Russia Reform Monitor: No. 1909

June 27:

After two decades of development and preparation, the long-awaited launch of Russia's "Angara" space rocket was aborted just moments before takeoff. The failed launch is the latest in a string of problems plaguing the Russian space program - an effort which the National Post notes “has been hampered by a brain drain and a steady erosion of engineering and quality standards.” While the cause of the “Angara” failure is still unknown, it has clearly struck a raw nerve in the Kremlin, with Russian President Vladimir Putin ordering Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to launch a full investigation into the incident.

June 28:

In a sign of Russia's waning influence in the CIS, Ukraine and Georgia have both signed economic and political cooperation agreements with the European Union. Australia’s ABC News reports Russia’s deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin as saying that the move would bring "grave consequences," including the Russian withdrawal of certain economic benefits such as duty-free treatment. The threat comes as Russia's support of separatist elements in Eastern Ukraine continues to draw the ire of Western leaders, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel threatening "drastic measures" if Russia does not do its part to bring peace to the region.

June 29:

Russia's government "will not remain passive" in the face of mounting Islamic militancy in Iraq, the Arab Newsreports Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as warning. Ryabkov, in Damascus to meet with beleaguered Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, a key Russian client, has signaled that Moscow will act to prevent "the attempts by some groups to spread terrorism in the region" - a reference to the growing power of the Sunni militant group ISIS, as well as to jihadist forces fighting the Assad regime.

June 30:

Ahead of a planned tour of Latin America, Russian President Vladimir Putin appears bullish about the prospects for an expansion of Moscow’s ties to Buenos Aires. MercoPress reports Putin has termed Argentina as one of Russia’s “key partners” in the region - with whom he plans to “lay the groundwork for joint mutually beneficial projects in energy, including civilian nuclear technologies, machine building and military-technological cooperation” during his upcoming visit to the South American state in mid-July.

President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law criminalizing the act of inciting, financing, organizing, or otherwise supporting “extremist activities,” The Moscow Times reports. The law extends to the internet where an individual reposting or liking “extremist” materials could face punishment up to eight years in prison and a $14,700 fine. Russia’s official media watchdog Rozkomnador wields the authority to determine what constitutes “extremist activities.”

Despite pressure from Western countries, France has not stopped its $1.6 billion Mistral warship sale to Russia. France is moving forward with the sale, The Moscow Times reports, and by doing so is contributing to a much-needed economic recovery in Russia and helping maintain positive economic and military relations with the Kremlin. Many in the West have decried this as a “political victory for Russia” - one that will help Russia “to undermine Eastern European governments that aspire to be modern, European democracies.”