History of Russia in Timeline
Russia, officially known as the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the world's largest country by area, covering over 17 million square kilometers and encompassing eleven time zones. With a population exceeding 146 million, it is the ninth-most populous country globally and the most populous in Europe. Russia is highly urbanized, boasting 16 cities with over a million residents. Moscow, the capital, is also the largest city, while Saint Petersburg, the second-largest city, holds the title of Russia's cultural capital.
1904: Nobel Prize Recognition for Russian Contributions
Since 1904, 26 individuals from the Soviet Union and Russia have been awarded Nobel Prizes in various fields, including physics, chemistry, medicine, economics, literature, and peace.
1906: Implementation of Major Reforms
In 1906, the Russian government implemented major reforms in response to the Revolution of 1905, including granting freedoms of speech and assembly, legalizing political parties, and establishing the State Duma, an elected legislative body.
1917: Impact of Russian Revolution on Literature
Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, Russian literature diverged into Soviet and white émigré branches. In the 1930s, Socialist realism, pioneered by Maxim Gorky, emerged as the dominant trend in Russia.
1917: Russian Revolution
In 1917, the Russian Revolution led to the abolition of Russia's monarchic rule, paving the way for the establishment of the Russian SFSR.
1918: Declaration of a Democratic Federal Republic
On January 19, 1918, the Russian Constituent Assembly formally declared Russia as a democratic federal republic, a decision that was subsequently nullified by the All-Russian Central Executive Committee.
December 1922: Formation of the Soviet Union
On December 30, 1922, Lenin and his associates established the Soviet Union, merging the Russian SFSR with the Byelorussian, Transcaucasian, and Ukrainian republics into a unified state.
1922: Russian Famine
The Russian famine of 1921-1922, a devastating consequence of the Russian Civil War, led to the loss of millions of lives.
1929: Exile of Trotsky and "Socialism in One Country"
Leon Trotsky, a key advocate for world revolution, was exiled from the Soviet Union in 1929, as Stalin's "Socialism in One Country" became the official doctrine.
1930: Russian Avant-Garde Art Movement
The Russian avant-garde art movement thrived from roughly 1890 to 1930, featuring globally influential artists such as El Lissitzky, Kazimir Malevich, Natalia Goncharova, Wassily Kandinsky, and Marc Chagall.
1933: End of the Soviet Famine
The Soviet famine of 1932-1933 ended, having claimed millions of lives due to forced agricultural collectivization, drought, and government policies.
June 1941: German Invasion of the Soviet Union
On June 22, 1941, Germany launched its invasion of the Soviet Union, initiating the Eastern Front, the largest theater of World War II.
1941: World War II Begins for the Soviet Union
In 1941, World War II, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War, began for the Soviet Union. The country joined the Allied forces with the United States, the United Kingdom and China, forming the Big Four that would later establish the United Nations Security Council.
1944: End of the Siege of Leningrad
The Siege of Leningrad, which had inflicted immense suffering and loss of life on the city's inhabitants, finally ended in 1944.
1945: World War II Ends
In 1945, World War II ended, with the Soviet Union emerging as a global superpower despite suffering immense civilian and military casualties and widespread devastation to its economy and infrastructure.
1946: Post-War Famine Begins
In 1946, following the devastation of World War II, the Soviet Union experienced a severe famine that lasted until 1947, further impacting the country's recovery.
1947: Post-War Famine Ends
The severe famine that plagued the Soviet Union in the aftermath of World War II ended in 1947.
1953: Stalin's Death and Khrushchev's Rise
After Stalin's death in 1953, Nikita Khrushchev became the new leader of the Soviet Union. He denounced Stalin's policies and initiated a period of de-Stalinization, releasing political prisoners and easing repressive policies.
1957: Laika's Journey as the First Animal in Orbit
In 1957, a Soviet space dog named Laika became the first animal to orbit the Earth aboard Sputnik 2.
1957: Launch of Sputnik 1
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, marking the first time an artificial satellite orbited the Earth.
1957: Sputnik 1 Launch
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, marking the start of the Space Age.
