Opinions – IStories

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Opinions

An extended commentary by Grigory Yudin on a study that concludes that Russians’ actual support for Vladimir Putin is close to what sociological polls show

21 August

Grigory Yudin

Why the Discussion of Putin’s Support Has Lost Its Meaning

Should we believe the polls that show that more than 80% of Russians support Putin? Maybe people are just afraid to tell the sociologists the truth?

21 August

Editors

Is Putin’s Popular Support Real

A former commander of a Russian reconnaissance group explains why the Armed Forces of Ukraine broke through into the Kursk Oblast so easily

12 August

“No Obstacles — Just Drive Forward”

An attempt to psychoanalyze Russian authorities by Important Stories’ editor-in-chief Roman Anin

14 March

What Is Inside Vladimir Putin’s Head?

While the United States is more than capable of instigating a full-blown economic crisis in Russia, it’s not seen as a necessity, says Professor Oleg Itskhoki of the University of California, Los Angeles

16 January

Oleg Itskhoki

The United States Could Strangle Russia. So, What is Stopping Them?

Emerging seemingly unscathed, Russia continues to sell oil and purchase components for weapons production, while only losing minor sums in the process. Professor Oleg Itskhoki from the University of California, Los Angeles, explains why this is the case.

20 December

Oleg Itskhoki

The Disappointment of 2023: Sanctions. Only the War can Destroy the Russian Economy Now

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s mutiny is the result of the actions of the president, who, in order to preserve his personal power, has long moved the country’s governance into a gray zone

27 June

Ilya Matveev

Nothing but Wagner All Around. How Putin Degraded the Russian State

War has put some Russian citizens against a tough moral choice: if you’re against the aggressive acts of Russian authorities, may you support the Ukraine Army? “Important Stories” spoke to Russians, who send drones to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

7 February

“The War Will End When Everybody Makes an Effort for That”

IStories editor Roman Anin on how Russia’s Game of Thrones will end

9 January

In Russia, a Clan War for Putin’s Throne Has Begun. Who Will Win?

In short: because regions have no independent elites, the Russian ethnic population prevalented, and the national peripheries are financially dependent on Moscow. But federalization after the regime's collapse is inevitable

15 November

Editors

Why Russia Won’t Disintegrate

Or why true patriots of Russia should want the army to leave Ukraine as soon as possible — the opinion of Roman Anin, editor-in-chief of Important Stories

28 June

What Would Happen If Putin's Most Cherished Dream about the War Came True?

Bashkir orchids, technological 'cannibalism', buying up used machinery, 3D printing, and other methods

8 June

Editors

How Russian Business Evades Western Sanctions

Analysts of the Conflict Intelligence Team recount high-profile cases that have been confirmed

26 May

What War Crimes Have Russian Servicemen Committed in Ukraine

Is it true that Russia threatens the whole world with famine?

25 May

The First Grain War

What Vladimir Putin wanted when he started the war against Ukraine, and what actually happened

23 May

Alesya Marokhovskaya, Editors

The War Does Not Justify Its Goals

Why was the war destined for failure from the very beginning, what sources of information did president Putin rely on before starting it, and why did nobody in the Federal Security Service [FSB] of the Russian Federation tell him the truth about the real situation in Ukraine

16 May

How Putin Decided to Go to War

Transnistria has gained a foothold at the top of the news. This small part of Moldova, situated on the left bank of the Dniester River, is now claimed by both Moscow and Kyiv

2 May

Editors

Why Putin needs a landing force in Transnistria

Who teaches what at Russia's three main schools of journalism

22 April

Alesya Marokhovskaya, Sonya Savina, Anastasia Korotkova

“I Don’t Want to Sell My Conscience”

Conflict Intelligence Team analysts answer

18 April

What Weaknesses has the Russian Army Shown in Ukraine?