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The Reality of Russian Politics

Who we are

Established in 2018 by Tatiana Stanovaya, R.Politik is dedicated to delivering unerringly objective and analytical insights into Russian politics for discerning professionals.

Our operations are solely sustained by our subscriber community, ensuring our independence from grants, government funding, or any contributions with potential political biases.

While we welcome all subscribers, our editorial independence is sacrosanct — no external influence can dictate our topic selection, analytical nuances, tone, or content. This unwavering integrity is at the core of our operations.

— Our mission

Is to present a lucid understanding of major political trends and the motivations of principal actors.

Tatiana Stanovaya

Who we serve

Policymakers & Diplomats

Policymakers & Diplomats

R.Politik's analysis is a critical asset for policymakers, facilitating well-informed decisions rooted in a nuanced grasp of complex situations.

Our insights enable proactive strategy, assisting decision-makers in anticipating and responding to evolving international scenarios with precision.

Our bulletins serve as exclusive dossiers on Russian politics, offering a consolidated narrative rarely seen in mainstream outlets. Amidst today's information clutter, we provide a focused lens to understand underlying geopolitical dynamics. Neutral in stance and devoid of ideological bias, we distinguish between public rhetoric and actual intent.

Business & Finance

Business & Finance

R.Politik's Bulletin is an essential tool for businesses operating in or connected to Russian markets.

Unlike traditional consultancies that mainly focus on regulatory, legal, and economic policy updates, we provide a nuanced understanding of Russia's complex political landscape. Time and time again, R.Politik’s predictions have proven true, underscoring our prescient analyses.

Think Tanks & Academia

Think Tanks & Academia

Ideal for think tanks and academia, R.Politik’s Bulletins frequently feature in key digests and reports.

They serve as a touchstone for expert opinions on Russia's domestic, foreign, and military affairs. Our exclusive analyses enrich public discourse on Russia's geopolitical dynamics, guiding experts and enthusiasts alike. Our bulletins shape informed opinions, guide research, and help you stay ahead in the Russian political landscape.

The R.Politik's Bulletins are indispensable tools for NGOs, especially those focusing on conflict dynamics and human rights issues related to Russia.

NGOs

The R.Politik's bulletins are indispensable tools for NGOs, especially those focusing on conflict dynamics and human rights issues related to Russia.

These bulletins offer a nuanced understanding of various conflicts, shedding light on the plight of the most vulnerable groups and highlighting the emergence of new at-risk communities. By dissecting societal attitudes and Kremlin-backed narratives, our bulletins equip NGOs with more persuasive arguments for their advocacy efforts.

What we do

The Bulletin

Our premium product offers in-depth insight into Russian politics, covering both current developments and longer-term trends.

Ideal for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of Russian politics and wanting exclusive insights into decision-making, trends, interactions, and the logic behind them.

All subscribers to The Bulletin will gain complimentary access to the R.Politik Weekly Digest, ensuring they remain updated with both in-depth and weekly snapshots of Russian politics.

The Digest

A concise weekly summary that highlights key events, offering clarity on their significance and context. While not as extensive as The Bulletin, it distils crucial details into a concise format.

The Digest is tailored for those who need quick, clear summaries of the latest developments in a brief and unbiased manner.

In the media

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Putin’s daughters Katerina and Maria take centre stage at Russia’s ‘Davos’

“The fact the daughters were going to become more public with time was to be expected,” Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre, said. “It would be more unnatural for them to remain in the shadows.”

The provenance of several other delegates at the economic forum is clear from their names: Ksenia Shoigu, Roman Rotenberg and Alexander Vaino. They are, in turn, the daughter of Putin’s long-serving defence minister, the son of one of Putin’s oldest oligarch friends and ice hockey partners, and the son of Putin’s chief of staff.

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Putin’s Reshuffle Is About Optimization, Not Change

The removal of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who had become a toxic figure for the elite, is supposed to increase the efficiency of Russia’s war machine.

Vladimir Putin’s first staffing decision after his formal inauguration for a fifth presidential term was to re-appoint Mikhail Mishustin as prime minister (Russia’s constitution obliges the government to resign ahead of a presidential inauguration). Indeed, most ministers were returned to their former positions. But Putin generated some surprise by offering the post of defense minister to Andrei Belousov, an economist and former deputy prime minister. The incumbent defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, was moved to head up the Security Council, replacing the powerful Nikolai Patrushev.

Tatiana Stanovaya

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Genius or madness? Why Putin wants an economist to be Russia’s new defense minister at a key point in the war

Russia analysts stress that Belousov will have little to do with Russian military tactics and strategy in Ukraine in any case, with that task largely resting on the shoulders of Russia’s top general, the Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, who will remain in his job, the Kremlin press secretary noted Sunday.

“First of all, Belousov will not manage military combats, he will not get engaged in military planning tactics,” Tatiana Stanovaya, senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and the founder of analysis firm R.Politik, told CNBC Monday, saying military planning would be left to military officials like Gerasimov, although his replacement could also not be ruled out.