The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world with an area of 17 million square kilometers. With it's vast amount of natural resources and potential for economical expansion it could become the most powerful nation in the world, a Superpower. But the corruption is crippling the economical growth of the state, a problem that must be taken care of as soon as possible.
In 20 March 2003, USA invades Iraq to overthrow the dictatorial regime of Saddam. The Russian government issues a direct condemnation of the invasion with president Vladimir Putin saying: "If we allow international law to be replaced by the law of the fist, then one of the main principles of international law, the principle of the inviolability of the sovereignty of states, will be thrown into question"
Also, the former USSR leader, Mikhail Gorbachev called the U.S. action "an attempt to teach a lesson to all other states and shows that the U.S. administration is trying to make the world its own province."
By April 20, US and British forces in Iraq occupy Iraq and declare that the operation was a complete sucsess.
Following the invasion of Iraq by US forces, the 3 most influential states that condemned the invasion, Russia, Germany and France create the axis Paris-Berlin-Moscow, a diplomatic alliance against US imperialism.
In January 5, 2004, the Russian Navy sells the old aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov to India for a price of 2.35 billion dollars. The ship was renamed INS Vikramaditya. This deal improves Russian-Indian diplomatic relations and defence cooperation.
The Georgian presidential elections of 2004 esult in a victory of Mikheil Saakashvili, leader of the United National Movement, he secured 96% of the votes. The results of the elections are not well received in Moskow since Saakashvili is not pro-russian and could put an end to good diplomatic relations.
And this happens in January 5 when the Georgian government revokes military access of the russian armed forces.
Russia intensifies it's weapons export towards countries in the Middle East, Africa and Indochina to increase the revenues. This move was very criticised by USA and EU.
2004 Russian Presidential Elections
In March 15, the russian presidential elections came up, the 2 main candidates were Vladimir Putin of the United Russia party and Nikolay Kharitonov of the Communist Party of Russia (Agrarian Party of Russia was merged into CPR structure)
The results are staggering, Nikolay Kharitonov wins the elections by securing 56% of the votes. Rapid accusation of fraud are made by members of the United Russia.
On 18 March, approximately 15,000–20,000 protesters demonstrated in Novy Arbat street against perceived fraud, the police intervened and dispersed the protesters.
Nikolay Kharitonov, president of Russia
After the communists were in power, legislative reforms and constitutional changes were made to completely secure their victoy and lead the Russian Federation to a greater and better future.
Heavy Industries were slowly being nationalized, economical idelogy was moving towards a planned economy.
In June, Chief of Staff Anatolyi Kvashnin starts his massive project of modernising and strengthening the Russian Armed Forces. Most of the russian quipment is now made of obsolete Soviet era equipment, new armored personnel carriers and main battle tanks must be built to replace the old ones. Also, recruiting campaigns are posted all over the country.
4 new tank divisions are being produced, all equiped with latest mbt's and self propelled artillery brigades
Russian T-90 main battle tank
In November 22, The Ukraininan Orange Revolution starts after Viktor Yanukovych, a pro-russian won the presidential elections. The Russian governement backed Yanukovych.
After the revote ordered by Ukrainian Supreme Court, Viktor Yushchenko is declared winner.
Many say that if Yanukovych was declared winner after the revote, the country would have been thrown into a civil war.
Armed Forces Report
The Russian Ground Forces expanded to almost 1 million personnel
The Russian Air Force
The Russian Navy (note that BB are battlecruisers, BC are amphibious assault ships, CA are cruisers, CL are destroyers and DD are frigates)
In August 19, 2005 the joint Russian-Chinese military exercise named Peace Mission 2005 takes place Shandong Peninsula.