Today's Headlines and Commentary ... in Russia

By now, readers of newspapers in the United States are versed---at least generally---in the Crimean situation:  arguments regarding the Crimea referendum’s legality, the advance of Russian troops onto Crimean soil, the move’s economic and foreign policy consequences, and so on.  But what about readers of Russian newspapers? The question occurred to us earlier today at Lawfare’s skyscraper headquarters. Having it in mind, we now offer the following by-no-means-comprehensive sampling of Russian reportage regarding Russia, Ukraine, and Crimea---a specially flavored “Today’s Headlines and Commentary,” if you will.  Enjoy. A lead story in the Rossiskaya Gazeta: the Russian Federation’s Constitutional Court has upheld the constitutionality of Russia’s accession agreement with the Crimea.  It also appears that Russian officials will make a priority of ensuring that Crimean pensions are raised to Russian standards.  That makes for a a twofold increase for certain Crimean retirees. Kommersant reports of a new accord between Sevastopol and Moscow; the deal sets up a framework for cooperation between the two cities on trade, science, and culture matters.  According to a different Kommersant report, Kiev is refusing to withdraw certain of its troops from the Crimean peninsula---thus setting the stage for further conflict. Oldy-but-goody news outlet Izvestia has two pieces on its front page: in one, the former Moscow mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, tells an interviewer of his wish to buy an apiary in Crimea, and forecasts positively for future Russian investment there.  In another article, fearful residents near the Crimea-Ukraine border say they hope for a prompt resolution to the situation. The Moskovskii Komsomolets explores how Putin’s Crimea play will alter the Russian domestic political scene.  The newspaper also reports of an unknownsniper in Simerfopol, who shot at targets on both sides of the conflict and thus sought to exacerbate tensions in the area. There’s also the Nezavisimaya Gazeta.  In it we learn of shelling, which Crimean officials have called a “provocation.”  Also, a Ukrainian navy officerhas been detained and questioned by prosecutors, regarding an alleged Ukrainian military order to use force against civilians.  The Russian government is also beginning to issue Russian passports to residents of the Crimea. Perhaps it’s a stretch even to call the United Russia’s party’s website a “newspaper,” though it is undeniably the go-to source for the Kremlin’s official line. It therefore comes as no surprise that a United Russia puff piece Tuesday cites Putin's claim---that the Crimea referendum vote was conducted in accordance with international standards.