Anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International has moved Russia up ten points in its 2012 Corruption Perceptions Index, CPI, from 143rd place out of 176. Ranked as 133rd, it’s on par with neighbouring Kazakhstan and overseas Honduras, but lagging behind other former Soviet republics like Georgia (51st) and Moldova (94th).

Lead by countries like New Zealand, Finland and Denmark, the rating reflects the perceived level of corruption in public sector. This year, Transparency International has changed its methodology, making the index results easier to read and understand.

According to Ivan Ninenko, from Transparency International, the latest corruption cases have been included in the index, and questions Russia's quick progress, given the fact that neither former Defense Minister nor ex-Minister of Agriculture have been charged so far.

Russia has been plagued by growing corruption, making it less appealing for foreign investors and stifling domestic entrepreneurship.  

More Russia-IC articles on corruption here and here.