1958: Recognition of Battleship Potemkin at Brussels World's Fair
The Russian film The Battleship Potemkin was recognized as the greatest film of all time at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair.
1960: Soviet Union Wins Euro 1960
The Soviet Union national football team became the first European champions by winning the Euro 1960 tournament.
April 1961: First Human in Space
On April 12, 1961, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft.
1961: Yuri Gagarin's Pioneering Spaceflight
In 1961, Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, became the first human to journey into space.
1961: War and Peace film adaptation
Sergey Bondarchuk directed an Oscar-winning adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" in 1961, which became the most expensive film made in the Soviet Union.
1963: Valentina Tereshkova's Historic Space Mission
In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman and youngest person to venture into space, piloting the Vostok 6 solo mission.
1964: Khrushchev Ousted
In 1964, Nikita Khrushchev was removed from power, leading to a period of collective rule before Leonid Brezhnev became the Soviet leader.
1965: Kosygin Reform
In 1965, the Kosygin reform, aimed at partially decentralizing the Soviet economy, was implemented.
1965: Alexei Leonov's First Spacewalk
In 1965, Alexei Leonov, during the Voskhod 2 mission, became the first human to conduct a spacewalk by exiting the space capsule.
1966: Luna 9's Successful Moon Landing
In 1966, Luna 9 became the first spacecraft to accomplish a survivable landing on a celestial body other than Earth, successfully landing on the Moon.
1968: Zond 5's Circumnavigation of the Moon with Earthlings
In 1968, the Soviet spacecraft Zond 5 carried the first Earthlings, consisting of two tortoises and other life forms, to circumnavigate the Moon.
1969: Release of "White Sun of the Desert"
Vladimir Motyl's "White Sun of the Desert" was released in 1969, a popular film in the ostern genre, and it became a tradition for cosmonauts to watch it before space trips.
1970: Venera 7's Historic Landing on Venus
In 1970, Venera 7 achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first spacecraft to successfully land on another planet, Venus.
1971: Mars 3's Landing on the Red Planet
In 1971, the Soviet spacecraft Mars 3 achieved another historic feat by becoming the first spacecraft to land on Mars.
1979: Soviet-Afghan War Begins
Following a communist-led revolution in Afghanistan in 1979, Soviet forces invaded the country, initiating the Soviet-Afghan War.
1980: Moscow Hosts Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympic Games were held in Moscow.
1985: Gorbachev's Reforms
In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev became the last leader of the Soviet Union and introduced the policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) to address economic stagnation and democratize the government.
May 1988: Soviet Withdrawal from Afghanistan
In May 1988, facing international pressure, persistent anti-Soviet guerrilla warfare, and dwindling domestic support, the Soviets started withdrawing their troops from Afghanistan.
1988: Soviet Union Reaches Euro 1988 Finals
The Soviet Union national football team reached the finals of the Euro 1988 tournament.
June 1991: Yeltsin Elected President of Russian SFSR
Boris Yeltsin became the first directly elected president in Russian history in June 1991, assuming the presidency of the Russian SFSR, a republic within the Soviet Union.
August 1991: Failed Coup Attempt and End of the Communist Party
In August 1991, an attempted coup against Gorbachev by members of his government, aimed at preserving the Soviet Union, ultimately backfired, leading to the collapse of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
December 1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union
On December 25, 1991, the Soviet Union formally dissolved, resulting in the emergence of Russia and fourteen other independent post-Soviet states.
1991: Soviet Economic Crisis
By 1991, the Soviet economy, once the world's second-largest, entered a severe crisis, contributing to political and social instability.
1992: Elimination of Price Controls and Inflation
In 1992, the Russian government lifted most consumer price controls, leading to hyperinflation and a significant devaluation of the rouble.
1993: Establishment of the Russian Federation
In 1993, the Russian Federation adopted a new constitution, establishing a semi-presidential system with a multi-party representative democracy. The constitution outlined the structure of the federal government, consisting of three branches.
1993: Constitutional Crisis
In late 1993, a constitutional crisis erupted between President Yeltsin and the Russian parliament, culminating in a violent confrontation involving military force, resulting in over 100 deaths.
