Meduza has launched a real-time map tracking the location and number of detentions as mass protests calling for the release of imprisoned opposition politician Aleksei Navalny begin.
As Putin's speech neared the one-hour mark, the number of detentions had passed 40 people, with Irkutsk leading the way with five.
Demonstrations are expected to be held in 188 cities nationwide.
Discussing details of proposed infrastructure development -- roads, urban bypasses, tourism sector, etc.
Says regional leaders must develop detailed infrastructure projects so that the federal government can help implement them. "You can't just run around waving maps," he says.
- By Mike Eckel
The fact that Putin mentioned climate change in his speech is interesting, but not necessarily for the reasons you might think.
Though rising global temperatures potentially could wreak havoc on Russia's economy (or even might give it a powerful jolt), the Kremlin hasn't really given much beyond lip service to the issue.
Speaking at an Arctic forum in 2017, Putin said that the goal is “not to stop it...because that’s impossible, since it could be tied to some global cycles on Earth or even on a planetary scale,” as opposed to human activity.
"The [goal] is to somehow adapt to it," he said.
Putin made similar remarks in December 2019, asserting that it is “very difficult, if even possible at all, to quantify mankind’s influence on global climate change.”
What's interesting about Putin mentioning it today is because in the coming days he'll be attending a virtual climate summit hosted by none other than the man who recently suggested that Putin was a "killer" -- U.S. President Joe Biden.
U.S.-Russian relations are unquestionably now at the lowest ebb they've been since the Cold War. Both the White House and the Kremlin are doing a bit of a diplomatic dance, trying to figure out who exactly their dance partner is, and what sort of moves he's capable of.
Biden has also proposed a full-blown summit with Putin himself -- a solo dance, as it were. Putin hasn't accepted the invitation though, in part because Biden's administration has hit Russia with major sanctions on two occasions, and is lining up more, if Russia's policies don't change.
Stay tuned.
Says central government is offering regions more and more forms of assistance for their development. Calls for modern highway from St. Petersburg to Moscow to Yekaterinburg to be built by 2024.
Says it is important the the nation's highways function as a single system for the development of all regions of the country.
Begins talking about rebuilding the tourism sector, mentions several "pilot projects" from Kaliningrad to Altai.
"Russia is a hospitable country that is open to our real friends," he says, noting the recent World Cup. Mentions "electronic visas."
Now begins talking "in conclusion" about the international situation. "Russia has its interests" and will defend them within the framework of international law, he says.