VISUAL REPORTS
THE POWER VERTICAL: The Kremlin's Frankenstein Monster
The growing extremism of Orthodox Christian activists is entirely predictable.
VOX POP: Would You Like Putin To Run For Another Term?
A majority of respondents to an informal street poll in Moscow said they would like to see Russian President Vladimir Putin elected for another term, with many citing the absence of an alternative. Several people said that he has brought the country to a “dead end”; one said Putin might be a “great dacha neighbor,” but doesn't understand “how to run a country.” (Russian Service)
After Losing Feet, Russian Farmer Stands Strong
Aleksandr Buldakov, a farmer in Russia's Ural region, lost both feet in an accident 12 years ago. He has since adapted his tractor and car to operate by hand, rebuilt his house to make it disabled-accessible, and kept his large farm running by himself.
Once A Japanese Kamikaze, Now A Retired Farmer In Russia
A Japanese-born soldier assigned to a Kamikaze suicide squad in World War II is living out his years in Russia.
OTHER NEWS
Russia, Turkey, Iran Agree On Syrian ‘De-Escalation’ Zones
Negotiators from the three countries sponsoring Syria peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, say they have reached an agreement to set up de-escalation zones in Syria for six months.
Theories Fly As Wave Of Mysterious Bomb Threats Rattles Russia
Maybe it’s telephone terrorism. Maybe it’s a secret test of the country’s civil defense. Or maybe it’s a new form of cyberwarfare. Russia has been hit by hundreds of fake bomb threats over the past five days.
Azerbaijan Releases Opposition Newspaper Executive From Prison
Faiq Amirli, the financial director of the Azerbaijani opposition daily Azadliq (Liberty), has walked free after an appeals court replaced his prison term with a suspended sentence.
Meet 'Christian State,' Russia’s Hard-Core Religious Activists
Recent violence directed at numerous cinemas over a controversial Russian film has thrust the previously obscure ‘Christian State’ into Russia’s national limelight.
Russian Rocker Accuses Radiohead Of 'Ripping Off' His Video
Veteran Russian rock musician Andrei Makarevich has accused British rock band Radiohead of "ripping off" its new music video from a 16-year-old clip by his band Mashina Vremeni (Time Machine).
Senior Russian Penitentiary Official Charged With Embezzlement
Russia's Investigative Committee has charged the deputy chief of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) with embezzling 160 million rubles ($2.7 million).
Ukraine’s Former Justice Minister On Trial For Constitutional Maneuvering In 2010
Yanukovych-era Justice Minister Oleksandr Lavrynovych is facing charges in a Kyiv court of facilitating efforts to engineer constitutional changes expanding the powers of the head of state. (Ukrainian Service)
Kazakh President To Visit Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev will pay a working visit to Uzbekistan and attend the opening of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat.
Families Welcome Reopening Of Kyrgyz, Uzbek Border Posts
A handful of checkpoints along the 1,300-kilometer Kyrgyz-Uzbek border are expected to reopen any day, reversing controls imposed by Uzbekistan in 2005 and again in 2010.
INFOGRAPHIC: Russians’ Fading Fears