Post-Soviet Russia
Learn about post-Soviet Russia — its turbulent transition from communism, the rise of Putin, and its reassertion of power on the global stage.
The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 left Russia diminished, disoriented, and in economic freefall. Under Boris Yeltsin, the country attempted a rapid transition to market capitalism through 'shock therapy' — privatization that enriched a small oligarchic class while plunging millions into poverty. Life expectancy dropped, crime soared, and the Chechen wars exposed the fragility of the new Russian state. For many Russians, the 1990s represented humiliation and chaos.
Vladimir Putin's rise to power in 2000 marked a decisive shift. Benefiting from rising oil prices, Putin restored economic stability, reasserted central authority, and cultivated nationalist pride. He progressively curtailed press freedom, marginalized opposition, and concentrated power. Many Russians accepted these trade-offs in exchange for order and prosperity after the turbulent Yeltsin years.
Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 shattered the post-Cold War European security order and drew international condemnation and sanctions. These actions reflected Putin's view that the West had exploited Russian weakness and that Russia must reassert its sphere of influence. The conflict has redrawn global alliances, accelerated European defense integration, and raised fundamental questions about the future of international law and great-power politics.