Russia

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Russia (俄罗斯)
Alias(es)	“Big Goose”
First Appearance	119

History

Post-Soviet decline

Following the dissolution of the Former Soviet Union, Russia retained extensive territory, natural resources, technical talent, and industrial foundations, but suffered social unrest, economic stagnation, capital shortages, and a major outflow of skilled workers. Its internet sector missed its initial period of growth, while its economy became heavily dependent on oil, natural gas, and metals. 246 446 870

The country’s post-collapse privatization period produced powerful oligarchs, many of whom accumulated wealth through energy or finance. Old-generation oligarchs became widely disliked by the public for acquiring national assets cheaply during the chaotic years. 460 797 1002

Russia was portrayed as militarily weakened by a lack of funding for conventional modernization, with strategic weapons remaining its principal deterrent against stronger powers. 868

Political and economic resurgence

Mikhail’s rise coincided with a major shift in Russia’s political and economic direction. After entering the Duma as its youngest deputy, he pushed for investment in automobiles, semiconductors, aviation, internet services, infrastructure, energy, and regional development rather than reliance on raw-resource exports alone. 371 446 458 460

His policies helped revive domestic industry, expand Russia’s diplomatic influence, and establish closer economic ties with neighboring states. Russia joined the World Trade Organization on October 20 after extensive negotiations and Duma approval. 1098 1117

By 2009, Russia’s GDP was stated to have reached US$2.9 trillion, with per-capita GDP exceeding US$20,000; Mikhail declared the country an “emerging developed nation” in a nationally televised address. 1175

Twenty years after Mikhail first took office, Russia had become a superpower. Its GDP had quadrupled, per-capita GNP ranked among highly developed nations, and its overall economy ranked second globally behind an Asian country. 1180

Government and Politics

Institution / Force	Role
Kremlin	Russia’s central power center, directing major state policy, appointments, security affairs, and diplomacy. 243 1098
State Duma	National legislature with 450 seats; approves major agreements and serves as a central arena for factional competition. 809 1098
Economic Committee	Influential Duma body responsible for shaping economic direction; Mikhail later becomes its chairman. 446 869
Collective Security Organization	Regional security organization used to coordinate military and peacekeeping operations among allied states. 1011 1136
Security Service	One of Russia’s major power agencies; Korokoli becomes its director during a major government reshuffle. 1098
Ministry of Defense	Oversees military affairs; Shoigu becomes minister during the same reshuffle. 1098
Ministry of Internal Affairs	Major domestic security and police institution; its leadership is a key prize in factional maneuvering. 1097 1098

Political factions

Russia’s political landscape is shaped by competing factions rather than a unified ruling bloc. The Kremlin-associated faction seeks cooperation with Europe and the United States while prioritizing national interests; Mikhail’s faction emphasizes pragmatism, domestic development, and closer integration with neighboring Slavic states. 903

The Moscow Faction is associated with liberals and older oligarchs, while the Monarchist Russian Faction draws support from those seeking a revival of Russian imperial prestige under Rosiana’s Romanov lineage. 903

Rosiana later absorbs the Moscow Faction’s influence while serving as acting governor of Moscow Oblast, expanding the royalist faction’s power. 976

Economy

Economic structure

Russia possesses extensive energy and mineral resources, a strong inherited industrial base, and significant human capital. However, its economy initially lacks major internationally competitive corporations outside resource extraction and finance. 446 460 870

Sector	Development
Energy	Oil and natural gas are Russia’s traditional economic pillars. Gazprom holds a monopoly over natural gas, while Yukos is a major oil group. 479
Automobiles	The Russian Automobile Industry Group revives Volvo, Land Rover, and Jaguar; the three brands sell more than one million vehicles in 2006. 1117
Aviation	Russia consolidates major manufacturers into the United Aircraft Manufacturing Group and begins a China–Russia large-aircraft project. 458 1117
Internet	Polar Bear Investment Company acquires MAIL.RU and Yandex, consolidating the Russian-language internet sector. 268
Semiconductors	Domestic wafer-chip production is prepared as part of a broader industrial-development strategy. 1049 1175
Tourism and gaming	Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Yalta receive major hotel, tourism, and casino investment. 227 268
Agriculture	Considered strategically vital to national security; Russia resists unrestricted foreign access to its agricultural market during WTO negotiations. 1081

Economic indicators

Period	Indicator
Early 2000s	Moscow residents’ average incomes reportedly triple as infrastructure, metro lines, roads, and high-rise construction expand. 1117
Global economic crisis period	GDP surpasses US$1.18 trillion, ranks tenth globally, and records 23% growth. 1120
2009	GDP reaches US$2.9 trillion, with 45% growth and per-capita GDP above US$20,000. 1175
Twenty years after Mikhail takes office	GDP is four times higher than at the start of his presidency; Russia is a superpower and highly developed by per-capita GNP. 1180

