VISUAL REPORTS
Investigators Say Buk Missile From Russian Antiaircraft Brigade Downed MH17
A Dutch-led international criminal investigation has concluded that the Buk missile that shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine in 2014 came from Russia's 53rd Antiaircraft Missile Brigade.
Russian Villagers Send SOS As Homes Crumble
Desperate villagers have painted "SOS" in big letters on their roofs to get help from authorities in Tatarstan, Russia. Their houses are crumbling, they have no running water, and the last public buses were in March.
Violence Escalates In Donbas, But Ukrainian Military Insists No Assault
Members of Ukraine’s military believe that Russia-backed separatists in the country’s eastern region are taking preemptive action against a feared Ukrainian offensive by shelling Ukrainian positions with mortars, often hitting civilian homes. The military has provided assurances that there will be no assault against the separatists, as it would violate the Minsk agreements. (Current Time TV)
OTHER NEWS
Poroshenko Calls BBC Report On Secret Payment To Trump Lawyer 'Blatant Lie'
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has lashed out at a May 23 BBC report alleging that intermediaries acting on his behalf arranged a secret $400,000 payment to Michael Cohen, U.S. President Donald Trump's longtime lawyer, to set up talks between the two leaders.
U.S. Says Disrupted Major Russian Cyberattack, Possibly On Ukraine
The U.S. Justice Department says that it has seized an Internet domain controlled by a hacking group tied to Russian military intelligence that was planning a major cyberattack, possibly in Ukraine.
Macron And Putin To Meet In St. Petersburg
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, are expected to discuss the Iran nuclear deal and the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine during the French leader’s first trip as president to Russia on May 24.
Duma Bends On Sanctions Bill, But Stands Firm On Punishing 'Abettors'
Russian lawmakers have signaled they may water down draft legislation that would prescribe criminal penalties for Russian citizens who comply with international sanctions targeting Moscow, but lawmaker Ivan Melnikov declared that “everyone believes that [prosecution for abetting the introduction of sanctions against Russia] should remain in the Criminal Code.”
Russian NGOs Call On Duma To Punish Sexual Harassment By MPs
Several NGOs in Russia have sent a letter to the State Duma demanding punishment for sexual harassment by the chamber’s deputies. The text of the letter, published by the Russian office of Transparency International, says that “Russian society still does not have a legal mechanism to bring people occupying high posts to bear at least some responsibility for obscene behavior and scandalous statements.” (Russian Service)
Rusal CEO, Top Managers Resign Over U.S. Sanctions
Russian aluminum giant Rusal says its chief executive, Aleksandra Buriko, and half of the members of its managerial board have resigned to make sure the firm avoids U.S. sanctions against its founder, Oleg Deripaska.
Ukraine Extends Media Ban To Numerous Russian Outlets
Ukraine’s presidential administration has published an updated sanctions list on its website that includes Russia Today and RIA Novosti Ukraine, and instructs Ukrainian internet providers to block access to domains belonging to Sputniknews.com, Ria.ru, Rsport.ria.ru, 1prime.ru, Realty.ria.ru, rian.com.ua, and several Russian TV channels, including Pervyi Kanal and Rossiya24. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Vilnius Dedicates Plaza Opposite Russian Embassy To Boris Nemtsov
The Lithuanian capital's city council has voted to name a square outside the Russian Embassy after slain Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, calling him a "symbol of the struggle for democracy" in his country.
Belarusian Court Reportedly Jails Ukrainian Reporter For Spying
Media reports say a Belarusian court convened behind closed doors has sentenced Ukrainian reporter Pavlo Sharoyko to more than eight years in prison after convicting him of espionage.
Georgia Accuses Russia Of 'Ethnic Cleansing' At European Court
Georgian representatives have accused Russia of ethnic cleansing in territory it captured during the 2008 war as Europe's top human rights court heard a case on the brief conflict between the two countries.
Kazakhstan Buys Russian Military Hardware
Kazakhstan has signed an agreement with Russia on the purchase of Mi-35 combat helicopters and one battalion of Buk-M2E missile systems. According to the deal, inked during the international KADEX-2018 arms show in Astana, Russia will also supply Kazakhstan with eight Su-30SM aircraft. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Following President’s Lead, Top Tajik Diplomat Changes Name
Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Aslov has changed his surname to Muhriddin, becoming the latest top government official to follow President Emomali Rahmon's shift away from Slavic-derived names.