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In Major Speech, Medvedev Urges Reforms

Russian President Dmitri A. Medvedev used his final state-of-the-nation address to outline extensive political reforms that, if implemented, would begin to deconstruct the heavily centralized government built by his mentor, Vladimir V. Putin.

(NYT) Moscow -—Dmitri A. Medvedev used his final state-of-the-nation address as Russia's president on Thursday to outline extensive political reforms that, if implemented, would begin to deconstruct the heavily centralized government built over the last decade by his mentor, Vladimir V. Putin.

The proposals, which included a return to the direct election of governors, increased oversight of expenditures by officials and the creation of an independent television station, were clearly meant to address some of the main complaints of a protest movement that has recently emerged as a significant challenge to the Kremlin.

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FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War

War, Corruption And The Overdue Demise Of Ukrainian Oligarchs

The invasion of Russia has forced Ukraine to confront a domestic enemy: corruption and economic control by an insular and unethical elite.

Photograph of three masked demonstrators holding black smoke lights.

May 21, 2021, Ukraine: Demonstrators hold smoke bombs outside the Appeal Court of Kyiv.

Olena Khudiakova/ZUMA
Guillaume Ptak

-Analysis-

KYIV — Since Russia’s invasion, Ukraine's all-powerful oligarchs have lost a significant chunk of their wealth and political influence. However, the fight against the corruption that plagues the country is only just beginning.

Stay up-to-date with the latest on the Russia-Ukraine war, with our exclusive international coverage.

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On the morning of September 2, several men wearing balaclavas and bullet-proof waistcoats bearing the initials "SBU" arrived at the door of an opulent mansion in Dnipro, Ukraine's fourth largest city. Facing them, his countenance frowning behind thin-rimmed glasses, was the owner of the house, the oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky.

Officers from the Ukrainian security services had come to hand him a "suspicion notice" as part of an investigation into "fraud" and "money laundering". His home was searched, and shortly afterwards he was remanded in custody, with bail set at 509 million hryvnias, or more than €1.3 million. A photo of the operation published that very morning by the security services was widely shared on social networks and then picked up by various media outlets.

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