VISUAL REPORTS
Kyiv Celebrates Ukrainian Independence With Military Parade
Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day on August 24 with an elaborate military parade through central Kyiv that was attended by U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, along with troops from the U.S., Canada, Britain, Poland, and other countries.
Russia Objects To Call To Remove Troops From Transdniester
Russia's ambassador to the United Nations has objected to the Moldovan government's call for the UN to discuss withdrawing Russian troops from its breakaway Transdniester region at next month's General Assembly session.
One-Woman Protest Draws Police Response In Kazakhstan
A 73-year-old woman's protest on behalf of political prisoners in Kazakhstan turned into a drawn-out encounter with police near President Nursultan Nazarbaev's residence in Astana. (RFE/RL's Kazakh Service)
Ukraine's Amber-Mining Outlaws
Criminal gangs remain in control of much of Ukraine's amber business, which is worth as much as $500 million each year.
Baku Celebrates As Qarabag Qualifies For Champions’ League
FK Qarabag became the first team from Azerbaijan to qualify for Europe's biggest club soccer competition, the Champions League.
OTHER NEWS
Russian Activist Dies After Attack At Nemtsov Memorial
A rights activist who was attacked while guarding a makeshift memorial to assassinated Russian politician Boris Nemtsov has died in the hospital, friends said.
At Least 16 Dead As Russian Bus Falls Into Sea
Russian authorities say at least 16 people are dead after a bus packed with construction workers fell into the sea on the Taman Peninsula near Crimea.
'It's Only Getting Darker': Arrested Russian Director Has Long Record Of Dissent
Theater and film director Kirill Serebrennikov, whose arrest in Moscow this week on embezzlement charges rocked Russia’s political and cultural classes, has repeatedly clashed with officials over artistic freedoms and sharply criticized the ruling elite.
Fresh From Prison, Russia's Udaltsov Rejoins Political Fray
Sergei Udaltsov, the 40-year-old leader of Russia’s opposition Left Front movement, was released from prison on August 8 after completing a 4 1/2-year term for his role in organizing mass protests against election fraud in May 2012.
Last Convicted Russian 'Bolotnaya' Protester Released From Prison
Ivan Nepomnyashchikh, released from prison on August 24 after serving a 30-month sentence, is the last Russian activist imprisoned following clashes at a protest on May 6, 2012, the eve of President Vladimir Putin's inauguration to his current term.
Russian Prosecutor Assails Interpol Refusal To Issue Browder Warrant
Russia’s Prosecutor-General has objected to Interpol’s latest refusal to put British-American investor William Browder on an international wanted list.
U.S. Judge Rejects Latest Effort By Former Yukos Shareholders In Arbitration Fight
A U.S. federal judge has rejected an effort by former shareholders of the dismantled Russian oil giant Yukos to force a powerful U.S. law firm to turn over evidence related to a $50 billion arbitration fight.
North Korea’s First Official Travel Agency Opens In Russia
North Korea has opened NKorean, its first travel agency in Russia, to support the North Korean embassy in Russia. (In Russian, Current Time TV)
Ukraine Activists Mark Two Years Since Filmmaker Sentsov's Conviction In Russia
Supporters of Crimean film director Oleh Sentsov were set to hold rallies in Ukraine to mark two years since his conviction in Russia following a trial that has drawn international condemnation.
Just Business: What And Why Ukraine Still Buys From Russia?
Despite the war, Ukraine remains dependent on so-called “critical imports” from Russia, including energy for nuclear power, which, according to the State Statistics Service, has contributed to an increase in the foreign trade volume between the two countries for the first half of 2017 of 26.4 percent over the same period last year. (Ukrainian Service)
Watchdog Condemns Belarus's Persecution Of Independent Journalists
The journalism watchdog group Reporters Without Borders on August 24 condemned the increasing persecution of independent journalists in Belarus, citing the ongoing trials of five journalists.
THE POWER VERTICAL: The Emperor Meets The Gamer
BLOGGING THE CAUCASUS: Georgia’s Ruling Party, Opposition Seek Consensus On New Draft Constitution
FURTHER AFIELD: Podcast: Trump’s New Afghanistan, South Asia Strategy
Expert perspectives from Afghanistan.