Moscow
Russia re-nationalized a good chunk of its oil industry last week when the state oil company absorbed the oil production division of Yukos. The beleaguered private company has now been effectively dismantled. When the state investigation of Yukos began, 18 months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the company was being targeted because it owed billions in back taxes. But last month he said the state takeover was meant to make up for unspecified “injustices” that occurred during Russia’s wild transition from communism to capitalism. Critics said Putin was trying to punish Yukos owner Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who is now in jail for tax evasion, for getting involved in politics.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Democrats: How to rebuild a damaged brandFeature Trump's approval rating is sinking, but so is the Democratic brand
-
Unraveling autismFeature RFK Jr. has vowed to find the root cause of the 'autism epidemic' in months. Scientists have doubts.
-
'Two dolls': Can Trump sell Americans on austerity?Feature Trump's tariffs may be threatening holiday shelves but they've handed Democrats a 'huge gift'
