How has Russia’s invasion of Ukraine affected the situation in the Kaliningrad region? What is the background and what should we expect in the upcoming regional elections? Journalist and activist Roman Kolevatov provides answers

Why will the most unpopular governor of Saint Petersburg win the upcoming election? How is Beglov significant to the Kremlin and to Putin personally? Political observer Maksim Veselov discusses why Beglov serves as the role model of Putin’s clerk in our new series on elections.

How did “systemic parties” emerge in Russia? What makes a political party “systemic” in general? And why does Vladimir Putin’s regime still need them? Political researcher Fielding Mellish explores these questions

How can a deputy of the City Duma [the municipal parliament] help people? Why are trade unions so important for Russia? What will make sanctions a fairer political tool? Lawyer and politician Evgeny Stupin talks about his achievements and plans

On the night of 6 August, the Ukrainian army broke through the Russian border into the Kursk region

What is the meaning of clandestine electoral campaigns in Russia? Could the experiences of political struggle in other countries be adopted by Russian activists in the future? Activist and politician Ksenia Bezdenezhnykh on her electoral experience and workplace politics