1993: Symmetric Federalism in Russia
The 1993 constitution of Russia established a symmetric federation, granting equal status to all regions as "subjects of the federation." Unlike the Soviet model, this constitution ensured that all regions, including republics, possessed the same level of autonomy. It's important to note that no regions hold sovereignty or the right to secede from the country.
1998: Russian Financial Crisis
In 1998, Russia faced a severe financial crisis due to high budget deficits, capital flight, and an inability to repay debts, resulting in a further decline in GDP.
December 1999: Yeltsin's Resignation and Putin's Rise
President Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly resigned on December 31, 1999, appointing Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as his successor, who then won the 2000 presidential election.
2000: Creation of Federal Districts
In 2000, Russian President Vladimir Putin established federal districts to enhance central government control over federal subjects. Initially consisting of seven districts, this structure has since expanded to eight, each led by a presidential appointee known as an envoy.
2000: Putin's Election and Second Chechen War
Vladimir Putin won the 2000 Russian presidential election and subsequently defeated the Chechen insurgency in the Second Chechen War.
2002: Grigori Perelman's Proof of the Poincaré Conjecture
In 2002, Russian mathematician Grigori Perelman was offered the first Clay Millennium Prize Problems Award for his groundbreaking proof of the Poincaré conjecture.
2004: Putin's Second Term
In 2004, Vladimir Putin secured a second presidential term, during which Russia experienced economic growth and improved living standards driven by high oil prices and foreign investment.
2004: Freedom House Ranking of Russia
Since 2004, Freedom House has consistently classified Russia as "not free" in its annual Freedom in the World survey. This assessment underscores concerns regarding political rights and civil liberties within the country.
2005: CSKA Moscow Wins UEFA Cup
The Russian football club CSKA Moscow won the UEFA Cup in 2005.
2006: Fields Medal Awarded to Grigori Perelman
Grigori Perelman was awarded the prestigious Fields Medal in 2006 for his remarkable achievement in proving the Poincaré conjecture.
2007: Russian Basketball Team Wins EuroBasket
The Russian national basketball team won the EuroBasket 2007 championship.
August 2008: Russo-Georgian War
The Russo-Georgian War, the first European war of the 21st century, took place from August 1st to 12th, 2008, following a diplomatic crisis with Georgia, resulting in Russia recognizing two separatist states within Georgia's territory.
2008: Russia-Georgia War
Russia engaged in a war with Georgia in 2008 as part of its assertive foreign policy in the 21st century. This military intervention reflects Russia's strategic objective to assert regional dominance and expand its international influence.
2008: Putin Becomes Prime Minister, Medvedev Elected President
Due to legal term limits, Putin assumed the role of Prime Minister in 2008, while Dmitry Medvedev was elected President for a single term, creating a power-sharing arrangement referred to as "tandemocracy."
2008: Zenit Saint Petersburg Wins UEFA Cup and Russia Reaches Euro 2008 Semi-Finals
The Russian football club Zenit Saint Petersburg won the UEFA Cup and the Russian national football team reached the semi-finals of Euro 2008.
2009: Population Growth in Russia
In 2009, Russia recorded annual population growth for the first time in fifteen years, due to declining death rates, increased birth rates, and increased immigration.
2009: Russia's Growing Influence in the European Energy Market
In 2009, Russia supplied 25% of the total gas demand in the European Union, marking the beginning of its increasing role as a major gas supplier to the region.
2010: Ethnic Composition of Russia
According to the 2010 census, around 81% of the Russian population were ethnic Russians, with the remaining 19% comprising various ethnic minorities. Over four-fifths of the population was of European descent, predominantly Slavs.
2010: Linguistic Diversity in Russia
Based on the 2010 Russian Census, 137.5 million people in Russia spoke Russian, 4.3 million spoke Tatar, and 1.1 million spoke Ukrainian. Despite the constitution granting republics the right to establish their own state languages alongside Russian, experts suggest Russia's linguistic diversity is declining due to various languages becoming endangered.
2010: Russia's Population Census
The 2010 census revealed Russia's population to be 142.8 million, excluding Crimea and Sevastopol.
