Russia's Political and Economic Transformation in the Post-Soviet Era

An exhibition drawing on the Moscow Times archive uses photographs to depict Russia's political and economic changes during the Yeltsin and Putin eras. It covers the chaotic transition of the 1990s, the 1993 parliamentary crisis and Russia-US relations.

Scraper SystemApril 22, 2026, 02:10 PM

Russia's Political and Economic Transformation in the Post-Soviet Era

On the fourth anniversary of its relocation to exile in the Netherlands, Moscow Times is presenting Russia's political and economic transformations in the post-Soviet period through a photo-archive exhibition titled "Back to the USSR: When Russia Took a Wrong Turn." The exhibition highlights daily life in Russia during the Yeltsin and Putin eras and the fragility of democracy and freedom of expression. The economic crisis of 1992 reflected the difficulties of breaking away from the Soviet system, while the 1993 parliamentary crisis became a critical turning point in Russia's shift from a parliamentary system to a presidential system. According to official figures, 124 people lost their lives in the clashes at the time, though some witnesses put the death toll higher. The exhibition also features major economic and political developments such as Putin's 2001 visit to support the US after 9/11, the collapse of the Yukos company and Renault's investment in AvtoVAZ. In Russia-US relations, the signing of the 2002 Moscow Treaty symbolised the two countries' efforts to reduce nuclear weapons. Garry Kasparov's political activism and cultural events in Moscow are also among the topics highlighted in the exhibition. The exhibition can be visited free of charge at the Localie Hub in Amsterdam until 10 June.