Brig presents a comprehensive overview of Russian politics in October 2024, including the war in Ukraine, domestic policy, and public sentiment.
October 2: Russian troops take control of Vuhledar
Russian forces have completely captured the Eastern city of Vuhledur, with Ukrainian forces ordering their troops to withdraw.
Many Ukrainian troops evacuated Vuhledar, suffering heavy casualties from Russian drones and artillery.
The situation deteriorated further as Russian forces severed the last evacuation route, complicating supply and rescue efforts. After two and half years of war, Vuhledar’s population has declined from 14,000 to just 100.
October 14: Russia jails French Researcher
A Moscow court has sentenced French researcher Laurent Vinatier to three years in a penal colony for failing to register as a foreign agent- violating Russian law. Vinatieri was gathering information on Russia’s military for a Swiss NGO when he was arrested in June this year.
The 48-year-old was apologetic and expressed regret in court, claiming he was unaware of the registration requirement.
The French government reacted to the court’s decisions by asking for the immediate release of Vinatier and criticising his sentence as “extremely harsh”.
Cases like Vinatier highlight concerns over fundamental freedoms in Russia. The court dismissed a plea for a fine instead of imprisonment, stating that the information Vinatier collected could potentially be used against Russia.
The 2012 law has been used by the Kremlin to suppress opposition to Putin and to detain foreigners.
October 18: North Korean troops enter the Ukraine War
South Korea’s intelligence agency reported that North Korea has sent around 1,500 troops to Russia, and this could reach 12,000. Ukrainian intelligence claims nearly 11,000 North Korean soldiers are training in Russian military bases in areas like Vladivostok and Khabarovsk.
By November 1, the soldiers will be expected to be deployed.
North Korea, already in a mutual defence pact with Russia, is allegedly supplying Russia with ammunition.
October 22-24: BRICS Summit
The 16th annual BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) was held in Kazan, Russia was the first to welcome new members Egypt, Iran and Ethiopia. According to the Tehran Times, the theme of the summit was: “Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security.”
Featured Image Credit: Edward Jewsbury.
I am a third-year Politics and Journalism Studies student at the University of Stirling (2022-) and a writer and sub-editor for the Brig for over a year (Nov. 2023-), focusing mainly on political topics.
