VISUAL REPORTS
Russian Navy Shows Off Maritime Might In Zapad 2017 Drills
The Russian Navy flexed its military might on the Barents Sea as warships from the country's Baltic Fleet took part in the large-scale Zapad (West) 2017 military drills.
Rapid Trident Military Drills Continue In Ukraine
U.S.-led military drills continue near the western Ukrainian city of Yavoriv. More than 1,800 troops from 14 countries are taking part in the Rapid Trident exercises, held each year since 1996.
Kazakhstan Bars Girls Wearing Hijab From School
In accordance with a 2016 law, Kazakhstan has barred children wearing religious scarves from attending school, and has threatened their parents with court and fines. (over 94k views on Current Time TV, Facebook)
OTHER NEWS
U.S. Senate Passes Bill To Fund New Cruise Missile, Fight Russian Propaganda
The U.S. Senate on September 18 strongly backed a $700 billion defense policy bill that calls on the Pentagon to fight Russian propaganda and start building a new cruise missile in a move critics say will lead to the demise of a major Cold War treaty.
Putin Observes Zapad Military Exercises Near NATO's Eastern Flank
Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 18 attended a joint military exercise with Belarus near NATO’s eastern flank that has fanned already deep tensions between Moscow and the West.
Putin's Orchestra in Belgrade
A famous Belgrade radio station has ended its broadcasts and is now being replaced by Sputnik, the Russian state-sponsored media outlet, a sign of Moscow's use of soft power to try to win local hearts and minds.
Navalny Election Volunteer Sentenced In Chuvashia
A volunteer for Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny's embattled presidential campaign has been convicted under extremism legislation and sentenced to 27 months in a penitentiary.
Saakashvili Arrives In Kyiv To Pursue Citizenship Case
Former Georgian President and Odesa Governor Mikheil Saakashvili arrived in Kyiv on September 19 to receive documents relating to a ruling stripping him of his Ukrainian citizenship. Saakashvili told a crowd he has no personal conflict with President Petro Poroshenko, whom he characterized as being part of "the ruling oligarchic system that is killing the country." (Ukrainian Service)
Russian Court Rejects Wallenberg Suit
A Moscow court threw out a lawsuit against Russia’s main security agency filed by relatives of Raoul Wallenberg, seeking documents related to the Swedish diplomat's final years before his death in a Soviet prison.
AK-47 Inventor Mikhail Kalashnikov To Get Statue In Moscow
After several false starts and some grumbling from locals, a prominent statue of a gun-toting Mikhail Kalashnikov, designer of one of the world's most ubiquitous weapons, is set to be unveiled in the Russian capital on September 19.
Russia Looks To Make Automotive Inroads With Driverless Vehicles
After years of wallowing in the slow lane when it comes to new technology, Russian automakers and tech giants are finally making inroads in developing self-driving vehicles.
Kyrgyzstan Scraps Czech Hydropower Project
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Sapar Isakov says his government has canceled an agreement with a Czech company to construct parts of Upper Naryn Cascade hydropower project and several other hydropower plants.
Former Tajik Anticorruption Officer Convicted For Fraud
A former top officer with Tajikistan's Anticorruption Agency has been convicted on corruption charges and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
ANALYSIS: Has Azerbaijan Turned A Corner?
MOST READ/UKRAINE: Russia Sought To Involve Donbas Separatists In Zapad 2017
A spokesperson for Ukraine’s defense ministry has produced extensive documentation suggesting that Russia planned to engage forces from Ukraine’s separatist Donbas region to participate in the Zapad 2017 military exercises taking place in Belarus. He said the units were prevented from serving because of a lack of fuel and machinery malfunctions. (Ukrainian Service)
PRESSROOM: Russian Prosecutor Seeks Suspended Sentence For Crimean Journalist Semena