943: Battle of Kursk

In the summer of 1943, the Germans were dealt major defeats at the Battle of Kursk.

1944: Soviet forces in Eastern and Central Europe

Soviet forces steamrolled through Eastern and Central Europe in 1944–1945 and captured Berlin in May 1945.

May 1945: Soviet forces capture Berlin

In May 1945, Soviet forces captured Berlin.

August 1945: Red Army invades Manchuria

In August 1945, the Red Army invaded Manchuria and ousted the Japanese from Northeast Asia, contributing to the Allied victory over Japan.

1945: World War II

The 1941–1945 period of World War II is known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War.

1946: Soviet Famine of 1946-1947

The Soviet economy and infrastructure suffered massive devastation during World War II, which caused the Soviet famine of 1946.

1947: Soviet Famine of 1946-1947

The Soviet economy and infrastructure suffered massive devastation during World War II, which caused the Soviet famine of 1947.

1953: Death of Stalin

After Stalin's death in 1953 and a short period of collective rule, the new leader Nikita Khrushchev denounced Stalin and launched the policy of de-Stalinization, releasing many political prisoners from the Gulag labour camps.

1954: First nuclear power plant

In 1954, Russia was the first country to develop civilian nuclear power, building the world's first nuclear power plant.

1957: Laika orbited the Earth aboard Sputnik 2

In 1957, Laika, a Soviet space dog, became the first animal to orbit the Earth, aboard Sputnik 2.

1957: Launch of Sputnik 1

In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, thus starting the Space Age.

1957: Sputnik 1 Launch

In 1957, the first Earth-orbiting artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched.

April 1961: Yuri Gagarin orbits Earth

On April 12 1961, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit the Earth, aboard the Vostok 1 crewed spacecraft.

1961: First human trip into space

In 1961, the first human trip into space was successfully made by Yuri Gagarin.

1963: Valentina Tereshkova became the first and youngest woman in space

In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova became the first and youngest woman in space, having flown a solo mission on Vostok 6.

1964: Ousting of Khrushchev

Following the ousting of Khrushchev in 1964, another period of collective rule ensued, until Leonid Brezhnev became the leader.

1965: First human spacewalk

In 1965, Alexei Leonov became the first human to conduct a spacewalk, exiting the space capsule during Voskhod 2.

1965: Kosygin Reform

The 1965 Kosygin reform aimed for partial decentralisation of the Soviet economy.

1966: Luna 9 landed on the Moon

In 1966, Luna 9 became the first spacecraft to achieve a survivable landing on a celestial body, the Moon.

1968: Zond 5 circumnavigated the Moon

In 1968, Zond 5 brought the first Earthlings (two tortoises and other life forms) to circumnavigate the Moon.

1970: Venera 7 landed on Venus

In 1970, Venera 7 became the first spacecraft to land on another planet, Venus.

1971: Mars 3 landed on Mars

In 1971, Mars 3 became the first spacecraft to land on Mars.

1979: Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

In 1979, after a communist-led revolution in Afghanistan, Soviet forces invaded the country, ultimately starting the Soviet–Afghan War.

1985: Gorbachev's reforms

From 1985 onwards, the last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who sought to enact liberal reforms in the Soviet system, introduced the policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt to end the period of economic stagnation and to democratise the government.

May 1988: Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan

In May 1988, the Soviets started to withdraw from Afghanistan, due to international opposition, persistent anti-Soviet guerrilla warfare, and a lack of support by Soviet citizens.

June 1991: Boris Yeltsin elected President

In June 1991, Boris Yeltsin became the first directly elected President in Russian history when he was elected President of the Russian SFSR.

August 1991: Coup d'état attempt

In August 1991, a coup d'état attempt by members of Gorbachev's government, directed against Gorbachev and aimed at preserving the Soviet Union, instead led to the end of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

December 1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union

On December 25, 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, along with contemporary Russia, fourteen other post-Soviet states emerged.

1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union

In 1991, the Russian SFSR emerged from the dissolution of the Soviet Union as the Russian Federation, after which a new constitution was adopted that established a federal semi-presidential system.

1991: Soviet economy crisis

Prior to 1991, the Soviet economy was the world's second-largest, but during its final years, it went into a crisis.

1992: Elimination of price controls

In 1992, most consumer price controls were eliminated, causing extreme inflation and significantly devaluing the rouble.

1993: Constitutional crisis

In late 1993, tensions between Yeltsin and the Russian parliament culminated in a constitutional crisis which ended violently through military force. During the crisis, Yeltsin was backed by Western governments, and over 100 people were killed.

1993: Russia's population peaked

Russia's population peaked at over 148 million in 1993.

1998: Russian Financial Crisis

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.

December 1999: Yeltsin resigns, Putin takes over

On December 31, 1999, President Yeltsin unexpectedly resigned, handing the post to the recently appointed prime minister and his chosen successor, Vladimir Putin.

2000: Establishment of federal districts

In 2000, Putin established the federal districts of Russia to facilitate central government control.

2000: Putin wins presidential election

In 2000, Vladimir Putin won the presidential election, and defeated the Chechen insurgency in the Second Chechen War.

2000: Incarceration rate decline since 2000

Since 2000, Russia's incarceration rate has fallen steadily, by 59%.

2002: Clay Millennium Prize Problems Award

In 2002, Grigori Perelman was offered the first ever Clay Millennium Prize Problems Award for his final proof of the Poincaré conjecture.

2004: Putin won second presidential term

In 2004, Putin won a second presidential term. Russia's economy and living standards improved due to high oil prices and foreign investment.

2004: Freedom House ranking

Since 2004, Freedom House has ranked Russia as "not free" in its Freedom in the World survey.

2006: Grigori Perelman was awarded with the Fields Medal

In 2006, Grigori Perelman was awarded with the Fields Medal.

August 2008: Russo-Georgian War

The Russo-Georgian War occurred during 1–12 August 2008, leading to Russia's recognition of two separatist states in occupied Georgian territories.

2008: Putin became prime minister

In 2008, Putin transitioned to the post of prime minister, while Dmitry Medvedev was elected President in order to maintain power.

2008: War with Georgia

In 2008, Russia was militarily involved in a war with Georgia.

2009: Annual population growth

In 2009, Russia recorded annual population growth for the first time in fifteen years.

2010: Language Spoken

According to the Russian Census of 2010, 137.5 million across the country spoke Russian, 4.3 million spoke Tatar, and 1.1 million spoke Ukrainian.

2010: religious populations and nationalities of Russia

In 2010 the Arena Atlas, an adjunct to the 2010 census, enumerating in detail the religious populations and nationalities of Russia, based on a large-sample country-wide survey. The results showed that 47.3% of Russians declared themselves Christians, 25% were believers without affiliation to any specific religion, 13% were atheists, 6.5% were Muslims, 1.2% were followers of "traditional religions honouring gods and ancestors" (Rodnovery, other Paganisms, Siberian shamanism and Tengrism), 0.5% were Buddhists, 0.1% were religious Jews and 0.1% were Hindus.

2010: Ethnic groups in Russia

In the 2010 census, roughly 81% of the population were ethnic Russians, and the remaining 19% of the population were ethnic minorities.

2011: Final flight of the Space Shuttle programme

Between the final flight of the Space Shuttle programme in 2011 and the 2020 SpaceX's first crewed mission, Soyuz rockets were the only launch vehicles capable of transporting astronauts to the ISS.

2011: Economist Intelligence Unit ranking

Since 2011, the Economist Intelligence Unit has ranked Russia as an "authoritarian regime" in its Democracy Index.

2012: Putin won presidential election

In 2012, Putin won the presidential election, triggering the "Snow Revolution" protests.

2012: Publication of the Arena Atlas

In 2012, the research organisation Sreda, in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, published the Arena Atlas, an adjunct to the 2010 census, enumerating in detail the religious populations and nationalities of Russia, based on a large-sample country-wide survey.