2010: Religious Demographics of Russia
The 2012 Arena Atlas, published as an adjunct to the 2010 census, detailed religious populations and nationalities of Russia, revealing that 1.2% of the population followed "traditional religions honouring gods and ancestors" (Rodnovery, other Paganisms, Siberian shamanism, and Tengrism). Additionally, 0.5% were Buddhists, 0.1% were religious Jews, and 0.1% were Hindus.
2011: End of Space Shuttle Program and Soyuz Rockets' Role
After the Space Shuttle program concluded its final flight in 2011, Soyuz rockets became the only launch vehicles capable of transporting astronauts to the International Space Station until SpaceX's first crewed mission in 2020.
2011: Economist Intelligence Unit Classification of Russia
Starting in 2011, the Economist Intelligence Unit has designated Russia as an "authoritarian regime" in its Democracy Index. This classification reflects limitations on democratic principles and practices within the country.
2012: Religious Demographics of Russia
The 2012 Arena Atlas, an adjunct to the 2010 census, revealed that 47.3% of Russians identified as Christians, with 41% being Russian Orthodox. 25% were believers without specific affiliation, 13% were atheists, and 6.5% were Muslims.
2013: Oil and Gas Sector's Contribution to Russian GDP
In 2013, the oil and gas sector contributed 20-21% to Russia's GDP, showcasing its significant role in the national economy.
2014: Sochi Hosts Winter Olympics and Paralympics
The 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2014 Winter Paralympics were hosted in Sochi, Russia.
2014: First Wave of Sanctions Against Russia
After a period of economic growth, Russia's economy was negatively impacted in 2014 due to the initial wave of international sanctions imposed following the annexation of Crimea.
2014: Annexation of Crimea and War in Donbas
In 2014, following a revolution in Ukraine, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula after a disputed referendum. Russia also initiated a war in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, using mercenaries, military forces, and local separatist militias.
2014: Ukraine Crisis and Destabilization
In 2014, Russia initiated actions to destabilize and invade Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in its foreign policy assertiveness. This intervention further exemplifies Russia's pursuit of regional dominance and global influence.
2016: Russia's Road Network
In 2016, Russia had the world's fifth-largest road network with 1.5 million km of roads. However, despite this, its road density was one of the lowest globally.
2017: Outlaw of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
In 2017, Jehovah's Witnesses were declared an "extremist" and "nontraditional" faith and outlawed in Russia, leading to their persecution.
2017: Russia Hosts FIFA Confederations Cup
Russia hosted the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017.
2018: Education Expenditure in Russia
In 2018, Russia allocated roughly 4.7% of its GDP towards education, placing it among the world's most educated countries with the sixth-highest proportion of tertiary-level graduates at 62.1% of the population.
2018: Russia's Popularity as a Tourist Destination
In 2018, Russia held the position of the sixteenth-most visited country globally and the tenth-most visited in Europe, attracting over 24.6 million visitors according to the World Tourism Organization.
2018: Russia Hosts FIFA World Cup
Russia hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2018.
2018: Russia's Prominent Fishing Industry
With a vast coastline, Russia had the world's sixth-largest fishing industry in 2018, capturing nearly 5 million tons of fish. It's also known for producing a third of all canned fish and about a fourth of the global supply of fresh and frozen fish.
2019: Healthcare Expenditure in Russia
Russia dedicated 5.65% of its GDP to healthcare in 2019, notably lower than other developed nations.
2019: Russia's Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Nuclear Energy Production
In 2019, Russia, despite being the world's fourth-largest greenhouse gas emitter, was also the fourth-largest producer of nuclear energy, a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels.
2019: Russia's Export Dependence on Oil and Gas
In 2019, oil and gas exports accounted for up to 60% of Russia's total exports, underscoring the dominance of these commodities in the country's export structure and its susceptibility to fluctuations in global energy markets.
2019: Inbound Tourism to Russia
In 2019, the number of inbound trips made by foreign citizens to Russia reached 24.4 million, according to the Federal Agency for Tourism, further solidifying its popularity as a tourist destination.
