PHOTOGALLERY
Ukraine’s Beautiful Tree Tunnel Is An Accidental Wonder
VIDEO REPORTS
Russia Rocket Launch Successful
Russia has launched a rocket for the first time from the newly built Vostochny Cosmodrome, one day after a technical glitch thwarted an earlier launch.
Russian Police Train To Disperse Protesters
In what some onlookers perceived as a disproportionate use of force, police in a training exercise in the city of Smolensk used barbed wire, tear gas, and riot gear to disperse peaceful protesters. (In Russian/Current Time TV)
Activists In Belarus Protest New Nuclear Project
On the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, activists in Minsk protested the construction of a nuclear power plant in Astravets, near Belarus's border with Lithuania.
Kazakhs In Two Cities Protest Land Privatizations
Protests continued in two Kazakh cities against a government plan to privatize agricultural land that would then be available for rent by foreigners under 10-25 year leases.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Revelations in the Panama Papers of the city’s Russian mayor’s 20 offshore holdings have sparked unrest in this strategic city.
Savchenko Extradition Procedure Has Begun
According to Mark Feygin, Nadia Savchenko’s lawyer, on April 27 the imprisoned Ukrainian pilot received documents required for her extradition to Ukraine. (In Ukrainian)
Savchenko’s Sister Detained In Russia
Vira Savchenko, the sister of imprisoned pilot Nadia Savchenko, has been released to the Ukrainian consulate in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don after reportedly being detained by Russian border guards on her way back to Ukraine on April 27. She could face up to six months in prison for “contempt of court” for allegedly offending a judge in a Chechnya court last year. (In Ukrainian)
Balcerowicz Takes Seat In Ukraine Cabinet
In what some analysts are characterizing as an image-building exercise, renowned Polish economist, former chairman of the National Bank of Poland and former Deputy Premier Leszek Balcerowicz has been named to Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers as a representative of President Petro Poroshenko. (In Ukrainian)
Ukraine Doubles Tariffs On Natural Gas
Ukraine’s new government has raised individual and corporate gas tariffs effective May 1. The new price per 1,000 cubic meters of natural gas will be approximately $273.8, doubling the current cost of heat and hot water. (In Ukrainian)
Shuster Resumes Work In Ukraine
Authorities in Ukraine have suspended a decision to revoke the work permit for journalist Savik Shuster, pending clarification of tax-related issues. (In Russian/Current Time TV)
In a development eyed by other Ukrainian cities, authorities in the western city of Lviv have banned performances by local and foreign artists that support Russian aggression, promote separatism, or offend the honor and dignity of the Ukrainian people. (In Ukrainian)
Names Of Russia's Elite Vanish From Property Records
As Kremlin foes continue to dig up evidence of luxury properties held by top officials and their family members, the names of Russia's ruling elite are vanishing from public property records in what activists believe is a deliberate -- and illegal -- attempt to hide corruption and cronyism.
‘They Thought They Got Away With The Crime Against Magnitsky’
William Browder, head of Hermitage Capital, told RFE/RL, “we found approximately $200 million out of the $230 million [stolen from Russia’s state budget and] discovered by Sergei Magnitsky” in offshore accounts belonging to cellist Sergey Roldugin, a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Browder expects forthcoming revelations from the Panama Papers to provide additional information about persons and money involved in Magnitsky’s murder. (In Russian)