Wanderer IIIc

Russia in Brief

• The population of Russia is about 320.000.000.
• The population consists mainly of caucasians, there are some people of slavic origin and the fenno-ugrian people of Siberia have all been massacred except for the Uigurs, who with the aid of their strong shaman, Verner, have survived through all kinds of disasters through many milennia.
• The economic situation of Russia is quite good, especially because of the economic crisis and inflation in the EU, when all kinds of products were deliverd to the EU internal market through Finland. Because of this both Russia and Finland got a whole lot richer.
• The Russian technology has remained in a big and clumsy level, though it has developed during the last fifty years. Because of the co-operation between Russia and ZPG Lunar technology can be productively used also on Earth, even though it cannot be used publicly. In practice the Russian technology is quite efficient but very uneconomical.
• The employment situation in Russia is fairly good, in corporate suburbs. Co-operation with ZPG has helped to give the countrys economy a slight boost.
• Ministry of Economy is the actual 'government' in Russia. The leader of ministry is the Commissar of Economics and the ministry has very good relations and strong co-operation with ZPG. The current commissar is Lev Feodorovitch Lesovoi, who rules the country with an iron fist. He is a bald older man known for his extremely strict way of ruling in both internal and external politics.
• The official level of education in Russia has risen, from the high numbers of late 20th Century, to even higher. That is assumed to be due official statistics have changed to reflect only lower middle class and upwards and because of close co-operarion with the Corporations.
• The fragmentation of Russia has continued until today, especially at the border-areas. China has conquered big parts of Siberia. In the 2010´s Russia changed its form of government to a unique form, which is actually lead by the Ministry of Economics. The formal goverment is the Duma.
• The nature of Russia is in a bad shape. Natural resources have been used up, destroyed, spoiled or exported from everywhere except the corporate-owned test-areas. They prefer to do all tests that destroy nature outside of their own home ground.
• Russia is still mainly Orthodox-Christian. 65% of the population belongs to the Orthodox churc, though this is mainly due the fact that in many corporate areas it's not allowed to not belong to Church. Church has become an ally for the Corporations. Minority religions suffer in Russia. Moslem.

History: From past to present

In early 21st Century Russia skyrocketed while Europe had it's hard times due unrest and local problems. In Russia the income differencies continues to grow and it became more and more evident that Russia is heading to similar system that existed in the times of Russian Empire prior 1917. Eg. Very few had incredible amounts of money and most didn't have anything.

Due very successfull internal politics, only few riots about the issue were seen in Early 21st Century. Russia was governed by persons like Putin, who were popular among the people. even though the majority of money and investments went to the elite. And the tough men turned to even tougher, one after another. All resistance was systematically removed.

Russia became quite totalitary controlled by mid 2020's, at which time Russian Corporations started to lead rebellion against the controlling elite. It would have failed, but naturally many of the elite actually owned large parts of these corporations and also the organized crime noticed that the variant of government Corporation people were trying to achieve was only good for them. So was born the unholy alliance of corporations and the organized crime.

As the average person also saw that this is a way of progress, it became very quickly and almost without bloodshed the ruling new system. The new system was genuinely names:"New Duma". It was close to 'Perestroikka' in early 1990's when big changes happened last time in Russian society.

2020 to 2030's were also the age of change in politics, as

• in 2022 after conflicts that had lasted for over a decade Japan conquers all of the islands South of Sakhalin and in return Russia fires a single Nuclear Missile to Nagasaki. World Government and other countries count this to be 'internal problem between Russia and Japan'. A peace treaty is signed soon after. Some 700.000 japanese and some 50.000 Russians died in conflict.
• in the 2020's Russia and Greater Finland also started some very lucrative co-operation efforts, such as Space Station 9. Such co-operation brings money and power to both sides. All rivalries are buried, but not forgotten entirely.
• in 2023 the first Russian Moon City, Lunagrad, was founded.
• in mid-2020's Russia had several political and military skirmishes with bordering countries in the East and South borders.
• by 2030 most of russia army was professional army, cybered up to maximum. Cybernetic research and development was done with aid of Russian army and Corporations.
• in 2032 Russia bought Alaska from US. It has been rumored that the money didn't come from Russian government treasury.

After turbulent 2020's and 30's Russia had established a strong foothold in space. It has became once again a military might (first time since early 1990's). This was mostly due the heavy cybertization of whole army. In all other countries cybernetics were regulated by laws. That was not the case in Russia.