Industrial modernization

Mikhail’s industrial strategy uses state spending, foreign investment, and domestic conglomerates to reduce dependence on energy exports. Major Japanese automakers establish Russian production facilities, while Samsung receives investment on the condition that it build large Russian manufacturing bases for phones, computers, displays, and related products. 1117 1174

Russia’s improved business environment, infrastructure spending, and export sectors—including energy, metals, automobiles, and semiconductor wafers—support rapid growth. 1175

Society and Culture

Russia is depicted as possessing a highly educated population and strong traditions in science, engineering, mathematics, medicine, literature, and art. The country reportedly maintains the world’s highest proportion of citizens with higher education. 246 870

STEM education receives substantial support, and scientists, physicists, and mathematicians are treated as public idols. The Mathematical Olympiad is noted as having originated in the Soviet Union in 1934. 246

The country is ethnically diverse, containing more than one hundred ethnic groups. Its political culture is presented as comparatively inclusive toward ethnicity and ancestry, with Rosiana arguing that Russian identity is not determined solely by ethnic background. 833

Foreign Relations

Eastern Europe and regional integration

Russia seeks to restore its regional influence through the Collective Security Organization and the Mikhail Plan, an economic cooperation framework combining security arrangements, investment, market access, and mutual aid. 1006 1011

After mediating the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, Russia secures Armenia and Azerbaijan’s participation in both organizations. The settlement assigns people to Armenia, land to Azerbaijan, and relocation costs to Russia. 1011

Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and several Central Asian states later sign agreements opening markets and waiving tariffs on most goods. Russia benefits disproportionately due to its more complete industrial system and stronger economy. 1117

Ukraine and Belarus

Russia advances a formal Russia–Ukraine integration process under Mikhail’s leadership, framing it as cooperation among Slavic brother nations. Ukraine’s leadership supports closer cooperation, while Belarus is portrayed as among Russia’s most dependable regional partners. 1077 1079

• Ukraine — Signs the Agreement on Advancing the Russia–Ukraine Integration Process and later joins the Collective Security Organization. 1011 1077
• Belarus — A staunchly pro-Russia state with close political ties to Moscow. 1079
• Armenia and Azerbaijan — Join Russia-led security and economic arrangements after the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement. 1011
• Georgia — Its conflict in South Ossetia prompts a Collective Security Organization peacekeeping response designed to reinforce Russia’s regional authority. 1136

Relations with the West

Russia initially seeks closer ties with Europe and the United States, including possible integration with European institutions. These efforts repeatedly fail to produce the expected reciprocity. 903 1080

NATO’s expansion into the Baltic states is treated as a direct strategic threat. In response to later provocations, Russia deploys a heavily armored mechanized division and Iskander-equipped strategic missile force to Kaliningrad. 866 868

Security and Military Affairs

Russia supports Wagner Security Company as an overseas proxy force, supplying it with personnel, heavy military equipment, and a base in Crimea. Wagner’s members are largely recruited from retired special-forces units. 328

Wagner develops a semi-official status through its association with Mikhail and the Kremlin, allowing it to acquire equipment with few restrictions. 673

Mikhail later establishes the Tsar’s Guard as a second security company to counterbalance Wagner’s influence. The new force is sent to the Middle East for combat experience. 1115

A major reshuffle places Shoigu at the Ministry of Defense, Yevrogen at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Korokoli at the Security Service, reshaping control over Russia’s principal power agencies. 1098

Notable Leaders and Figures

• Mikhail — Businessman, Duma leader, industrial strategist, and eventual Kremlin leader whose policies drive Russia’s economic and geopolitical resurgence. 1164 1175 1180
• Putin — Mikhail’s godfather and former Kremlin leader; supports Mikhail’s rise while treating him as a potential successor. 668 842
• Gebliev — Kremlin chief administrator and influential intermediary between Mikhail, the Kremlin, and major political factions. 243 597
• Rosiana — Romanov heir, Mikhail’s fiancée, governor of Moscow Oblast, and leader within the rising royalist movement. 842 976
• Shoigu — Senior security official who becomes Minister of Defense and supports Wagner’s development as a state proxy. 328 1098
• Korokoli — Political ally of Mikhail who becomes Director of the Security Service. 490 1098
• Medvedev — Prime minister and major political contender whose growing influence reshapes factional balances. 1096 1098
• Khovchenko — Old-generation oligarch, founder of Yukos, and Mikhail’s adoptive uncle. 119 987