In Putin's Russia, first published in German in 2005, describes the early years of Vladimir Putin's reign, during which he established the Russian reality of today, the "Putin system." The Moscow journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was killed in an assassination attempt on October 7, 2006, powerfully illustrates that an authoritarian and inhumane policy has characterized Putin's Russia from the very beginning. Her book offers a deep understanding of the person Putin and contemporary Russia. Her analyses have lost none of their relevance, which may be particularly surprising in Germany, where the political course stemming from the policy of détente continued, especially during Gerhard Schröder's chancellorship.

This new edition is introduced by a foreword from Anke Hilbrenner, a professor of Eastern European history. She explains the reports covering the years 2000 to 2003 against the backdrop of today's political situation.