Russian Corruption

[Xenia]

Russia needs to sort itself out.

Fair point...but the chances of it happening this century are minimal. I have Russian clients and I am getting very used to hearing that 'this is how we do it in Russia'.

it's a horribly corrupt country in all areas.

Friends of ours adopted a little girl from Russia. When the time came for them to bring her home to the Uk they couldn't get her out othe country without cash payments - which the officials called the 'tradition of gifts' to everyone from the orphanage to the judge, doctor and people at the visa office.
All in all they reckon they handed over 20k in bribes - and they aren't rich people.

I have a feeling it's worse than in the days of communism sadly. in Greece there was that recent scandal where people were forced to pay the doctor something like 2000 euros just to give birth in a state hospital, cash under the counter payment although I think Russia is much worse than Greece.

Oh yup much worse. OK, you'd except some until the country got on it's feet but the level of corruption and deceit is increasing.

It's no wonder when you look at who is in charge. I think it is getting worse too. The Russians also have a falling life expectancy (due to mass alcoholism I think) and the birth rate is so low that the population is shrinking quite rapidly.