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USSR Born
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) is established. Russia is by far the largest member. -
Formal Relations
The United States formally recognizes the USSR, and the countries establish diplomatic relations. -
Soviet Union and Japan sign a non-aggression pact
During World War II, representatives from the Soviet Union and Japan sign a five-year neutrality agreement. Although traditional enemies, the nonaggression pact allowed both nations to free up large numbers of troops occupying disputed territory in Manchuria and Outer Mongolia to be used for more pressing purposes. -
Germany invades the USSR
By the end of the year occupies Belarus and most of Ukraine, surrounds Leningrad (now called St Petersburg). Although a Soviet counter-offensive saves Moscow, by June 1942 the Germans were at the gates of Stalingrad (now called Volgograd) and close to the Caucasus oil fields. -
Lend-Lease
U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt gives the USSR and other countries millions of dollars worth of weapons and other support for their fight against Nazi Germany. -
USA drops A-bombs on Japan to end World War 2
On August 6, 1945, during World War II, an American B-29 bomber dropped the world’s first deployed atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The explosion wiped out 90 percent of the city and immediately killed 80,000 people; tens of thousands more would later die of radiation exposure. Three days later, a second B-29 dropped another A-bomb on Nagasaki. Japan’s Emperor Hirohito announced his country’s unconditional surrender in World War II -
Soviet Union declares war on Japan
Eventually annexing the southern half of Sakhalin and the Kuril islands. -
Victory
The United States and Soviet Union end World War II as allies. As co-founders of the United Nations, both countries (along with France, China, and the united Kingdom) become permanent members of United Nations Security Council with full veto authority over the council's action. -
Cold War Begins
The struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union for domination in certain sectors and parts of the world is dubbed the Cold War. It will last until 1991. Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill calls the division of Europe between the West and those parts dominated by the Soviet Union an "Iron Curtain." American expert George Kennan advises the United States to follow a policy of "containment" toward the Soviet Union. -
USSR tests its first nuclear bomb
Soviet Union explodes its first atomic device; recognizes the Communist government in China. -
USA tests H-bomb, 2,500 times more powerful than Hiroshima
This position was soon challenged when the USSR tested its own nuclear bomb on August 29, 1949, sparking off an arms race between the two superpowers. In 1952, the US detonated the H-bomb, which was 2,500 times more powerful than the atomic bomb used in World War 2. The Soviet Union followed suit, by testing its own H-bomb the following year. -
USSR tests its first H-bomb
At a remote test site at Semipalatinsk in Kazakhstan, the USSR successfully detonates its first atomic bomb, code name “First Lightning.” In order to measure the effects of the blast, the Soviet scientists constructed buildings, bridges, and other civilian structures in the vicinity of the bomb. They also placed animals in cages nearby so that they could test the effects of nuclear radiation on human-like mammals. -
Stalin dies
Stalin dies and is succeeded by Georgi Malenkov as prime minister and by Nikita Khrushchev as first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. -
Khrushchev denounces Stalin
Khrushchev makes a secret speech to the 20th Communist Party congress denouncing Stalin's dictatorial rule and cult of personality. -
USSR develops Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM)
The Soviet Union announces that it has successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of being fired “into any part of the world.” The announcement caused great concern in the United States, and started a national debate over the “missile gap” between America and Russia. -
Sputnik
The Soviets launch Sputnik, the first manmade object to orbit the Earth. Americans, who had confidently felt they were ahead of the Soviets in technology and science, redouble their efforts in science, engineering, and the overall space race. -
USA develops its own ICBM
During the Cold War, both the United States and the Soviet Union developed inter-continental ballistic missiles(ICBM), that were capable of reaching any target in each other's territory. ICBMs could deliver nuclear weapons in a manner that was virtually immune to defensive measures. -
USA develops ballistic missile submarines