By 2040 Russia has conquered Mongolia and some parts of Northern China, but lost large areas in the South, specially around Chechenya. Belarussia had joined Russia, once again. All in all, changes were small if you compare Russia in early 20th Century and 2050. The largest change in geography was that some areas, which were not 'so useable' were sold to Corporations which used those areas as they see fit. The government had no say-so on what was happening, but that was the price they were willing to pay for the support these Corporations provided. The constant skirmishes with Chinese consumed both lives and money. Mongolia became the area of conflict and changed ownership frequently.

After this change toward more Corporate friendly government a new 'middleclass' emerged rapidly. Russia got 'the corporate employees' which were priviledged middle class people. The new order was very hierarchical and class limits were quite strict. For instance a Corporate person lived in Corporate suburb, had a possibility to go out to meet low life friends and relatives, but there was no going back without permission. Permission was given only very seldom. The life in Corporate suburbs, however, was nice and comfortable so people didn't complain that much.

In 2051 the situation is pretty much the same as late 2030's, with the exception that the actual megacorporations have had very strong foothold in Russia. Many big corporations have bought large parts of Russia for their private endeavours. Russia has benefitted, as the megacorps have paid very large amounts of money from the privacy and from the fact that no-one asks questions.

The life outside Corporate Suburbs had became very hard. There were hardly no jobs in there and very soon different mob gangs controlled most of these areas of poverty. The country side was organized once again as larger combinats which produced something. The combinats were in close control of mob groups, which exchanged the products with Corporations. Food to drugs etc.

No one really cared what happened to the poorest, as long as you were not among them. Slavery, blackmarket organ sales and other side effects of the situation emerged. Still due well controlled media and support of vast majority of people, situation was accepted.

Religion

In the Communistic era the Religion was forbidden, but when the winds of change blowed, religion got new life. Priests were given status that they use to have in late 19th Century. They were valued and religion took it's position with help of organized crime. Mob gangs very often also religious groups, either Islamistic or Orthodox. Some jewish groups also raised, but were mostly slain by the Orthodox groups.

By 2020's religious groups were back in power. They got donations from organized crime, they were back in politics. They were also funded by the Corporations. All this to keep the masses in control. It was very effective and cost effective way for the crime organizations and corporations alike to keep masses quiet by giving them well planned 'religious message'.

Many distorted versions, sects, were founded. Some of the most extreme cults and sects were leading the people to all possible weirdness in the name of the Holy One. Many died, many were snet to prisons when the power balance tilted in 2030's. Cults and Sects loose most of their followers as Corporations named acceptable religions. Orthodox Church got money and influence in urban areas, where as cults and sects went underground and/or moved to less populated areas. Islam raised it's head in South. It became eviden that religious groups would fight for the 'souls' some day in this world, using something more than power of the Word.

Each religious group started to make alliances with groups that would be able to protect them. Many organized crime groups allied with either Islamic movements or with the Orthodox Church. The government saw this to be only good thing. Since 2040's all Churches have had armed guards and security check before entrance. And all attentats are done in the name of the God. Death has joined people from different ranks and hierarchical levels to fight against the other religious groups.

In 2046 in Dagestan the big battle between Orthodox Corporate forces (backed up by ZPG and Necrosoft) against the Islamic Brothers (backed up by Turkey and European Califate). Battle was short, but intense. In couple of days the islamic forces are destroyed and most of Dagestan is demolished in process. The cost of this 'victory' to Orthodox forces was even tighter control of 'religious message' from the Corporation side. The Church became just another mean for the Corporations to control the masses. And the leading figures of the Church were again accepted to the 'elite'.
Islam was forbidden in many places. Many of the leading islamistic figures were sent to prison camps around Siberia. European Califate and Russia were in verge of war, but the Corporations decided that it's not good for their interests to have such war and denied all aid to both sides, if a war would take place. It didn't. The Corporations were so well established in the Russian government, that they pretty much were able to say what was acceptable and desireable.

Politics

The politics in Russia has not developed a lot since early 21st Century. The politics is still mostly money regulated and strictly controlled. The ones who have too radical views are to be disposed. The only exception is if you have money, then you can also have views and opinions. For the average person the politics hasn't changed at all. Politicians are still elite and they have their own world full of priviledges. It does not reflect the normal life of normal people at all.

