Oleg Ignatov Senior Analyst, Russia Please submit all media inquiries to media@crisisgroup.org or call +32 (0) 2 536 00 71 Crisis Group Role As Crisis Group’s Senior Analyst for Russia, Oleg Ignatov focuses on the country’s domestic affairs as well as Moscow’s role in conflicts around the world. Professional Background Oleg has previously worked as a leading expert at the Center for Current Policy in Moscow, as a political consultant, and in various roles at the United Russia party. He also holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Moscow State University. He specialises in Russia's foreign and domestic policy, Russian elites, Russian policy and conflicts in the post-Soviet space, and Russian-Ukrainian relations. Languages Russian English Publications Ukraine at a Crossroads: Scenarios for the Reintegration of Donbas, Carnegie Moscow Center (March 2018) In The News 20 Feb 2023 I think they [the Kremlin] will use this [Biden's Kyiv trip] to repeat the line that this is a conflict between Russia and the West, not between Russia and Ukraine. Newsweek Oleg Ignatov Senior Analyst, Russia 4 Oct 2022 There is an official narrative that Russia is not at war ... and that everything is evolving according to plan. But if Putin has declared mobilization, it means the plan ... Newsweek Oleg Ignatov Senior Analyst, Russia 7 Jul 2022 I think Russia's plan right now is to capture Donbas [in Ukraine] and to see what they can do next. Newsweek Oleg Ignatov Senior Analyst, Russia 23 Feb 2022 By abandoning the Minsk agreements, Russia has deprived itself of one avenue of potential long-term political leverage over Ukraine and will now be seeking another one. Reuters Oleg Ignatov Senior Analyst, Russia 28 Jan 2022 To think that Putin is going to wage a full-scale war, which will cut Russia off from the international stage, which will hit Russia’s society and economy – it’s against ... The Globe and Mail Oleg Ignatov Senior Analyst, Russia 14 Jan 2022 Russia wants to see Ukraine not as a neutral country, but more like a friendly country. Al Jazeera Oleg Ignatov Senior Analyst, Russia Latest Updates Op-Ed / Europe & Central Asia 29 September 2022 Putin’s annexation of parts of Ukraine is a critical moment for the world Q&A / Europe & Central Asia 03 August 2022 Who are the Winners in the Black Sea Grain Deal? Podcast / Europe & Central Asia 03 December 2021 Will Russia Invade Ukraine? Q&A / Europe & Central Asia 22 November 2021 Behind the Frictions at the Belarus-Poland Border Commentary / Asia 26 August 2021 With the Taliban Back in Kabul, Regional Powers Watch and Wait