VISUAL REPORTS
Mother Of Mercenary Soldier Recounts His Killing In Syria
Faina Gavrilova talks about her 34-year-old son, Ruslan Gavrilov, whom she claims was among more than 200 Russian mercenaries killed in an incident in Syria in early February.
Nationalist Rally In Kyiv Turns Violent
A rally organized by Ukrainian nationalist leader Mykola Kokhanivsky turned violent when far-right demonstrators burned the Russian flag and attacked institutions associated with Russia during a rally in Kyiv on February 18.
One Man, Three Votes?
A Belarus activist filmed himself voting multiple times in local elections, after reading about plans by authorities to combat voting fraud.
Kosovars In Pristina Celebrate Independence Day
Residents of Kosovo's capital took to the streets on February 17 to join in celebrations marking the country's independence anniversary.
OTHER NEWS
Russia's Lavrov Blames West For Tensions In Balkans
In an interview with Serbia's Beta news agency on February 19, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on a visit to the region, said that "anti-Russia" countries in the West were making Balkan states choose between the West and Russia as a condition of joining the EU and NATO.
Russian Embassy Says Conditions For Journalists In U.S. Deteriorating
A Russian Embassy official in Washington told journalists that conditions for Russian journalists in the U.S. are deteriorating, saying they “work in a country where slogans do not correspond with actions.” The remarks come two days after Ria Global, a company that produces content for the state-backed agency Sputnik, registered as a foreign agent in response to a request from the U.S. Justice Department. (Russian Service)
Russian Lawmaker Claims Innocence As Mafia Trial Opens In Spain
Russian lawmaker Vladislav Reznik and 17 other suspects have gone on trial in Spain accused of money laundering for two Russian organized-crime groups.
Head Of Navalny's Anticorruption Foundation Detained At Moscow Airport
Roman Rubanov, the director of Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny's Anticorruption Foundation, has reportedly been taken into police custody after being detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport on February 19.
Roskomnadzor Keeps Hands Off YouTube, Despite ‘Rybkagate’
Roskomnadzor has backed away from blocking YouTube, following a lawsuit filed against the video platform by Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska after it published a video produced by Aleksei Navalny’s Anticorruption Foundation about an alleged meeting between Deripaska and Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Prikhodko. The media regulator ordered internet service providers to block Navalny’s website beginning on February 15. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Muslim Leaders Condemn Church Shooting In Daghestan
The mainstream Muslim leadership in Russia's Daghestan region has condemned a February 18 attack that killed five people outside a Russian Orthodox church, saying that the suspect had "nothing to do with the true Islam."
In Russia’s Far East, Locals Wary Of Bid To Entice Newcomers
Government offers of subsidies and free plots of land intended to breathe life into Russia’s Far Eastern Amur Oblast have produced uneven results, with many longtime locals complaining that newcomers are getting assistance that they badly need themselves.
EU To Drop Sanctions On Two Yanukovych Associates
EU sources say there was not enough evidence to keep Serhiy Klyuyev and former Justice Minister Olena Lukash on the list of people targeted with sanctions for alleged involvement in embezzlement of state funds under former President Viktor Yanukovych.
Poroshenko To Testify On Anniversary Of Maidan Bloodshed
President Petro Poroshenko is due to testify at ousted predecessor Viktor Yanukovych's treason trial as Ukraine marks the anniversary of the bloodiest day of the Euromaidan protests that pushed the Moscow-friendly leader from power.
Latvian Central Bank Chief Accused Of Taking Bribes
Latvia's central-bank chief has been released from custody on bail hours after the Baltic country's anticorruption agency accused him of receiving at least 100,000 euros ($125,000) in bribes.
Radicalized Uzbek Addresses Court Over Stockholm Attack
Rakhmat Akilov, who has admitted to a truck attack that killed five people in Stockholm in 2017, told a court on February 20 that his aim was to force Sweden to end its fight against the extremist group Islamic State.
Mirziyoev Says Time's Up For 'Mad Dog' Uzbek Security Service
In a meeting with local activists in Bukhara Province on February 16, President Shavkat Mirziyoev continued his recent criticism of Uzbekistan’s National Security Service, calling its members "mad dogs" and accusing them of targeting "anyone who managed to become successful in business."
POWER VERTICAL: Putanism With Human Faces
With opponents like these, who needs allies?
POWER VERTICAL PODCAST: Russia’s Hunger Games
A big clue about how Vladimir Putin will govern in his fourth term will be revealed by what he does with the security services after the election.