New delicious nuggets about Putin’s Russia emerge almost every week. Dimitri Medvedev is set to assume the Russian Presidency this week and there is much speculation about how the power-sharing arrangement between Putin and his successor will play out. As the media focuses on the transition, or lack thereof, there are always little items that I notice about how the Putin government has revived many Soviet-era traditions. Many of these items seem pretty innocuous, but they can tell observers a lot about how the regime views itself and its form of governing.

Radio Free Europe noted in their daily e-mail digest that the Russian military will parade through Red Square on May 9th for Victory Day. Money quote:

he parade will include 171 pieces of military equipment, including T-90 tanks, armored personnel carriers, self-propelled artillery, and antimissile defense systems. For the first time, Topol mobile strategic nuclear-capable missiles will also be on display, as will some 30 aircraft. The event marks the first time military equipment has participated in a Red Square parade since November 7, 1990, newsru.com

Makes me almost nostalgic for my childhood. Other Soviet-era practices adopted by Putin include the reintroduction of the Soviet anthem, the reemergence of single-party rule, and sham elections. This is aside from the decreases in media freedom and repression of opposition political parties and civil society.