VISUAL REPORTS
U.S. Diplomat Criticizes ‘19th Century View’ Of Western Balkan Region
In an interview with RFE/RL on October 31, Acting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker criticized "certain leaders" in the European Union for holding what he called a "19th century view" of the Western Balkans, after the EU failed to begin membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia.
Troop Withdrawal In Ukraine: What Is Happening On The Demarcation Line
Troop withdrawal in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region is continuing on both sides amid protests in Kyiv and near the village of Zolote, at the demarcation line. Some unofficial Ukrainian fighters are determined to remain in the area, claiming that sooner or later Russia will once again send in troops. After full disarmament is completed, only Ukrainian police are expected to remain in the village. (Current Time TV/Crimea Realities)
Armenians React To U.S. Genocide Resolution
Armenian politicians and the public have reacted to a resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives that describes the killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 20th century as genocide.
The Dull World Of Ramzan Kadyrov's Internet Trolls
Social media posts relating to Chechnya overwhelmingly support the government, and leave no issue relating to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and his officials untouched. Trolls show no concern that their posts use the same photos and wording, and even use “individual” comments to say only “you’re right” or “I agree. (in Russian, Caucasus Realities)
PHOTOGALLERY: Mini Moscow Model Gets A Little Bigger
A model of Russia’s capital city is set to reopen with 1,000 new miniature buildings being added to it.
OTHER NEWS
Russian Nuclear Submarine Fires First Test Launch Of Intercontinental Missile
Russia's Defense Ministry says it has test-launched a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile from its most advanced nuclear-powered submarine, submerged in the White Sea near Arkhangelsk, striking a target thousands of kilometers away.
Denmark Allows Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Through Its Territorial Waters
Denmark has granted Russia’s state-controlled energy company, Gazprom, permission to build a controversial gas export pipeline through Danish waters. The October 30 approval removes the last major regulatory hurdle for Gazprom to complete its 1,230 kilometer Nord Stream 2 pipeline along the Baltic Sea floor from Russia to Germany.
Facebook Says Russian Disinformation Campaigns Targeted Africa
Facebook says it has taken down three networks of nearly 200 accounts that attempted to interfere in the domestic affairs of eight African countries, and which were linked to "entities associated” with Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Kremlin-connected businessman accused of meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
NATO Chief Demands Russia End Supporting Separatists In Ukraine
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on October 31 after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has demanded that “Russia must end supporting separatists in east Ukraine," and called on it to withdraw all Russian forces from Ukrainian territory.
Russia Sends 89th ‘Humanitarian’ Convoy To Donbas
Russia has reported that its 89th “humanitarian” convoy has entered separatist-controlled territory in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, delivering more than 550 tons of “baby food kits.” Russia has sent “humanitarian” convoys over the border since August 2014. Ukrainian customs and border services have been unable to inspect the trucks. (Ukrainian Service)
Most State Funds To Support Russian Film Industry Sent Offshore
An analysis by Russia’s state auditing chamber has found that up to 60% of state subsidies for Russian films were sent either to companies registered in Cyprus or provided to Russian organizations with up to nine employees. The chamber explained the high level of offshore transfers saying that Russia’s filmmaking industry is opaque. (Russian Service)
Ukraine Parliament Lifts Immunity Of Lawmaker Who Oversaw Railroads
The Ukrainian parliament has lifted the immunity of Deputy Yaroslav Dubnevych, who previously headed the legislature’s transport committee and oversaw the country’s railroads. He is accused of embezzlement and abuse of official position in activities that brought $3.7 million in damages to the state. (in Russian Current Time TV)
Bulgaria Declines Visa For Incoming Russian Defense Attache
Bulgaria has denied a long-term visa to an incoming Russian defense attache, a day after expelling a Russian diplomat on suspicion of espionage.
Two Managers At Tajikistan State Bank Charged Over Smuggling
Two mid-level managers at Amonatbank, Tajikistan's largest state-owned bank, have been arrested and charged with taking part in illegal cross-border financial transactions. The men reportedly sought to smuggle $50,000 plus a "large amount" of Tajik somonis into neighboring Kyrgyzstan in an attempt to trade it on the foreign exchange market there.
PRESSROOM: Washington Post Says Tajikistan’s Crackdown On The Free Press Must End