Nuclear missile submarines, which spend months at a time submerged in classified patrol areas, are considered the most "survivable" of the so-called nuclear triad (land-, sea-, and air-launched nuclear weapons). The downside is that they are less accurate than land-based missiles. -
Soviet Union shoots down US spy plane
Soviet Union shoots down US spy plane U-2 gathering information over Russian territory. The pilot, Francis Gary Powers, was captured alive. He spent nearly two years in a Soviet prison before being exchanged for a Soviet intelligence officer captured in New York. -
Nuclear arsenal of both countries enough to cause world destruction
The US developed its nuclear defenses with a view of protecting NATO troops in Europe from a Soviet invasion, which they believed was likely. The Missile Gap (a growing fear in America during the 1950s that the Soviet Union's nuclear arsenal was way ahead of theirs) also led to the Americans increasing government spending on the military. -
Cuban Missile Crisis almost ends in a nuclear war
The stationing of U.S. nuclear missiles in Turkey and Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba leads to the most dramatic and potentially world-shattering confrontation of the Cold War. In the end, both sets of missiles were removed. -
treaty banning atmospheric nuclear tests
Soviet Union joins the US and Britain in signing a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear tests; US-Soviet "hot line" set up. -
USSR develops ABM (Anti-ballistic Missiles) to protect Moscow
The Soviet Union began constructing the world's first working ABM system, which was designed to protect Moscow. Originally, the system was intended to have eight complexes, each with 16 interceptors, in the Moscow area, but construction slowed in 1968 and by 1969-70 only four of the sites, with a total of 64 interceptors, were completed. -
USA develops MIRVs, to help ballistic missiles dodge ABMs
USA realized that the Soviet Union had put up Anti-ballistic Missiles (ABM) near its capital Moscow, which went against MAD. So it responded by developing MIRV payloads, that enabled each missile to carry multiple warheads which struck different targets. This would confuse the Soviet ABM defenses which could only defend individual warheads. -
SALT I treaty signed between USA and USSR to limit ABMs
Soviet Union and US sign SALT-1 arms control agreement, heralding the start of detente. -
SALT II signed to control nuclear arsenal
At the November 1974 Vladivostok Summit, Ford and Brezhnev agreed on the basic framework of a SALT II agreement. This included a 2,400 limit on strategic nuclear delivery vehicles (ICBMs, SLBMs, and heavy bombers) for each side; a 1,320 limit on MIRV systems; a ban on new land-based ICBM launchers; and limits on deployment of new types of strategic offensive arms. -
Ease of Soviet Emigration Policy
Soviet Union agrees to ease its emigration policy in return for most-favored-nation trade status with the US. -
USSR invades Afghanistan, SALT II rejected by USA
Soviet Union and US sign SALT-2 agreement; Soviet troops invade Afghanistan, formally ending the period of detente with the West. -
Olympic Politics
The United States and 60 other countries boycott the Summer Olympics (held in Moscow) to protest the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. -
War of Words
U.S. President Ronald Reagan begins to refer to the Soviet Union as an "evil empire". -
Chernenko dies
Chernenko dies and is replaced by Mikhail Gorbachev as general secretary of the Communist Party; Andrey Gromyko becomes president. Gorbachev begins an anti-alcohol campaign and promulgates the policies of openness, or glasnost, and restructuring, or perestroika. -
Near Breakthrough
At a summit in Reykjavik, Iceland, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev came close to agreeing to eliminate all nuclear weapons and share the so-called Star Wars defense technologies. Although the negotiations broke down, it set the stage for future arms control agreements. -
Scrap of Intermediate-range nuclear missiles
Soviet Union and US agree to scrap intermediate-range nuclear missiles; Boris Yeltsin dismissed as Moscow party chief for criticising slow pace of reforms. -
Soviet troops sent to Azerbaijan
Soviet troops sent to Azerbaijan following inter-ethnic killings between Armenians and Azeris; Communist Party votes to end one-party rule; Gorbachev opposes independence of Baltic states and imposes sanctions on Lithuania; Yeltsin elected president of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic by the latter's parliament and leaves the Soviet Communist Party. -
Collapse of USSR
In the final days of December, the Soviet Union dissolved itself and was replaced by 15 different independent states, including Russia. Russia honors all treaties signed by the former Soviet Union and assumes the United Nations Security Council seat formerly held by the Soviets. -