One could say that in Russia politicians are all backed up by an external factor, whether it's a Corporation or Mobgroup. Such occasions as 'independent politicians' seldom exist, at least not for long. Political parties are infact coalitions formed by corporations. The largests and most well known parties are:

• Friends of Russia - A group with large support in corporation areas. It promotes safe and secure living with Corporations. Low taxes and good security for Middleclass and up is the message. Friends of Russia does have it's own security force, which they use to push 'low life scum' from areas they 'need'.
• The Left Wing - The message of this party resembles quite a lot of what nazis had in Germany in 1930's. They are strictly agains all people moving in to Russia, Chinese and Moslems. The Left Wing could have be known as a terrorist group in some other time and in some other place, but in Russia it seems to create just the uncertainity, havoc and chaos that the Corporations need. It's rumored that The Left Wing is actually only a cover-up of some Mega Corporation.
• People's Party - The only party which is targeting to make things better for the poor people. Does have very large back up from poor people of slums. Is well connected to some organized crime groups. The political leaders seem to have much better life, thus struggle to became People's Party representative usually leads even murders.
• It has also been rumored that underground Communist party which is strongly against Corporations exist. That party is rumored to have connections to islamistic groups. All group members are severely punished if caught. Connections to China are rumored as well.

The current goverment system in 2051 is precisely as it use to be in the first years of 21st Century, except that corporations, mafia(s) and other instances influence decision making even more.

Mafia

There's no such thing as mafia in Russia, officially. In real life everyone knows that many activities are run by a mafia. Mafias have very strong control on far-away regions and in certain industries, like tobacco, drugs, alcohol, pimping and entertainment industries. The latest area where mafia is advancing is medicine and healthcare industry. It's also a known fact that in slums, pretty much everything is controlled by mob groups. However, to normal people living in such areas Mafia is invisible. It's life as usual; just some entrepreneurs doing their business.

There're no single entity which would be known as the Russian Mafia. Instead there're ~20-25 larger groups of organized crime, which all run also some legal cover operations. Usually those operations include legitimate industrial institutions, research facilities and in many cases also banks. The relations between these mafias vary very much, depending on the time and circumstances. <(p>

Occasional disposals of some mafia related persons are known to happen and no-one is surprised when that happens. The most known and largest mafias are:

• Yakutsk Minerals - The legal front of this mafia is mining industry. The central location is Yakutsk, which is a city in the middle of nowhere. The sign of this Mob group is 'Y'. It's known to be ally of many other mafias instead of actively trying to punish others. It has grown due the fact that it hasn't engaged in to combat since 2045. This is the record between any Mob groups in Russia. Yakutsk Minerals has made some deals with ZPG; mutual protection pact has been speculated to exist, but no one really knows. Yakutsk Minerals does not have an army, but some 1200 trained and armed guards in their facilities.
• The Moscow Mafia - The most violent and best armed of all groups. This is the group that most resemble of army or very well organized terrorist group. Controls Moscow suburbs with iron hand. Is very much scared, both among other groups and specially among the people living in the areas controlled by Moscow Mafia. Has managed to get rid of all competing groups by killing, butchering and slaughtering. The leader is known as 'Monster Ivan', who seem to enjoy torturing and killing. Is known fugitive in most of world and wanted. Lives in North Moscow, but all attempts to catch this guy have ended up in bloodbath. Moscow Mafia never negotiates of alliances. They simply crush the ones which try to defy their orders. Group is cordially hated by all other mob groups. The reason for good armament is that this group was founded by an army general (Ivan) who took his officers with him, including all military items they could muster. Moscow Mafia has it's own army of more than 8000 man and very powerfull assault vehicles. It's also rumored that Moscow Mafia would have nuclear and chemical weapons at their disposal.
• Immigrant Mafia - This group is lead by unknown group of immigrants from somewhere. This group is widely known and not only because it's criminal organization, but it has actually donated plenty of money for poor people and there's very strong backup from poor people in St. Petersburg and Southern Russia for this group. Immigrant mafia does have professional army of ~2000 soldiers and some assault vehicles. The training post is Sistoresk, close to St. Petersburg.
  The money for this group seems to come from usual sources, like drugs and narcotics, but no one really knows much about the organization. Much is said, but very little seems to be confirmed information.

Other groups are more or less limited in size and equipment. Other groups also do not have country wide impact. These three groups divide some 40% of illegal money estimated to flow in in Russia yearly.

It's estimated that orginized crime employs some 1% of population of Russia. The estimated money flow through the organized crime groups is very close to yearly budget of the Russian government.

Organized crime groups are all in business relations with Corporations, which have very strong control on the politics.

