Election
Dmitry Medvedev is elected President of Russia with about 70% of the vote, scheduled to succeed Vladimir Putin in May
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
2008 in Russia
Explore 35 historical events and records for Russia in 2008.
Historical records for Russia in 2008
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 35 of 35 unique records.
35Unique records
1 of 1Page
25Named events on this page
13Named people on this page
8Places on this page
March
May
Constitution of Russia
Due to constitutionally mandated term limits, Putin was ineligible to run for a third consecutive Presidential term, his successor, Dmitry Medvedev nominates Putin to be Russian Prime Minister
Constitution of Russia
Putin was barred from a third term by the Constitution, First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was elected his successor, in a power-switching operation on 8 May 2008, only a day after handing the presidency to Medvedev, Putin was appointed Prime Minister of Russia, maintaining his political dominance
Election
Elected Prime Minister of Russia
Election
Putin was barred from a third term by the Constitution, First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was elected his successor, in a power-switching operation on 8 May 2008, only a day after handing the presidency to Medvedev, Putin was appointed Prime Minister of Russia, maintaining his political dominance
Prime Minister
Putin was barred from a third term by the Constitution, First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was elected his successor, in a power-switching operation on 8 May 2008, only a day after handing the presidency to Medvedev, Putin was appointed Prime Minister of Russia, maintaining his political dominance
Prime Minister of Russia
Elected Prime Minister of Russia. Due to constitutionally mandated term limits, Putin was ineligible to run for a third consecutive Presidential term, his successor, Dmitry Medvedev nominates Putin to be Russian Prime Minister
July
Diplomatic Expulsion
Russiann relations worsen after Tbilisi detaines four Russians whom it said were spies. Russia cuts transport and postal links with Georgia and expels hundreds of Georgians alleged to be living in Russia illegally, police also crack down on Georgian businesses in Moscow
August
Death of Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Death of Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Bombing of Georgia
Russia, which supports the South Osettias bid for separation, bombs targets throughout Georgia and moves troops into the region and into Abkhazia
Rule of South Osettia
Russia, which supports the South Osettias bid for separation, bombs targets throughout Georgia and moves troops into the region and into Abkhazia
Siege of Senaki
Moscow says it had launched a raid on the town of Senaki to stop Georgia from attacking Russian forces in South Ossetia, another breakaway region
Bombing of Gori
The conflict over South Ossetia also appears to have widened, with Georgia accusing Russia of capturing the town of Gori, just 76km (47 miles) from Tbilisi
Ceasefire
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili signs an EU-backed ceasefire, but the document is rejected by Moscow
Ceasefire
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili signs an EU-backed ceasefire, but the document is rejected by Moscow
Invasion of Georgia
``We will not allow the death of our compatriots to go unpunished,Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, 42, told state television after reports that Georgian troops had shelled a Russian barracks and checkpoint and killed soldiers
Invasion of Georgia
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili signs an EU-backed ceasefire, but the document is rejected by Moscow
Invasion of Georgia
Moscow says it had launched a raid on the town of Senaki to stop Georgia from attacking Russian forces in South Ossetia, another breakaway region. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili signs an EU-backed ceasefire, but the document is rejected by Moscow
Invasion of Georgia
Russia, which supports the South Osettias bid for separation, bombs targets throughout Georgia and moves troops into the region and into Abkhazia.
Invasion of Georgia
Russian troops enter Georgia from the breakaway region of Abkhazia, as the conflict between the two neighbours appears to be broadening. Russia advances beyond the borders of Abkhazia, saying it had launched an operation in the town of Senaki.
Invasion of Georgia
The conflict over South Ossetia also appears to have widened, with Georgia accusing Russia of capturing the town of Gori, just 76km (47 miles) from Tbilisi.
Siege of Gori
The conflict over South Ossetia also appears to have widened, with Georgia accusing Russia of capturing the town of Gori, just 76km (47 miles) from Tbilisi
December
Posthumous Order for Courage
Receives Ukraine's Order for Courage, third degree, posthumously in recognition of his actions during the Chernobyl disaster.
Other events (month unknown)
Captain of Russian Euro Semi-Finalists
Semak captains Russia at Euro 2008, coordinating its midfield as the side reaches the semi-finals under Guus Hiddink.
Economy of Russia
The Great Recession hit the Russian economy especially hard, interrupting the flow of cheap Western credit and investments which coincided with tension in relationships with the EU and the US following the 2008 South Ossetia war, in which Russia invaded neighboring Georgia populated by less than 5 million people
Euro 2008 Attacking Left Back
Zhirkov supplies overlapping runs and precise deliveries from left-back during Russia's surprise run to the last four of Euro 2008.
Euro Quarter-Final Opening Goal
Pavlyuchenko puts Russia ahead against the Netherlands in the Euro 2008 quarter-final, helping set up a famous extra-time triumph.
Extra-Time Goal Eliminates Netherlands
Arshavin scores Russia's third goal in the 3-1 extra-time quarter-final victory over the Netherlands, inspiring a run to the European Championship semi-finals.
Extra-Time Winner Against Netherlands
Torbinsky finishes a cross at the far post to put Russia ahead in extra time against the Netherlands, a decisive moment in the Euro 2008 quarter-final.
Invasion of Georgia
The Great Recession hit the Russian economy especially hard, interrupting the flow of cheap Western credit and investments which coincided with tension in relationships with the EU and the US following the 2008 South Ossetia war, in which Russia invaded neighboring Georgia populated by less than 5 million people
Long Range Shooting Against Dutch
Kolodin nearly scores from distance during Russia's extraordinary Euro 2008 quarter-final win over the Netherlands before departing through injury.
Russia Reaches Euro Semi-Finals
Akinfeev starts every Russian match at Euro 2008 and delivers important saves as the team reaches its first European Championship semi-final since 1988.
Russia Right Back at Euro 2008
Anyukov supports attacks down the right flank during Russia's run to the 2008 European Championship semi-finals.
Winning Goal Against Greece at Euros
Zyryanov scores the only goal in Russia's 1-0 Euro 2008 victory over defending champions Greece, restoring the team's qualification hopes.
Zenit Defeats Manchester United for Trophy
Zenit Saint Petersburg defeated Manchester United two one, becoming Russia's first UEFA Super Cup winner.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.