VISUAL REPORTS
THE POWER VERTICAL: Exporting Putinism
The poisoning of former Russian agent Sergei Skripal shows, yet again, the extent to which Vladimir Putin's regime recognizes neither international norms nor rules.
Russian Dust-Up In Los Angeles
This is what happened when an anti-Putin protester met pro-Putin compatriots at a polling place in Los Angeles.
VOX POP: In Your View, Has The Election Campaign Been Fair?
The overwhelming majority of respondents to an informal street poll in Moscow said the campaign has been fair and open, they believe the elections will be free, fair and accessible, and they plan to vote for President Vladimir Putin. (Russian Service)
OTHER NEWS
Moscow To Expel British Diplomats In Response To London
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced on March 15 that Moscow will expel British diplomats in a tit-for-tat response to a British decision to expel Russian diplomats on March 14. Lavrov provided no details, but called Britain’s accusations that Russia poisoned former secret agent Sergei Skripal “unfounded, groundless and boorish.” (Russian Service)
Russians Mock Themselves - And Each Other - Over Novichok Affair
As relations between Russia and the United Kingdom deteriorate following the March 4 poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal with a deadly chemical substance known as novichok, commentators on Russian-language social media have found the situation irresistible.
Russia Designates European Vote-Monitoring Groups 'Undesirable'
The Russian government has blacklisted two European organizations involved in election monitoring, days ahead of the March 18 presidential vote.
Putin Thanks Crimean Residents In Pre-Election Visit
The U.S. State Department and the Ukrainian president have sharply criticized comments made by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sevastopol, the Crimean capital, in which he characterized the 2014 referendum on Russia’s annexation of the peninsula as "real democracy" and a restoration of “historical justice.”
Russian Mercenaries Describe Life Inside The 'Meat Grinder'
The Russian mercenaries fighting in Syria say they are not in the country for the money or to help Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. "[Syrians] can't stand Assad," one commander told RFE/RL. "Really. Only a tiny percentage of the population there supports him and the rest oppose him. Only [Russian President Vladimir] Putin supports him. Russia supports him -- no one else."
Kadyrov Ridicules Harassment Claims, Tweets In Praise Of Real Men
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov commented on Twitter that sexual harassment accusations against Russian State Duma deputy Leonid Slutsky are “delirious,” adding that remarks of a sexual nature can be a “compliment to a beautiful girl,” and are “the duty of real men." (in Russian, Current Time TV)
'War Hero' Savchenko Accused Of Terror Plot
Lawmaker and former Russian captive Nadia Savchenko has traded incendiary accusations with senior Ukrainian authorities, and faces possible arrest over what Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko alleged was a detailed plan for a devastating "terrorist" attack on parliament.
Draft Armenian Antiterror Law Raises Fears Of Censorship
Activists in Armenia have voiced concern that an antiterrorism provision included in a draft criminal code could be used to criminalize criticism of the government.
Karabakh Leader Visits U.S.
The ethnic-Armenian leader of Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh has arrived in the United States for a visit that has triggered a protest from authorities in Baku.
President Vucic Says Serbia Ready For Compromise Over Kosovo
In a meeting on March 14 with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European And Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said, "We can accept only a compromise ... but not a humiliation of our own people."
Macedonia Passes Law Boosting Albanian Language Status
Macedonia's parliament has passed a law extending the official use of the Albanian language, despite protests from the right-wing opposition who say the decision will jeopardize unity in the Balkan country.
Kyrgyzstan Urged To End Restrictive Media Practices
A coalition of 29 press freedom organizations from around the world has called on Kyrgyz authorities to drop defamation lawsuits and end the practice of using "harsh penalties" to punish critical media outlets and reporters.
Uzbek President Renames Security Service
President Shavkat Mirziyoev has renamed Uzbekistan's National Security Service, decreeing on March 14 that it henceforth be referred to as the State Security Service, with responsibility for protecting human rights, national security, and national interests at home and abroad.