In 2024, President Vladimir Putin continued to tighten his hold on power while also attempting to mitigate Russia’s isolation from Western nations due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, his administration was not without difficulties, as it dealt with a significant attack by armed individuals in Moscow and an incursion from Ukrainian forces into Russian territory.
As Russia’s nearly three-year conflict in Ukraine progresses into a critical new phase, particularly with the advent of a new U.S. administration that has uncertain support for Kyiv, it’s important to reflect on the events that shaped the year for Putin.
In January, Putin launched a campaign for a fifth presidential term, facing no serious contenders due to his main rivals being jailed or exiled. A glimmer of defiance appeared when thousands of Russians braved freezing temperatures to sign petitions supporting Boris Nadezhdin, a 60-year-old legislator and vocal critic of the war. Although Nadezhdin managed to collect over 100,000 signatures to enter the election, election authorities ultimately ruled him out of contention. This episode exposed a growing anti-war sentiment and a public yearning for political choices, which proved to be an embarrassment for Putin.
The situation took a more severe turn in February when Alexei Navalny, a prominent opponent of Putin, died in prison on February 16 while serving a lengthy sentence for charges widely deemed politically motivated. His death at 47 sent shockwaves through the opposition and the international community, depriving it of one of its most influential figures. Though the cause of death was not disclosed, his family and supporters accused the Kremlin of complicity, a claim the government denied. A significant turnout of mourners attended his funeral in Moscow two weeks later, demonstrating public dissent against the regime.
By March, Putin secured a predictable victory in the presidential election, which will extend his presidency to 2030, amidst unprecedented crackdowns on dissent reminiscent of Soviet times. Just five days post-election, a devastating attack occurred when gunmen invaded a concert hall near Moscow, resulting in the deaths of over 140 people and igniting the venue. While an affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for this violence, the Kremlin attempted to shift blame toward Ukraine, causing public outrage and recalling memories of past terrorist attacks during Putin’s earlier years in power.
In June, Putin made a noteworthy trip to North Korea, the first such visit in 24 years, aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations as tensions with the United States escalated. The agreement established mutual military assistance in the event of an attack on either country and marked a significant alignment reminiscent of the Cold War era, raising alarms in Washington and Seoul.
July saw the swift conviction of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who had been detained in March and accused of espionage. He received a 16-year prison sentence following what many considered a sham trial. Both his newspaper and the U.S. government condemned the proceedings as baseless, asserting that the charges were fabricated. Gershkovich, the son of Soviet immigrants, was the first Western journalist arrested on espionage charges in the modern Russian landscape, adding a chilling precedent for international media operations.
August marked a significant event when Washington and Moscow executed the largest prisoner exchange since the end of the Soviet era. Among those released were Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and several notable Russian dissidents. This seismic swap involved two dozen individuals, including Vadim Krasikov, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment in Germany for a high-profile murder case. Additionally, Ukraine launched an unexpected incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, revealing vulnerabilities in Russia’s defenses and resulting in a mass exodus of civilians from the area, amid ongoing challenges for Russian forces engaged in eastern Ukraine.
By September, Putin visited Mongolia, a nation with historical ties to Russia, as part of efforts to counter Western pressure regarding the Ukraine conflict. Mongolia, which had ratified a treaty establishing the International Criminal Court, overlooked an arrest warrant issued for Putin stemming from alleged war crimes. Putin received a warm welcome, and the two nations forged agreements on energy and infrastructure.
In October, the Pentagon reported that approximately 10,000 North Korean troops had been deployed to Russia to support operations against Ukraine, a situation that Western leaders feared would escalate the conflict further. While details of this deployment remain largely undisclosed by both governments, its implications were significant for regional stability.
As November rolled in, former President Donald Trump reclaimed the White House, raising concerns in Ukraine regarding the potential reduction of U.S. military support and the possibility of forced negotiations with Russia. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden had permitted the use of U.S.-sourced long-range weaponry by Ukraine for deeper assaults on Russian territories. In response, Russia introduced a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile, the Oreshnik, claiming it was invulnerable to countermeasures. Putin hinted that this weapon could be used not just against Ukraine but also against NATO nations supporting it.
December brought further upheaval for Putin as the Syrian government led by Bashar Assad collapsed after a swift rebel offensive. In the wake of this, Putin granted asylum to Assad and his family, but the Kremlin’s failure to avert this failure exposed limitations in Russia’s strategic influence at a delicate juncture in the Ukraine conflict. Shortly after, Moscow faced another significant blow when a bomb targeting Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the chief of Russia’s Radiological, Biological, and Chemical Protection Forces, resulted in his death outside his residence, a major embarrassment for security services.
In the closing days of the year, Putin issued an apology for what he termed a “tragic incident” involving the crash of an Azerbaijani jetliner that resulted in 38 fatalities in Kazakhstan. This came amidst allegations that the aircraft was shot down by Russian air defenses during attempts to intercept a drone attack near Grozny, Chechnya. While Russian officials confirmed the activation of air defenses, Putin’s acknowledgment of this tragedy fell short of accepting any responsibility from Moscow.