Detainment of Gorbachev
Senior officials, including Defence Minister Dmitry Yazov, Vice-President Gennadiy Yanayev and the heads of the Interior Ministry and the KGB detain Gorbachev at his holiday villa in Crimea, but are themselves arrested after three days; Yeltsin bans the Soviet Communist Party in Russia and seizes its assets; Yeltsin recognises the independence of the Baltic republics; Ukraine, followed by other republics, declares itself independent. -
Vote for the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Congress of People's Deputies votes for the dissolution of the Soviet Union. -
Commonwealth of Independent States
Leaders of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus sign agreement setting up Commonwealth of Independent States. -
Gorbachev resigns as Soviet president
Gorbachev resigns as Soviet president; US recognizes independence of remaining Soviet republics. -
Space Cooperation
The first of 11 U.S. space shuttle missions docks with the Soviet MIR space station. -
Russian take over
Russian government takes over offices of USSR in Russia. -
Space Cooperation
Russians and Americans occupy the jointly built International Space Station for the first time. -
Treaty
U.S. President George Bush unilaterally withdraws from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty signed by the two countries in 1972. -
Iraq War Dispute
Russia strongly opposes the American-led invasion of Iraq. -
Poland Controversy
An American plan to build an anti-ballistic missile defense system in Poland draws strong Russian protests. -
Transfer of Power
In elections unmonitored by international observers, Dmitry Medvedev is elected president replacing Vladimir Putin. Putin is widely expected to become Russia's prime minister. -
Conflict in South Ossetia
A violent military conflict between Russia and Georgia highlights a growing rift in U.S.-Russian relations. Tensions with Georgia escalate into war after Georgian troops attack Russian-backed separatist forces in South Ossetia. Russia drives Georgian forces from South Ossetia and Abkhazia, then recognizes both as independent states. -
Reduction of Nuclear Weapons
President Medvedev and Barack Obama, on his first official visit to Moscow, reach an outline agreement to reduce nuclear weapons stockpiles in move aimed at replacing 1991 Start 1 treaty. Russia welcomes the US decision to shelve missile defense bases in Poland and the Czech Republic. -
Strategic Arms Agreement
President Medvedev signs a new strategic arms agreement with US committing both sides to cut arsenals of deployed nuclear warheads by about 30 percent. Presidents Medvedev and Obama mark warming in ties on the Russian leader's first visit to the White House. Obama says the US will back Russia's World Trade Organization accession, and Russia will allow the US to resume poultry exports. -
Putin's second presidency
Vladimir Putin wins presidential elections. Opponents take to the streets of several major cities to protest at the conduct of the election, police arrest hundreds. -
Russian Opression
US, EU and human rights groups condemn jail sentences imposed on three members of punk band Pussy Riot over an anti-Putin protest in a Moscow cathedral. The women were sentenced to two years for "hooliganism". -
Russian Backlash
Angered by a US bill blacklisting Russian officials in connection with the death in custody of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, Moscow bans Americans from adopting Russian children and stops US-funded non-governmental organizations from working in Russia. -
Sanctions on Russia
Following the downing of a Malaysian Airlines passenger plane over eastern Ukraine in a suspected missile strike, Russia comes in for international criticism over supplying rebels with heavy weaponry.
The EU and US announce new sanctions against Russia. The IMF says Russian growth is slowing down to zero. -
East-West Showdown
After flight from Ukraine of pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych, Russian forces take over Crimea, which then votes to join Russia in a referendum. This sparks biggest East-West showdown since Cold War, with the US and its European allies criticizing Russia's further intervention in eastern Ukraine. Russia suspended from G-8 group of industrialized countries. -
Russian Intervention in Syria
Russia carries out first air strikes in Syria, saying it targets the Islamic State group. But West and Syrian opposition say it overwhelmingly targets anti-Assad rebels instead. Turkey shoots down Russian warplane on Syria bombing mission. Russia, Turkey's second-largest trading partner, imposes economic sanctions. -
Meddling in the 2016 Presidential Election
The US and Russia engage in a tit-for-tat involving hundreds of diplomatic staff after the US Congress approved new sanctions for Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election.