VIDEO REPORTS
The Chernobyl Disaster: How It Happened
On April 26, 1986, a routine safety test at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine spiraled out of control, resulting in the world's worst civilian nuclear disaster.
Revisiting the Soviet Version of Chernobyl
In the days, weeks and months after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, facts were hard to come by, especially if you were watching Soviet media at the time.
Landmines A Bitter Harvest For Donbas Farmers
Farmers in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region are facing the perils of planting spring crops in a conflict zone where, after two years of war, thousands of mines and unexploded shells lurk beneath the soil.
Violence erupted during anti-government protests on April 24 in Moldova's capital, Chisinau, as demonstrators clashed with police.
Macedonia Anti-Government Protesters Throw Paint
In what some observers are dubbing the "Colorful Revolution," thousands of protesters wearing vibrant clothes threw paint balls at Macedonia's Foreign Ministry building in Skopje on April 25 to protest government excess.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
PODCAST: The Power Vertical Briefing: The War On The Media
This week, RBK, one of Russia’s last independent media voices, comes under pressure, and the country gets a new, creative commissioner for human rights.
Belarus, U.S. ‘Ready’ To Discuss Normalization
Scott Rauland, the top U.S. diplomat in Belarus, and Belarus Foreign Minister Uladzimer Makey said on April 25 in Minsk that their countries are prepared to discuss the possible return of their ambassadors.
Russia To Spend About $1 Billion To Rebuild Syria
Syria’s Prime Minister Wael Nader al-Halqi said in an April 25 interview with Russian media that Moscow and Damascus have signed several contracts to rebuild Syria’s infrastructure, including to repair electricity networks and supply them with fuel. (In Russian/Current Time TV)
BBC Accuses British, Russian Media Of Skewing MH17 Reporting
The BBC has issued a rare defense of an upcoming documentary about the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine, accusing British media of distorting its report about the tragedy that killed 298 passengers and crew in July 2014.
Woman Found Guilty For Pro-Ukraine ‘Likes’ On Social Media
A court in Russia’s Sverdlovsk region rejected the appeal of Ekaterina Volgzheninova, a single mother who was found guilty of inciting hatred after she “liked” and reposted pro-Ukrainian messages on social networks. She was placed on a watch list of alleged terrorists and extremists, sentenced to 320 hours of community service, and her computer was seized. (In Russian/Current Time TV)
Russia's Zhirinovsky No Longer So Wacky
Russian firebrand politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky made his name with crackpot, bellicose, and often offensive statements, but are his ideas really so eccentric in the current Russian context?
Ukraine’s Exempt And Privileged Ones
RFE/RL’s investigative program “Schemes” reports that several senior Ukraine officials, among them former Speakers of Parliament Volodymyr Rybak and Volodymyr Lytvyn and former Presidents Viktor Yushchenko and Leonid Kuchma, continue to use official cars, housing, trips, and other state privileges long after leaving their positions. (In Ukrainian)
30 Years Later, Nature Triumphs Over Catastrophe
Thirty years after the catastrophe, forests have grown, swamps have been replenished, and wild animals appear comfortable in Chernobyl’s 30-kilometer exclusion zone. (In Ukrainian)
Armenia Tightens Security After Bus Blast In Capital
President Serzh Sarkisian has ordered police to tighten security after a massive explosion on a bus killed at least two passengers and wounded seven others in Yerevan.
PHOTOGALLERY: Chernobyl -- Land Of Milk And Honey?
MOST/READ RUSSIA: Why Do We Need Such A President?
Nikolay Suvorov, an 85-year pensioner from the city of Balakovo in the Saratov region, told RFE/RL that “if people know Putin is sued, at least more will go to the elections.” He has filed a lawsuit against Russian President Vladimir Putin, demanding his resignation as "an enemy of the people,” a “friend of oligarchs and officials,” and for looting Russia and starting the second Chechen war. His case was dropped by a local court, but he has filed an appeal and expects a verdict in three weeks. (over 50K on Russian Service website)