2013: Anti-LGBTQ "gay propaganda" law passed

In 2013, an anti-LGBTQ law banning "gay propaganda" was unanimously passed by the State Duma and the Federation Council and signed into law by Vladimir Putin.

2014: Expulsion from the G8

In 2014, Russia was expelled from the G8.

2014: Russia annexed Crimea

In early 2014, following a pro-Western revolution in Ukraine, Russia annexed Crimea after a disputed referendum.

2014: War with Ukraine begins and annexation of Crimea

Since 2014, Russia has been militarily involved in a war with Ukraine, which has involved the internationally unrecognised annexation of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea in 2014.

2015: Russia joined the Paris Agreement

In 2015, Russia joined the Paris Agreement on climate change.

2015: Social Security System Composition

In 2015, Russia's social security system comprised roughly 16% of the total GDP.

2017: Jehovah's Witnesses outlawed

In 2017 the Jehovah's Witnesses were outlawed in Russia, facing persecution ever since, after having been declared an "extremist" and "nontraditional" faith.

2018: Putin re-elected for consecutive term

Amidst nationwide protests, Putin was re-elected for his second consecutive term in the 2018 presidential election.

2018: Russia was the sixteenth-most visited country in the world

In 2018, Russia was the sixteenth-most visited country in the world, and the tenth-most visited country in Europe, with over 24.6 million visits.

2018: Russia's fishing industry captured nearly 5 million tons of fish

In 2018, Russia's fishing industry captured nearly 5 million tons of fish, making it the world's sixth-largest fishing industry.

2018: Shadow economy size

In 2018, Russia's shadow economy was estimated to be about 44% of the total GDP.

2019: Inbound trips of foreign citizens to Russia amounted to 24.4 million

According to Federal Agency for Tourism, the number of inbound trips of foreign citizens to Russia amounted to 24.4 million in 2019. In 2019, travel and tourism accounted for about 4.8% of country's total GDP.

2019: Russia's road network

As of 2019, Russia had the world's fifth-largest road network with over 1.5 million km of roads.

2019: Income Inequality

As of 2019, the top 10% of the society received about 46% of the national income, while the bottom half received only 20%.

2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index ranking

In 2019, Russia had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 9.02, ranking 10th out of 172 countries.

2019: Russia ratified the Paris Agreement

In 2019, Russia ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change.

2019: Russia spent about 1% of its GDP on research and development

In 2019, Russia spent about 1% of its GDP on research and development, with the world's tenth-highest budget.

2019: Immigrant population in Russia

Russia has the third-largest immigrant population in the world, with over 12 million immigrants residing in the country as of 2019.

2020: Immigrants in Russia by country of origin

As of 2020, the vast majority of the Immigrants hail from post-Soviet states, with about half of them being from Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

2020: SpaceX's first crewed mission

Between the final flight of the Space Shuttle programme in 2011 and the 2020 SpaceX's first crewed mission, Soyuz rockets were the only launch vehicles capable of transporting astronauts to the ISS.

2020: Russia ranked tenth worldwide in the number of scientific publications

In 2020, Russia ranked tenth worldwide in the number of scientific publications, with roughly 1.3 million papers.

2020: Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage

In 2020, the Russian parliament legalized a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

2020: Tourism declined due to COVID-19 pandemic

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism declined precipitously in 2020, to just over 6.3 million foreign visitors.

2020: Excessive deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic

Since 2020, excessive deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the largest peacetime decline in Russia's history.

2021: Intentional homicide rate

As of 2021, Russia's intentional homicide rate stood at 6.8 per 100,000 people.

2021: Russian LGBT Network designated as a "foreign agent"

In 2021, the Ministry of Justice designated the LGBTQ rights group Russian LGBT Network as a "foreign agent".

2021: Russia's population in the 2021 census

In the 2021 census, Russia's population was 147.2 million.

2021: Russia ranked 45th in the Global Innovation Index

Russia ranked 45th in the Global Innovation Index in 2021.

