The Russia that has shown confidence under Vladimir V. Putin — a success anchored in stable politics and predictable economic growth — now looks volatile.

President Dmitri A. Medvedev pledged to inject almost $20 billion into financial markets in an effort to halt the free fall of the Russian stock markets.

Some policy makers are starting to suggest that the best way to influence the Kremlin would be to put more pressure on the Russian business community in Europe.

Stocks fell and then recovered after an escalation in the fighting between Russia and Georgia raised concerns among investors that the conflict might endanger Russia’s economic relations with the West.

Stocks fell and then recovered after an escalation in the fighting between Russia and Georgia raised concerns among investors that the conflict might endanger Russia’s economic relations with the West.

The Russian president is pressing ahead with a national plan to combat corruption, noting that business had become infuriated by corrupt bureaucrats.

The Russian president is pressing ahead with a national plan to combat corruption, noting that business had become infuriated by corrupt bureaucrats.

The Russian president is pressing ahead with a national plan to combat corruption, noting that business had become infuriated by corrupt bureaucrats.

The Russian president is pressing ahead with a national plan to combat corruption, noting that business had become infuriated by corrupt bureaucrats.

The fall of one of Russia’s most prominent foreign investors points to the official corruption that afflicts the country.