Editing Russia (section)

== The Russian Federation ==
President of Russia Vladimir Putin, during the ceremony of returning the 'Schneerson Collection' books to the Jewish Museum in Moscow (5773/2013)

Shluchim (emissaries) against the backdrop of the Kremlin

Following the fall of the Communist regime and the establishment of the Russian Federation as the political entity succeeding the Soviet Union, a democratic government was established that permits and even supports Jewish studies. Hundreds of shluchim have established themselves in countries that were under Communist rule.

According to official data and Russian population registry from 5770/2010, approximately 158,000 Jews are registered in the country, although experts estimate that there are over a million Jews who are either not registered or unaware of their Jewish heritage. Hundreds of shluchim operate in Russia, among the most prominent: Rabbi Berel Lazar, Chief Rabbi of Russia and a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and many others. The shluchim are organized under the Federation of Jewish Communities in Russia. The Association of Chabad Chassidim in the Commonwealth of Independent States also operates in Russia.

In Russia, the Or Avner Foundation also operates, providing significant assistance to dozens of shluchim and institutions.

In parallel, the "Otzar Chassidim" system, under the management of Kehot Publication Society, conducted legal proceedings against the Russian government for the return of the library of the Rebbe Rashab (Schneerson Collection) that remained in Russia and was found in the Lenin Library (the National Library of Russia). The struggle began under the Rebbe's instruction in 5751/1991 when he sent a delegation headed by Shalom DovBer Levine that located the collection and demanded its return. After the Russian government refused, "Otzar Chassidim" sued the government in a Russian court, which ruled that the books belong to the Chabad movement. After Russia refused to recognize the results of the trial, they turned to an American court, which also ruled that Russia must return the books, but the Russian government refused to recognize the court's decision and return the books. In Tammuz 5773/2013, an interesting development occurred in the case when Russian President Vladimir Putin convened a press conference at the Jewish Museum in Moscow, during which he transferred the books to the museum's authority, with the condition that the books remain within Russia. Agudas Chassidei Chabad announced in response that the move was not acceptable to them and that they would not cease the struggle until the books are returned to the Lubavitch Library in New York.

'''Russia-Ukraine War'''

In Adar I 5782/2022, the Russian army invaded Ukraine and captured cities and large parts of it. The war is still ongoing and claims many casualties. The shluchim in Ukraine remained in the country to care for the local Jews until they managed to smuggle them out of the country around Purim.