February 2022: Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking the largest conventional war in Europe since World War II.

2022: Russia is the fifth-largest hydroelectric producer

As of 2022, Russia is the fifth-largest hydroelectric producer, with hydroelectric power contributing almost a fifth to the total energy generation (17%).

2022: Abuses during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine

During the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia set up filtration camps where many Ukrainians are subjected to abuses and forcibly sent to Russia.

2022: Increased co-operation with North Korea

Following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia significantly developed its relations with North Korea, with increased defence co-operation.

2022: Economic Impact of Sanctions Following Invasion of Ukraine

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia faced extensive sanctions but has shown resilience, maintaining economic stability and growth.

2022: Demographic crisis deepened after the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the demographic crisis has deepened, owing to high military fatalities and renewed emigration.

2022: Annexation of four Ukrainian regions

In 2022, Russia continued its war with Ukraine, annexing four other regions in addition to Crimea during an ongoing invasion.

2022: Expulsion from Council of Europe

In 2022, Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe.

2022: Amendments made to the 2013 anti-LGBTQ law

In 2022, further amendments were made to the 2013 anti-LGBTQ law.

2022: Deployment of penal military units in Ukraine

Since 2022, penal military units have been deployed as storm troops during the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.

June 2023: Wagner Group rebellion

In June 2023, the Wagner Group declared an open rebellion against the Russian Ministry of Defence, capturing Rostov-on-Don before halting the march on Moscow after negotiations. The leader of the rebellion, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was later killed in a plane crash.

2023: Russia has 181 active satellites in space

As of 2023, Russia has 181 active satellites in space, which is the third-highest in the world. Luna 25 launched in August 2023, was the first of the Luna-Glob Moon exploration programme.

2023: Russia's Energy Resources

As of 2023, Russia is the second-largest producer and the third-largest exporter of natural gas, as well as the second-largest producer and exporter of crude oil.

2023: Russia is the world's third-largest energy producer

As of 2023, Russia is the world's third-largest energy producer. Fossil fuels account for over 64% of energy production and 87% of energy consumption.

2023: Military expenditure

As of 2023, Russia maintains the world's third-highest military expenditure, spending $109 billion, corresponding to about 5.9% of its GDP.

2023: Russia's greenhouse gas emissions

As of 2023, Russia's greenhouse gas emissions are the fourth-largest in the world.

2023: Contribution of agriculture, forestry and fishing

As of 2023, agriculture, forestry and fishing contributes about 3.3% of Russia's total GDP.

2023: Economic Composition and Largest Trading Partner

As of 2023, the service sector accounts for roughly 57% of Russia's total GDP, and China is Russia's largest trading partner.

2023: Illegal Arms Trade Market and Human Trafficking

In 2023, Russia had the world's second-largest illegal arms trade market, was described as a key hub for human trafficking, and was ranked first in Europe and 19th globally in the Global Organized Crime Index.

2023: Ban on gender reassignment surgery and outlawing of international LGBTQ movement

In 2023, the Russian parliament passed a bill banning gender reassignment surgery for transgender people and the Supreme Court of Russia banned the international LGBTQ movement as "extremist", outlawing it in the country.

2024: Russia's diplomatic network and international status

As of 2024, Russia has the world's sixth-largest diplomatic network and is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

2024: Corruption Perceptions Index ranking

As of 2024, Russia is the lowest rated European country in Transparency International's annual Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking 154th out of 180 countries.

2024: Total fertility rate

As of 2024, the total fertility rate across Russia is estimated to be 1.41 children born per woman.

2024: Putin won third consecutive term

In 2024, Putin won his third consecutive term in the presidential election, with 88% of the vote.

2024: Rankings in Democracy and Press Freedom Indices

In 2024, Russia ranked 150th in the Democracy Index and 162nd in the Press Freedom Index.

2024: Oil and gas sector accounted for 30% of Russia's federal budget

In 2024, Russia's large oil and gas sector accounted for 30% of its federal budget revenues, down from 50% in the mid-2010s, suggesting economic diversification.