Laws

Russia has remained as the country where the punishments are very, very strict and hard. The only exception is if you have enough leverage from your employer, laws don't apply to you. Thus the politicians, highest crime lords and especially the Corporate Executives have adopted new life style, where nothing really matters. They act as they'd be the God themselves and to be honest, they are not that far from it.

The concept of impartial justice has long forgotten, when it concerns the real elite. To everyone else it really is impartial and fair, but harsh and strict.

Death penalty haven't been very actively applied, though it's again possible.

The age of concent was removed from the law in 2020's. Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, cybernetics and bionics are all sold to everyone who has money. The idea is to keep masses happy and stoned for most of the time.

Posession of illegal drugs, unlicensed weapons of any sort or not having your passport with you are all punishable by 6 mo in prison. To make justice swift and effetive, the police has legal rights to give such prison sentencies all the way up to 6 mo and execute them instantly.

Homicide, rape and other more violent crimes usually lead to some years of forced labour or big fines, naturally depending of who you are.

Terrorism is one of the few things, that might lead to death penalty. Death penalty is executed in Moscow only. The method is selected in random. The penalty is televisioned and is very popular show.

Naturally it's worth of keeping in mind, that the governmental 'cops' are not that well paid and thus corruption is widely spread among regular cops. This is not, however, true with the Corporate guards, cops and paramilitary troops which have quite good compensation and usually very rigid sense of duty. Trying to bribe corporate guard usually leads to a swift punishment.

Daily life

The daily life of average Igor in 2050's in Russia is full of nothing. Employment is priviledge of few. Most people are using their time for television, alcohol, drugs and in gangs. The life is not restricted in suburbs and slums, with the exception that you will have to present documents when ever you'll walk outside your neighbourhood. Money rules the country, unless you have a thick stack of Euroyenis (EY) you'll have nothing and you're worthless.

The news in 2050's cover pretty much everything you want to know and usually some more. The unfortunate thing is that 'independent' news have long forgotten. The news channels are all owned or at least controlled by Corporations or Goverments. So, the easiest way to find impartial information would be the Web and the web newspapers. In general news channels, all of them, offer way too much depressive news for average Igor. You can watch those only after bottle of Vodka, the national drink of Russia. Vodka still remains to be the cheapest and most used drink in Russia. Even Evian Water is way more expensive than Vodka. The price of vodka is intentionally kept low by government and corporate backups.

Music plays an important role, as the most famous bands are allowed to tour from slum to slum and if they really get famous, they'll be able to enter even foreign countries. Music is the way to the Heaven. In every slum, there're dozens of bands, practising what ever type of music they'd think would be the 'next hit'. Lately the 'NeoSoviet' type of music alongside with classic russian themes played using wild and varying styles have been the 'latest hit'.

Slums

Army areas

Second poorest areas right after slum are the areas controlled by the army and government. Those account to some 50% of land in Russia. That area is in strict control of current regime. It produces food, suppliea and infrastructure services for whole country. In there the situation haven't changed that much from the Stalinistic era. The fact is that you'll hear from upwards what you're supposed to do and doing anything else is not really allowed.

Corporate Suburbs

Life in corporate suburbs varies from your rank, but it can be anything between almost comfortable to very luxurious. It's however always more safe than anywhere else. The people living in corpote suburbs have wide variety of entertainment choices, relative safety, personal cars, practically everything that you'll find in any other modern and well developed place. But as a downside, the corporate suburbs are scarce and usually not that close to each other. Unless you travel by air, you'll have to travel through army areas, slums and in worst cases through wastelands. Even if you'll have heavy escort, it might be dangerous. That has caused the latest hit to be 'prolehunting', a hobby for the rich. Almost all big prolehunting games in the World are organized in Russia. The hunting areas are usually the slums of some larger cities, though some advertisement companies do sell 'hunt in whole town' big league scenarios as well.

Wastelands

In Russia there're some areas which are inhabitable due different waste problems, nuclear fallout areas, chemical or toxic waste dump areas, old abandoned industry areas and so on. Those will sum up to 1-2% of whole Country. Those areas are deserted and everyone who want to do something totally beyound the law, will go in to those areas. Most are not deadly poisonous, but no one really knows which are and which are not...

Corporate areas

Quite large portion of Russia has been sold to various Corporations. In those areas the laws are done by the Corporations themselves and same goes for all other things. One could say that those areas are not anymore part of Russia, though none of those areas has declared independency. All events happenin in Corporate areas will concern only the Corporate Guards, not the local police nor anyone else in the Government. Usually people try to ignore the existence of Corporate areas. Most are not even marked in maps and most are in secluded areas somewhere far a way.

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