Oleh Sentsov Speaks To The Press
In his first news conference together with Aleksandr Kol’chensko since their release from a Russian prison on Saturday, Ukrainian director Oleh Sentsov insisted that all remaining Ukrainian prisoners be freed. He added, "We have to remember ...there are many Russians who are fighting for themselves, for a free Russia and for our Ukraine… and we must not divide them from us.” Current Time carried the broadcast live from Kyiv for Russian-speaking audiences.
VISUAL REPORTS
After Ukraine-Russia Prisoner Swap, Can Zelenskiy Capitalize On Momentum?
For Ukraine-Russia relations, the September 7 prisoner exchange marked the first bright spot in years, and boosted hope that it may open a path for further progress toward resolving the war in eastern Ukraine. For new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, it was a quick victory on a campaign promise, but the challenge for him now will be to build on this momentum.
Putin's Party Weakened In Moscow Election After Weeks Of Protests
Russia’s ruling United Russia party lost one third of its seats in Moscow's city council elections, making it a victory of sorts for anti-Kremlin politicians who were denied a place on the ballot.
Outrage About Kyrgyz School Made From Shipping Containers
A new school in a village in central Kyrgyzstan made up of shipping containers has caused a social media stir and has been linked to the resignation of the country's education minister.
OTHER NEWS
Top CIA Informant Extracted From Russia In 2017
U.S. media have reported that the CIA in 2017 extracted a Russian who provided top-secret intelligence on President Vladimir Putin, including information about alleged Russian meddling in the U.S. 2016 presidential election.
Five Takeaways From The Elections In Moscow And Elsewhere
Here are five things to know about the vote, and what it could mean for Russia as the Kremlin tries to figure out what to do ahead of Putin’s planned-but-not-guaranteed departure from office in 2024.
Ukraine's Zelenskiy To Travel To U.S. Later This Month
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will visit the United States on September 23 to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said a bilateral meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Zelenskiy was discussed with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence in Warsaw recently, but a specific date has not been set.
Putin, Macron Say Prisoner Swap Gives Momentum For Peace Talks
French President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin say a prisoner swap between Kyiv and Moscow has given momentum to talks on resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The two leaders spoke by phone on September 8.
Ukraine Says Hundreds Remain In Detention In Donbas
Ukraine’s Security Service says that 227 Ukrainians are still being forcibly held by Russia-backed separatists in the country’s eastern regions. Among them are RFE/RL Ukrainian contributors Stanislav Aseyev and Oleh Halaziuk, both detained incommunicado since July and August 2017, respectively. Officials said that “work on the release of Ukrainian citizens continues.” (Ukrainian Service)
Release Of Other Imprisoned Ukrainians Under Discussion
Ukrainian and Russian officials are discussing the possible "liberation" of 113 Ukrainian nationals, including 89 Crimean Tatars, who are jailed in Russia, Ukrainian ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova said in a televised interview on September 10.
Freed Ukrainian Journalist Banned From Russia For 20 Years
Roman Sushchenko, a Ukrainian journalist convicted of espionage in Russia, who was pardoned by Russian President Vladimir Putin and included in the September 7 prisoner exchange, was banned from entering Russia for 20 years. (Russian Service)
Russia Accuses Facebook, Google Of Meddling In Elections
In a statement issued on the day Russians voted in municipal and regional polls, the country’s media regulator Roskomnadzor accused U.S. tech giants Google and Facebook of violating legislation prohibiting political advertising during elections, saying the actions by the two Internet companies were "unacceptable" and could be regarded as “interference in the sovereign affairs” of the country.
Russian Journalist Golunov Receives Anna Politkovskaya Award For Courage
Russian investigative journalist Ivan Golunov whose arrest on fabricated illegal drug charges caused a mass outcry and rallies in Moscow in June, has received the Anna Politkovskaya award for professional courage.
Inside Ukraine's Secret Mission To Capture An MH17 'Suspect'
The account of the mission, told exclusively to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service by an operative who was involved, offers the first detailed look at how Ukraine managed to capture Volodymyr Tsemakh and bring him to Kyiv.
Moscow To Cut Gas Prices For Moldova, Dodon Says
Moldova President Igor Dodon announced after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Sept. 7 that Russia will cut the price for natural gas sold to his country starting October 1.
Kazakhs Protest Chinese ‘Expansion’ As Toqaev Sets Out For Beijing
Dozens of activists have rallied in Kazakhstan's southwestern town of Zhanaozen for the seventh day, protesting against Chinese investments and industrial projects as President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev prepares to pay an official two-day visit to Beijing.
REPORT: CPJ: Turkmenistan, Iran, Belarus Among World's 'Most Censored Countries'
PRESSROOM: Current Time Racks Up Distinctions And Awards