VISUAL REPORTS
Adopted 'Wolf Cubs' Bring New Life To Russian Village
The number of children in the village of Shapy, in the Smolensk region of western Russia, was dwindling in the mid-2000s when three teachers decided to adopt five children.
Forty Years On A Tractor Across Russia
“I’m probably the happiest man on earth.” For 40 years, 60 year-old Vasily Ozerov has been driving a tractor with an attached caravan across Russia, helping people and earning a living. (859K views on Current Time TV Facebook)
INFOGRAPHIC: Space Agencies And Their Budgets
NASA is by far the best-funded space agency in the world. Here are other space programs with hefty budgets.
OTHER NEWS
NATO Discussing Response To ‘ World With More Russian Missiles'
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said Russia continues to “develop and deploy” 9M729 cruise-missile systems in breach of a key Cold War-era nuclear arms control agreement, and that the alliance will meet this week to discuss "what steps NATO should take to adapt to a world with more Russian missiles."
Putin Threatening Democracies Worldwide, Pompeo Tells Slovaks
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is on a tour of Central Europe, warned on February 12 that Russian President Vladimir Putin poses a threat to democracies worldwide. Pompeo, the first U.S. secretary of state to visit Slovakia in 14 years, was speaking in the country’s capital, Bratislava, his latest stop aimed at curbing Russian and Chinese influence in the region.
Internet-Isolation Bill Advances, Despite Doubts In Duma
Amid pointed questions about costs, intent, and feasibility, Russia's lower house of parliament has given approval in the first of three readings to a bill that backers say is designed to ensure the operation of the Internet in the country if access to servers abroad is cut off. Analyst Tanya Lokot spoke to RFE/RL about the plan’s “unknowns” and implications.
Russian Anticorruption Activist Beaten To Death Outside Moscow
A Russian anticorruption activist has died after being attacked on February 11 in the village of Vingradovo by masked assailants wielding bats, colleagues and law enforcement authorities say. The victim has been identified as Dmitry Gribov, a lawyer and leader of a branch of the Center for Action Against Corruption in the greater Moscow region.
Russia Files First Charge Of ‘Engaging Minors’ In Unsanctioned Protest
Russian authorities in the Baltic Sea coastal city of Kaliningrad have filed their first formal accusation based on new legislation under which people accused of luring minors into protests can be jailed.
Russian Supreme Court Says Jehovah’s Witnesses Not Prosecuted Because Of Faith
Russian Supreme Court head Vyacheslav Lebedev has told Russian media that the prosecution of members of Jehovah's Witnesses is not related to their religion, but rather is the result of illegal activities under the law. He referred to the ban on the organization’s activities, and said the court’s decision could be reversed if the legislation is changed. (Russian Service)
Moscow Court Upholds Extension Of Ukrainian Sailors' Pretrial Detentions
A Moscow court on February 12 rejected the appeals of four Ukrainian sailors, ruling to extend until April 24 and April 26 their pretrial detention on charges of illegal border crossing after they and 21 other crew members were apprehended last November by Russian forces near the Kerch Strait. Appeals by the other sailors are expected.
HRW Denounces 'Mockery Of Justice' In Titiyev Trial
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticized the refusal of a court in the Russian republic of Chechnya to admit the defense’s last motion in the trial of leading human rights activist Oyub Titiyev, who has been behind bars for more than 13 months on drug charges described as "bogus" by rights groups and activists.
'Stop Harassing Independent Media,' CPJ Tells Belarus
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Belarus “to end” its harassment of Maryna Zolatava, the editor in chief of Belarus's largest independent news site, Tut.by.
Former Armenian President Kocharian Charged With Bribe-Taking
Armenian investigators have filed a new bribe-taking charge against former President Robert Kocharian, who was previously charged with violating the country's constitutional system.
Bulgarian And British Officials Meet Over Skripal And Grebev Poison Cases
The British ambassador to Sofia has discussed with top Bulgarian officials possible links between the 2015 poisoning of a local businessman in Bulgaria and last year’s nerve-agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain.
North Macedonia Officially Puts Itself On The Map
Macedonia's government says the country is now officially renamed the Republic of North Macedonia, under a landmark agreement to normalize relations with Greece that also allows Macedonia to enter NATO.
INFOGRAPHIC: No Lie: How Russians View Their Leaders’ Honesty