2019: International Students in Russia
In 2019, Russia ranked as the world's fifth-leading destination for international students, hosting approximately 300 thousand students.
2019: Russia's Extensive Diplomatic Network
In 2019, Russia boasted the world's fifth-largest diplomatic network, maintaining relations with 190 UN member states, four partially recognized states, and three UN observer states. This network encompassed 144 embassies, highlighting Russia's significant international presence. Notably, Russia holds a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and plays a crucial role in organizations such as the G20, OSCE, APEC, CIS, EAEU, CSTO, SCO, and BRICS.
2019: High Forest Landscape Integrity Index Score
In 2019, Russia achieved a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 9.02, ranking 10th globally out of 172 countries, highlighting the country's relatively intact forest ecosystems, particularly in the northern taiga and Siberian tundra regions.
2019: Oil and Gas Sector's Peak Contribution to Russian GDP
According to Rosstat's assessment in 2021, the oil and gas sector reached its maximum share of 19.2% in Russia's GDP in 2019, including all associated activities from extraction to sales and support services.
2019: Russia's Investment in Research and Development
In 2019, Russia dedicated about 1% of its GDP to research and development, placing it tenth globally in terms of R&D budget.
2020: Restrictions on LGBT Rights
In 2020, Russia implemented restrictions targeting LGBT rights, including a ban on same-sex marriage and the classification of LGBT+ organizations, such as the Russian LGBT Network, as "foreign agents." These actions reflect a curtailment of rights and freedoms for the LGBT+ community in Russia.
2020: SpaceX's Entry into Crewed Spaceflight
In 2020, SpaceX achieved a significant milestone with its first crewed mission, ending the period where Soyuz rockets were the sole means of astronaut transportation to the International Space Station.
2020: Decrease in Oil and Gas Sector's Contribution to Russian GDP
In 2020, the total share of the oil and gas sector in Russia's GDP decreased to 15.2%, as revealed by Rosstat's comprehensive assessment published in 2021.
2020: Russia's Contribution to Scientific Publications
Russia ranked tenth worldwide in 2020 for the number of scientific publications, with approximately 1.3 million papers, highlighting its significant scientific output.
2020: Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Russian Demographics
Since 2020, Russia experienced a reversal of population gains due to excessive deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the largest peacetime population decline in its history.
2021: Russia's Standing in Hydroelectric Power Generation
In 2021, Russia held the position of the world's fifth-largest hydroelectric power producer, highlighting its significant capacity for renewable energy generation.
2021: Comprehensive Assessment of Oil and Gas Sector's Share in Russian GDP
In 2021, the Russian statistics agency Rosstat released the first comprehensive assessment of the oil and gas sector's contribution to Russia's GDP. This assessment revealed that the maximum total share, including all related activities, amounted to 19.2% in 2019 and 15.2% in 2020.
2021: Russia's Arms Exports and Domestic Defense Industry
In 2021, Russia held the position of the world's second-largest arms exporter. Its defense industry is self-sufficient, capable of producing most of its military equipment, showcasing its technological prowess and military independence.
2021: Updated Population Figure for Russia
As per the 2021 census, Russia's population increased to 144.7 million, excluding Crimea and Sevastopol, indicating continued population growth.
2021: Russia's Higher Ranking in Global Innovation Index
In 2021, Russia held a higher position in the Global Innovation Index, ranking 45th, before dropping to 51st in 2023.
2021: Life Expectancy and Infant Mortality Rate in Russia
In 2021, Russia had an overall life expectancy at birth of 70.06 years (65.51 years for males and 74.51 years for females). The infant mortality rate was very low at 5 per 1,000 live births.
2021: Structure and Size of the Russian Armed Forces
As of 2021, the Russian Armed Forces comprised around one million active-duty personnel, positioning it as the world's fifth-largest military. This force is divided into the Ground Forces, Navy, Aerospace Forces, along with the independent arms of the Strategic Missile Troops and Airborne Troops. Notably, Russia mandates a year of military service for all male citizens aged 18-27.
