VIDEO REPORTS
U.S. Soldiers Arrive In Latvia As 'Tactical March' Moves On
About 1,400 soldiers in 400 vehicles from the U.S. Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment rolled into the southern Latvian town of Daugavpils on June 6, near the borders of Lithuania and Belarus, as part of a “Dragoon Ride” across six NATO countries in eastern Europe.
VoxPop: Are You Following The Investigation Of Downed Flight MH17 In Donbas?
A majority of respondents in a street poll in Moscow finds that almost everyone believes that Ukraine shot down the airliner, and that Moscow played no role. (Russian Service)
Central Asia Mourns Muhammad Ali
When boxing legend Muhammad Ali is buried on Friday, people around the world will mourn. We asked his fans in Central Asia what he meant to them.
Macedonian Protests Continue Despite Concessions
Anti-government protesters clashed with police on June 6 as nightly demonstrations continued in Macedonia despite an apparent conciliatory move from the president.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Azerbaijan Insiders Benefited From Currency Collapse
Transactions made by members of Azerbaijan’s ruling family in the days and weeks before a crippling 2015 devaluation of the national currency raise questions about what the president knew of the impending devaluation and whether family members and a business partner moved to protect their businesses and earn a profit from the crisis.
Putin Preaches Free-Press Gospel At State-Run Media Forum
Russian President Vladimir Putin told a media forum sponsored by Rossiya Segodnya on June 7 that information should not be subject to "repressive actions," despite mounting signs that his government is stepping up efforts to curtail dissent.
Savchenko Willing To Talk To Separatists
Ukrainian airwoman Nadia Savchenko told Ukrainian media on June 7 she believes direct peace talks with separatist leaders would be more effective than the current talks that have included Russia, Ukraine, France, and Germany.
As Economy Falters, United Russia’s Popularity Falls
In an interview with RFE/RL, opposition politician Vladimir Ryzhkov attributed United Russia’s decline in popularity to economic distress that has caused falling hopes and incomes. Massive military and capital spending projects have further strained domestic conditions, resulting in stagnation and a growing protest mood. (In Russian)
Political Experts Rate Poroshenko’s First Two Years
Political commentator Andriy Palyi assessed the Ukrainian President’s tenure positively, pointing to improvements including modest economic growth. Former Ukrainian parliamentarian Oles Doniy said Poroshenko is in politics for personal enrichment, noting the recent proliferation of chocolate shops owned by Roshen, a company founded by Poroshenko, in Kyiv. (In Ukrainian)
Kerch Bridge In Financial Straits
Stroygazmontazh, a company belonging to Russian oligarch Arkady Rotenberg that is financing the construction of the promised bridge in Crimea, has suspended its contract, claiming it has received no state funds since December 2015. (In Russian/Current Time TV)
More Ukrainians Put Ukrainian Language First
A poll by Ukraine's Razumkov Center finds that the number of respondents identifying Russian as their native language has fallen by half since 2006, from 31 percent to 15 percent in 2015. Those who call Ukrainian their native language rose from 52 percent to 60 percent. Twenty-two percent of respondents say both languages are native. (In Ukrainian)
Suspects In Aqtobe Attacks Elude Kazakh Authorities
Kazakh authorities are still searching for at least six surviving suspects after deadly weekend attacks in western Kazakhstan that left 19 people dead and dozens more injured.
Activists Sue Kyrgyz President
Prominent rights activists Tolekan Ismailova and Aziza Abdyrasulova are suing Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev, demanding public apologies and roughly $29,300 in damages for calling the two women "saboteurs" in May.