PHOTOGALLERY: The Donbas Battalion, a volunteer unit of Ukraine's National Guard, was caught in a recent stand-off with Russian-backed separatists in the Shyrokyne region, near the strategic port city of Mariupol. A freelance photographer, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, spent three weeks embedded with the battalion, capturing scenes of trench warfare, raids, shelling, and sheer exhaustion.
VIDEO REPORTS
Russia Displays Military Hardware At Arms Expo-2015
The Russian military showed off its hardware at the Arms Expo-2015 exhibition, a four-day event in Nizhny Tagil, in the northern Sverdlovsk region. Helicopters, tanks, jets and parachutists put on a display for the crowds, which included representatives of more than 60 countries.
The Daily Vertical: Putin's New Hybrid War
Just what is Russian President Vladimir Putin up to in Syria? Is it a great power ploy? a bid to cut a deal with the West? a last ditch effort to prop up besieged Syrian President Bashar Al Assad? All of the above?
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Daughter of Kazakh President Appointed Deputy Prime Minister
Dariga Nazarbayeva, the older daughter of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister by a decree signed by the President today. Prior to this appointment, Nazarbayeva was Vice Speaker of the country's Majilis, the lower chamber of parliament. (In Russian)
Three Others On Belarus Ballot As Lukashenka Seeks New Term
Election officials in Belarus have registered four candidates for the country’s October 11 presidential election, which seems certain to extend President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's rule. Candidates registered by the September 10 deadline include Belarus’s first woman candidate, Tatsyana Karatkevich, Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party Sergei Haydukyevich, and leader of the Belarusian Patriotic Party Mikalay Ulakhovich.
Azerbaijan Rebuffs EU Parliament as ‘Toy’ of the West
"The European Parliament has lost touch with reality and has become a toy in the hands of various circles in the West," said Ali Hasanov, a top adviser to Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, in response to a resolution adopted by the European Parliament harshly criticizing the Azeri government for its crackdown targeting independent journalists, civic activists, and human rights defenders. (In Russian)
Fake U.S. 'Diplomat' Crashes Russian Opposition Event
During the past week, Russia's opposition has been targeted in a guerrilla campaign promoted in the state-run and Kremlin-loyal media that portrays them as puppets of the United States.
Russia Blocks Video of Navalny’s Speech In Court
Roskomnadzor, Russia’s media and communications watchdog, has banned a video of Alexei Navalny’s final testimony before the verdict in the "Yves Rocher" lawsuit charging him with embezzlement. In the statement, Navalny called the lawsuit an attempt to isolate him. Roskomnadzor also banned footage of recent demonstrations in Russia. (Current Time TV)
Putin Took Berlusconi To Annexed Crimea
Emails from Yevgeny Prigozhin, in charge of the Kremlin’s catering, indicate that former Italian President Sergio Berlusconi is a frequent guest of Russian President Vladimir Putin, including at Kremlin residences in Altai and Russia-annexed Crimea. (Current Time TV)
Nemtsov, Savchenko Nominated For Sakharov Prize
The 50,000 Euro prize, established by the European Parliament in 1988, is awarded every year to individuals or groups of people who have dedicated their lives to the defense of human rights and freedom of thought.
Mother of Turkmen Journalist Deplores Official Silence
RFE/RL Turkmen correspondent Saparmamed Nepeskuliev has been sentenced to three years in prison on narcotics charges, having been held incommunicado by authorities since early July, deprived of any recognizable trial, and on charges that rights groups believe are retribution for his reporting on poor local governance and official corruption.