January 2022: Russia's Economic Reliance on Oil and Gas Revenues
In January 2022, oil and gas-related taxes and export tariffs constituted a substantial 45% of Russia's federal budget revenues. This highlights the country's significant economic dependence on its energy sector.
February 2022: Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking the largest conventional war in Europe since World War II. The invasion drew international condemnation and triggered expanded sanctions against Russia.
February 2022: Russia's Role as an Energy Superpower
In February 2022, leading up to the invasion of Ukraine, Russia's share of gas supplies to the European Union (including the United Kingdom) had risen to 32%, highlighting its dominance as a leading natural gas exporter.
April 2022: Impact of the Russo-Ukrainian War on Russian Economy
In April 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia faced a new wave of international sanctions and corporate boycotts, leading to the Russian government halting the publication of economic data. This was part of an "all-out economic and financial war" aimed at isolating Russia from the Western financial system.
April 2022: Russia's Significant Satellite Presence
In April 2022, Russia maintained the world's third-highest number of active satellites in space, with 172, highlighting its substantial space capabilities.
2022: Persecution and Human Rights Abuses
During the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia established filtration camps, drawing comparisons to similar camps used in the Chechen Wars. These camps have been associated with abuses against Ukrainians, including forced deportations to Russia. The invasion also coincided with heightened political repression within Russia, marked by the enactment of laws criminalizing the "discrediting" of the armed forces, further limiting freedom of expression and dissent.
2022: Termination of Formula One Russian Grand Prix
The annual Formula One Russian Grand Prix, held at the Sochi Autodrom, was terminated in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
2022: Escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War
The Russo-Ukrainian War experienced a significant escalation in 2022, leading to a deterioration of Russia's relationships with neighboring Ukraine and Western powers. Notably, relations with the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, and NATO have been severely strained.
2022: Russia's Ranking in Press Freedom Index
Reporters Without Borders' Press Freedom Index for 2022 placed Russia at 155th out of 180 countries. This ranking indicates considerable restrictions on media freedom, raising concerns about censorship, intimidation of journalists, and the suppression of independent reporting.
2022: Demographic Crisis in Russia
In 2022, Russia's total fertility rate was estimated to be 1.42 children born per woman, significantly below the replacement rate of 2.1, marking one of the world's lowest fertility rates, contributing to a demographic crisis.
2022: Annexation of Four Ukrainian Regions
In 2022, Russia further annexed four regions from Ukraine amid an ongoing invasion, exacerbating the conflict between the two countries.
2022: Impact of Ukrainian Invasion on Russian Demographics
Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the country's demographic crisis deepened with high military fatalities, renewed brain drain, and human capital flight caused by Western sanctions and boycotts.
June 2023: Wagner Group Rebellion
In June 2023, the Wagner Group, a private military contractor fighting for Russia in Ukraine, launched an armed rebellion against the Russian Ministry of Defense. After capturing Rostov-on-Don and advancing towards Moscow, the rebellion was called off following negotiations between Wagner and the Belarusian government.
August 2023: Launch of Luna 25 Mission
August 2023 marked the launch of Luna 25, the first mission within the Luna-Glob Moon exploration program, representing Russia's ongoing lunar exploration efforts.
2023: Russia's Ranking in Democracy Index
In 2023, Russia's ranking in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index stood at 144th out of 167 countries. This ranking highlights significant challenges to democratic governance and the state of political freedoms in the country.
2023: Russia's Position in the Global Innovation Index
In 2023, Russia's ranking in the Global Innovation Index fell to 51st, a decline from its 45th position in 2021.
2023: Russia's Military Expenditure and Nuclear Capabilities
Russia allocated $109 billion to military spending in 2023, representing about 5.9% of its GDP. This expenditure ranks Russia as having the world's third-highest military budget. Russia is recognized as one of the five nuclear-weapons states and possesses the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons globally, holding over half of the world's total.
2023: Russia's Corruption Perceptions Index Ranking
Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index for 2023 placed Russia at 141st out of 180 countries, signifying a high level of perceived corruption. This ranking underscores widespread concerns regarding corruption's pervasive impact on various sectors of Russian society.