VISUAL REPORTS
THE POWER VERTICAL: The West’s Values And Moscow’s Ambitions
For now, the West can have better relations with Russia, or it can stick to its values.
Beslan: Three Days Of Terror
On September 1, 2004, Chechen militants stormed an elementary school in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of North Ossetia. They took 1,100 teachers, children, and their relatives hostage, demanding the withdrawal of federal forces from Chechnya as a condition for their release.
Procession Marks Day Of Missing Persons In Belgrade
Families laid flowers at a memorial in the Serbian capital in honor of relatives who disappeared in the wars of the 1990s. According to the Red Cross, the number of missing people in the former Yugoslavia exceeds 10,000.
Tajik Law Appears To Target Hijab-Wearing Women
Tajikistan has passed a law that urges citizens to wear traditional clothes in what appears to be an effort to discourage women from wearing the Islamic hijab.
OTHER NEWS
Lavrov Says Russia Studying U.S. Order, Avoids Criticizing Trump
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says that Moscow is examining the U.S. demand for the closure of three diplomatic missions in the United States and will respond after further study.
New Diplomatic Tit-For-Tat As U.S. Orders Russian Consulate In San Francisco Closed
The United States has ordered the closure of Russia’s consulate in San Francisco, escalating a diplomatic tit-for-tat that followed Moscow’s demand for a sharp cut in U.S. diplomatic personnel in Russia.
After Four Years Of Drama, EU-Ukraine Agreement Comes Into Force
The Association Agreement strengthening ties between Ukraine and the European Union entered into force on September 1, marking an end to four years of political drama surrounding the accord.
New Navalny Video Alleges Secret Island Dacha Used By Putin
Anti-corruption crusader Aleksei Navalny released a new video on August 30 that examines a Russian island near the Finnish border where a venerable country house has been restored and, he alleges, used by Russian President Vladimir Putin for holidays.
'All-Encompassing Cannibalism': Suspect In Russian Director's Fraud Case Warns Of Repressions
A suspect in the criminal investigation into prominent Russian theater and film director Kirill Serebrennikov has warned of a looming clampdown by authorities and urged “uncompromising resistance” in the fraud case that has sent shock waves through Russia’s political and cultural classes.
Molotov Cocktails Thrown At Studio Of Embattled Russian Director
The studio of Russian director Aleksei Uchitel, who has been under pressure from conservative activists for his film highlighting the romantic youth of Tsar Nicholas II, has reportedly been attacked.
Unprepared Russian Prosecutor Wins Delay In Crimea Journalist’s Trial
The trial of Crimean journalist Mykola Semena will resume later this month after the first hearing in weeks produced little progress toward a resolution of the politically charged case.
Yanukovych Crimea Residence Ends Up In Kremlin Hands
The investigative group Municipal Scanner reports that companies associated with Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest associates have acquired an unfinished residence in Crimea that previously belonged to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. (Russian Service)
Ukraine Expels Russian State TV Journalist
Ukrainian authorities say they have expelled Russian state TV correspondent Anna Kurbatova, despite condemnation from Russia and the OSCE.
Estonia Bans Three Russian Reporters From EU Meeting
Estonia has barred three Russian journalists from covering an EU meeting in Tallinn on September 7, only days after Ukraine expelled a reporter working with Russian state TV.
Belarus Opposition Leader Statkevich Released From Jail
Belarus opposition leader Nikolai Statkevich was released from jail on August 31 after serving a five-day jail sentence for protesting the forthcoming “Zapad 2017” military exercises. Statkevich told RFE/RL that the actions targeting him and his family are intended to force them to leave the country. (Belarus Service)
Belarus Provides New Information About Allegedly Abducted Ukrainian Teen
Belarus authorities said on August 31 that a Ukrainian teenager whose disappearance has triggered claims of a Russia-orchestrated kidnapping entered the country a week earlier, but that they have no record of his departure.
Former Kyrgyz President Otunbaeva Criticizes Atambaev For 'Big Mistake'
Former Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbaeva says her successor, incumbent Almazbek Atambaev, has reversed "all the country's achievements" over the last two years.
BLOGGING THE CAUCASUS: Kadyrov Ally Suspended From United Russia After Moscow Shooting Incident
FURTHER AFIELD: The Iranian Officials Who Use Twitter, Despite State Ban
PRESSROOM: International Monitors Urge Donetsk Blogger’s Release