VISUAL REPORTS
INTERVIEW: Armenian President Sees Progress Toward 'Real Democratic State'
President Armen Sarkisian took office in early April, shortly before a wave of mass protests forced the prime minister to resign. In an interview on April 26, he told RFE/RL that Armenia is involved in a democratic process, and dismissed speculation about foreign influence in this month's events.
Pashinian Demands 'Really Free' Elections In Armenia
Armenian protest leader Nikol Pashinian said on April 27 that "really free" elections must be the solution to his country's political crisis.
Three Religions, One Bosnian Army
Once they fought each other, but now they're all in the same army. Muslims, Croats, and Serbs serve together in the Bosnian military, which accommodates the religious practices of the country's three main faiths.
Haunted Hallways: Chernobyl Engineers Revisit Doomed Reactor
April 26, 2018, marks 32 years since the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine. Three former Chernobyl engineers returned to their workplace in 2016, accompanied by RFE/RL journalists.
OTHER NEWS
The Week In Russia: A Matter Of Trust
Vladimir Putin saw his ratings drop in the wake of a landslide election, and watched as the longtime leader of a country in Russia's close orbit was pushed from power by street protests. Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week, and some of the takeaways going forward.
EU Lawmakers Urge Magnitsky Act To Tackle Kremlin Influence
Dozens of lawmakers in the European Parliament have called on the European Union to adopt legislation that would punish Russian businessmen for money-laundering activities within the bloc.
New Ukrainian Helicopters, Old Russian-Made Blades
RFE/RL’s investigative program Schemes has revealed that Ukraine’s military continues to use old Soviet equipment that often requires repairs and replacement parts from Russian defense contractors. The Mi - type helicopters, for example, are still equipped with Russia-manufactured blades, and they are imported through a shady channel that enriches the leading family of Ukraine’s state-run defense company Ukroboronprom. (Ukrainian Service)
Ukraine Police Break Silence After Video Shows Far-Right Attack On Roma
When a Romany camp in the Ukrainian capital was attacked and burned by far-right nationalists, the police downplayed it, saying the men had merely set alight their "rubbish" and had no reason to investigate. Then a video went viral.
Pashinian Vows More Protests After Acting PM Rejects Talks
Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinian has vowed to continue antigovernment protests after acting Prime Minister Karen Karapetian refused to meet with him.
Georgian Billionaire Ivanishvili To Lead Ruling Party
Billionaire and former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili will retake control of the ruling Georgian Dream party, which he founded, replacing current party leader Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.
Serbia Bans Croatian Defense Minister In Tit-For-Tat Move
Serbia has barred Croatian Defense Minister Damir Krsticevic from entering the country until further notice after a similar action by Zagreb, saying the move was a "reciprocity measure."
Kyrgyz Investigators Question Ex-PM Days After Dismissal
Kyrgyz former Prime Minister Sapar Isakov says he has been questioned by investigators over an incident that left areas of the capital city without heating last winter.
Kazakh Man Recounts ‘Reeducation’ In Western Chinese Camp
Kayrat Samarkan is an ethnic Kazakh from China who was recently released from a "reeducation" facility in China's western Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region that is believed to have detained tens of thousands in a long-running campaign targeting Xinjiang's Muslims.
Turkmenistan Adopts Non-Western Dress Code For Women
Turkmen authorities have declared a new dress code for women that requires their attire to cover the entire body and reach the floor, leaving only fingers and the tips of shoes visible. Sources say state employees and students will be the first to be subject to the new requirements. (in Russian, Turkmen Service)
MOST READ/RUSSIA: Prigozhin Takes Kremlin Fight To Africa
Russian military instructors and mercenaries from private companies are on the ground and active in Central and Eastern Africa, and Russian political advisers are involved in electoral preparations in South Africa, Madagascar and Kenya, reports the Russian newspaper Kommersant. The man behind the so-called Africa Project is Yevgeny Prigozhin, the close Putin associate and St. Petersburg billionaire who is tied to a well-documented troll factory, and the Wagner paramilitary group whose members have been deployed in Syria and elsewhere. (over 46k views on Russian Service website)