11.

During the Second Chechen War, Russia forcibly disarmed the Chechen rebel movement, though some attacks by rebels continued to occur throughout the northern Caucasus region. A referendum was held in Chechnya in 2003 declaring the Republic of Chechnya a part of Russia. In 2007, Vladimir Putin chose Ramzan Kadyrov, an ally, to govern Chechnya to prevent further rebellion. Kadyrov has been internationally criticized for corruption and human rights violations.

12.

In July 2000, Putin dismissed the governors of 89 different regions after the Federal Assembly of Russia approved a law to abolish direct election. This undemocratic measure had been proposed by Putin himself. Putin, four years later, also overhauled how regional governors are elected. Previously, governors had been elected by popular vote, but Putin replaced this a system with presidential nominations, extending his power.