ID's from Satter's "Darkness at Dawn"

AUGUST 12, 2000 – Russian naval exercises end with an accident aboard the Kurst (the Russian's most prized submarine, which led to the sinking of the Kurst. The Russian military had no rescue divers or other rescue units and did not ask for help from foreign countries, and in fact, refused help from the United States, Great Britain, and Norway. AUGUST 16, 2000 – President Clinton calls Putin (who was on vacation during the entire ordeal) and Putin orders naval officials to accept foreign help. AUGUST 19, 2000 – Norwegian government arrives with rescue divers and other rescue efforts. Sub found to be flooded. All sailors on board the submarine had died. SIGNIFICANCE: Showed the discrepancies of Russian military technology. Led to the people's opinion that the Russian military was more worried about saving military secrets than saving the lives of their sailors. Putin learned not to stay on vacation when there was an ongoing tragedy.

SEPTEMBER 22, 1999 – Bomb scare in Ryazan apartment building. Building evacuated and bomb found in the basement. Those involved work for FSB (Federal Security Service). FSB claims it was only a training exercise, but not widely believed. SIGNIFICANCE: Furthered the people's suspicion of the government. Also interesting to note that three days after the broadcast of the FSB's televised “question and answer” meeting, Putin (former head of the FSB) was elected President, and it is said that corrupt elites in the government needed “another war capable of propelling Putin into the presidency in order to save their corrupt wealth”

PRIVATIZATION: The transfer of state owned assets to private individuals through auctions, vouchers, and loans. “Unofficial privatization occurred before the official privitization period which included government officials taking over and privatizing organizations and agencies, while collecting the profits. SIGNIFICANCE: Did not really increase the wealth of the general population, as much of the assets,especially the most important ones ended up in the hands of select individuals, businessmen, and nomenklatura (elite group within the ruling class and other important positions.), which only led to further corruption within the government.

DECEMBER 31, 1999 – Resignation of Boris Yeltsin, Putin appointed as acting President. SIGNIFICANCE: First peaceful handover of power in Russian history.

JANUARY 2, 1992 – Hyperinflation begins in the Russian economy, as prices are supposed to increase on 3-5x and then fall, but actually increase by 25-30x. SIGNIFICANCE: Increased the “wealth gap” in Russian society, as the general populations loses all savings, and the elite used it to create a profit for themselves. Increases criminal activity in Russia.

AUGUST 1998 – Economic crash – Government devalued currency, defaulted on treasury bills, announced moratorium on commercial debt repayment. SIGNIFICANCE: Among other things, the economic crisis caused Yeltsin's approval rating to fall to the low single digits, paving the way for Putin.

MARCH 26, 2000 – Russian Presidential elections: Putin elected President. SIGNIFICANCE: No major change made to fight against corruption, and corruption continues.