Russia equipped to ride out economic tempest

Until the latter half of 2008, the Russian economy was developing rapidly. Annual GDP rose more than 7 percent throughout Vladimir Putin's presidency. The boom however came to a shuddering halt as the economic crisis broke, triggering a downward spiral in oil prices.

As economic pain became political, and internal problems affected external relations, how Russia would weather the economic crisis is an increasing concern.

But it's more a case of setback than ruin for the former Soviet Union.