VISUAL REPORTS
Kyiv Protesters Demand ‘No Capitulation’
Demonstrators in downtown Kyiv on October 14 protested granting special status to regions of Donbas controlled by Russia-backed separatists, amnestying fighters of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics, and removing Ukrainian troops from the demarcation line. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has proposed such measures as part of a formula to promote peace in the region. (Ukrainian Service)
Russian Dolls: Post-Soviet Pensioners In Miniature
Elderly people waiting at bus stops, walking their dogs, or watching TV -- these are some of the lifelike miniature scenes created by Russian artist Irina Verkhgradskaya that viewers say remind them of their own older relatives whose lives were shaped by the Soviet era.
Serbian Protesters Paint Public TV
Anti-government protesters, gathering for the 45th Saturday in a row on October 12, headed to the headquarters of Serbia’s public radio and television broadcaster and painted its entrance pink, an allusion to the country’s privately owned Pink television station. Protesters accuse both stations of pro-government bias.
The Secrets And Dangers Of Georgia's Tusheti Road
In Georgia's mountainous Tusheti region, a spectacular and dangerous road holds some surprises, if you know where to look.
OTHER NEWS
Kremlin’s Surkov Calls Putin’s Rule A 'Political Life Hack'
The governing system formed under the leadership of Russian President Vladimir Putin is a model to be emulated and is "well-functioning," presidential aide Vladimir Surkov has told the news site Aktaulniye kommentary on October 14.
Russian Investigation Highlights Novichok Suspect's Security Ties
A joint investigation by RFE/RL and the open-source research group Bellingcat has unearthed information about the wedding of a secretive commander of a Russian military unit, and a wedding guest -- Anatoly Chepiga, a suspect in the Novichok poisoning of Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in 2018. The findings add to a substantial body of evidence linking Chepiga to Russian military intelligence, or the GRU
Russian Police Conduct Multi-City Raid On Navalny Offices
Russian law enforcement officers have raided the offices of Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation in numerous cities across Russia, including Ufa, Saratov, Samara, Yekaterinburg, Yaroslavl, Chelyabinsk, and Novokuznetsk.
France Honors Russian Director Serebrennikov
France has honored Russian film and theater director Kirill Serebrennikov by naming him a commander of the order of arts and letters in recognition of his contributions to the arts. Serebrennikov has been accused of embezzlement by Russian authorities.
Russia Readies Major Strategic-Missile-Forces Drills
Russia says it will test its Strategic Missile Forces this week during Thunder-2019 exercises, a three-day exercise set to involve 12,000 military personnel and ballistic and cruise missiles fired from the land, sea, and air.
U.S. Concludes White Sea Radiation Explosion Came During Russian Nuclear-Missile Recovery
A State Department official says the United States has concluded that a mysterious explosion that occurred at a Russian naval test range in the White Sea in August took place during an operation to recover a nuclear-powered missile that had apparently crashed during a test.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Outlines Donbas Peace Plan
Addressing European lawmakers in Brussels, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystayko has said Kyiv seeks to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine, but not at any cost. "Ukraine is now and will stay a unitary state. We are not talking about a forceful federalization of Ukraine," and “we are not changing our constitution the way Russia wants it,” Prystayko said on October 14.
Russian State Duma Deputy Seeks Georgian Apology In Exchange For Improved Relations
State Duma head Vyacheslav Volodin has proposed resuming flights and relations with Georgia on condition that Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili apologize to Russia and accept responsibility for the debacle that took place during the June Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Orthodoxy in Tbilisi. At the event, State Duma deputy Sergei Gavrilov sat in the chair of the speaker of the Georgian parliament, setting off mass protests and inflaming relations. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Bulgarian PM Urges Resignation of Soccer Chief After Racist Chants
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has called for the president of the country's soccer union to resign following racist abuse from Bulgarian fans toward black England players during their Euro 2020 qualifier. The October 14 game was halted twice as local fans hurled insults and directed monkey chants at the visiting players.
Turkish Assault On Syria Puts Tajik 'Islamic State' Women In Peril
Turkey’s military incursion into northern Syria has sparked "fear and panic" in displacement camps that house thousands of women and children with suspected links to the Islamic State militant group. Gulnora Orifova, who resides in the Al-Roj camp along with her three young children, told RFE/RL that camp residents can hear air strikes and shelling that "make the tents shake."
Tajiks Abroad Tricked Into Returning Home, Where They Are Then Imprisoned
The recent arrests of several Tajiks who returned to Tajikistan from abroad under an amnesty for those suspected of being involved in religious extremism has cast suspicion on Dushanbe's intentions and the sincerity of its offer.
Tajikistan Labels EU-Based Opposition Alliance As Terrorist Group
Tajikistan's Supreme Court has labeled the National Alliance of Tajikistan, a group uniting several opposition movements and parties based in the European Union, as a terrorist and extremist organization.
PRESSROOM: RFE/RL Wins Edward R. Murrow Award