Ambulances are not able to reach all rural areas in Russia. Photo by RIA Novosti

LIVE UPDATES: Russia is spending more on defense than education and making cuts to health care, raising concerns about the health and welfare of the population.

Welcome to our column, Russia Update, where we will be closely following day-to-day developments in Russia, including the Russian government’s foreign and domestic policies.

The previous issue is here.

Recent Analysis and Translations:

Anna Politkovskaya’s Last Interview to the Regional Russian Press On Day of Her Murder

‘The Dirty Deeds of the Pentagon in Syria’: An Example of Russian Propaganda

– What Has Ramzan Kadyrov Been Up To? Quietly Cultivating Regional and Kremlin Officials, Now He Meets with Putin

– RBC Publishes Report Sourced in FSB and Military on Wagner Private Military Contractor with 2,500 Fighters in Syria

UPDATES BELOW