VISUAL REPORTS
THE POWER VERTICAL: Putin Has A Cold
Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared in the Russian media no less than 59,130 times between February 8 - 13, or more than 10,000 times a day.
Sobchak Appeals To Court To Cancel Putin Candidacy
Emphasizing that she is the only opposition candidate, among the seven, to do so, Russian presidential hopeful Ksenia Sobchak told supporters in Kursk that she has petitioned Russia’s Supreme Court to cancel Vladimir Putin’s registration for the March 2018 elections on grounds that he has already served three terms. (Russian Service)
Step Right Up To Baranovka, The Russian Village Of Circus Artists
Circus performers of all kinds have been coming from the Russian village of Baranovka for nearly 50 years.
OTHER NEWS
7:40am -- Good Morning!
[Excerpt from Current Time TV’s daily, first-read for Russian-speaking audiences.]
Apparently unaware of Russian laws banning the use of minors in election campaigns, schools in Dagestan have posted photos of kids holding posters saying, “We are voting for Putin!” Russia’s Central Election Commission appears to have found no evidence of election campaigning in the state-run First Channel’s decision to air Oliver Stone’s film about Putin during prime time, but it did advise against it.
Moscow Tight-Lipped On Russian Deaths In Syria
As details continue to emerge about multiple Russian fighters killed in U.S. air and artillery strikes in Syria last week, the Kremlin and senior Russian officials are choosing their words carefully.
Widow Of Russian Mercenary Killed In Syria Says 'They Were Thrown Into Battle Like Pigs'
Yelena Matveyeva’s husband is suspected of having been killed when the U.S.-led coalition targeted pro-Syrian government forces with air and artillery strikes in Syria's Deir al-Zor Province on February 7.
Putin Personally Ordered Crimea Annexation, Ex-Duma Deputy Testifies
Former Russian lawmaker Ilya Ponomaryov has testified before a Kyiv court that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered the annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region in 2014.
NATO Expresses Concern About Russian Missile Deployment In Kaliningrad
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has called on Russia to be open and transparent about its deployment of Iskander missile systems in the Kaliningrad region, noting that Russia continues to develop its infrastructure and military presence there. (Russian Service)
Britain Blames Russia For 2017 Cyberattack
Britain has blamed Russia for a cyberattack last summer that disrupted companies across Europe.The Foreign Office said on February 15 that “the Russian government, specifically the Russian military,” was responsible for the so-called NotPetya ransomware attack in June.
Navalny Website Blocked In Russia Over 'Rybkagate'
Internet service providers in Russia have begun blocking access to opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's website following an order from the country's communications regulator.
Rights Group Urges FIFA To Address Abuses In Chechnya
The decision by Egypt’s national soccer team to select the Chechen capital, Grozny, as the location for its base camp during this summer’s World Cup in Russia has prompted Human Rights Watch to urge FIFA to tackle rights abuses in the region.
EU Extends Belarus Arms Ban, With An Exception
European Union diplomats have decided to extend the EU arms embargo on Belarus by another year but to make an exception for small-caliber sport guns.
Germany’s FM Declares Serbia Must Recognize Kosovo To Join EU
"If Serbia wants to move toward the European Union, the building of the rule of law is a primary condition, but naturally also the acceptance of Kosovo's independence," German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said at a joint news conference with Kosovo's Prime Minister in Pristina on February 14.
Kosovo's President Criticizes International War Crimes Court
Kosovo's president has called an international war crimes court with jurisdiction over potential Kosovar suspects a "historical injustice" and said the government only reluctantly accepted it as the "price for its liberty."
Journalist Escapes Deportation, Leaves Russia For Third Country
Journalist Ali Feruz, who for months faced the prospect of deportation from Russia to Uzbekistan, is on his way to a third country after court rulings in his favor.
Rights Watchdogs Urge Uzbekistan To Release Journalist, Others
Twelve human rights organizations have urged Uzbek authorities to release journalist Bobomurod Abdullaev and other people they say have been detained for “peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression."