Ukraine’s Ultranationalist Azov Group Sets Its Sights on U.S., Europe
The far-right Ukrainian ultranationalist Azov group, formed in May 2014 in response to the Russia-backed separatist advance in eastern Ukraine, is moving to legitimize itself among its counterparts in the West and expand its movement abroad. An FBI complaint says Azov's military wing is "believed to have participated in training and radicalizing United States-based white supremacy organizations."
VISUAL REPORTS
Obedience School: Russian Teacher Reminds Naughty Students Of Stalin's Approach To Dissent
Following a student writing “Putin is a thief” on a blackboard, students got an earful about the bad old days from their history teacher, who reminded them that disobedience "would have been punished in the Soviet era with execution by firing squad."
Ironic Icons: Serbian Artist Remakes Orthodox Imagery
Serbian artist Aleksandar Todorovic paints in the style of the Orthodox Church -- but his icons aren't saints, rather they are targets of political satire.
From Kindergarten Class To Rap Star
A Ukrainian woman who spent years running a kindergarten has turned her passion for rapping into a new career.
OTHER NEWS
U.S. Energy Secretary Warns Czechs About Russia, Finds Texas In Ukraine
U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, speaking in Prague during a swing through Eastern Europe, warned the Czech government not to choose Russia as a partner for a lucrative nuclear-energy plan, declaring that Russia has been using energy "as a political weapon." Earlier in the week, he met with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to discuss prospects for developing oil and gas reserves in Ukraine -- a country that Perry said could become "the Texas of Europe."
Newly Elected Separatist Leader In Donetsk Vows Closer Integration With Russia
In his first media appearance since elections last weekend that were denounced as a sham by Kyiv and the West, Denis Pushilin, the newly elected leader of eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, declared, "A course toward the Russian Federation will be continued." He added, "We have already learned to live without Ukraine."
EU Official Says Countries Emulating Russian Electoral Interference
Speaking to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on November 14, Vera Jourova, the European Union’s commissioner for justice and consumer policy, named Russia as the main source behind activities interfering with elections in Europe, but noted that others are learning from Moscow.
European Court Rules Navalny's Arrests 'Politically Motivated'
The European Court of Human Rights rejected an appeal by Russia in a November 15 ruling finding that Russia violated opposition politician Aleksei Navalny’s rights in numerous arrests and jailings, and called them “unlawful and arbitrary” and “politically motivated.”
Russian Duma Decriminalizes Reposting On Social Media
The Russian Duma has adopted a bill introduced by Russian President Vladimir Putin to abolish criminal liability for reposts on social networks of material that are deemed to incite hatred or enmity. The original publication of such material will carry an administrative fine, and only persons who have already been penalized for such activity will be subject to prosecution. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
European Parliament Condemns State Capture And Backsliding’ In Moldova
In a resolution passed on November 14, the European Parliament expressed “grave concern about backsliding in relation to democratic standards” in Moldova, and noted that core values are “being undermined by the ruling political leaders colluding with business interests.”
Belarus Opposition Party Spokeswoman Ordered To Leave Country
Anna Krasulina, spokeswoman for the opposition United Civil Party in Belarus, has told reporters that Belarusian migration officials have ordered her to leave the country for one year by November 30, citing the imperatives of "public order.”
Eleven Political Parties Register For Armenia’s Parliamentary Elections
Eleven political parties and alliances have submitted documents to vie for seats in the Armenian parliament in snap elections scheduled for December 9. The process of registering the parties will run through November 19.
Hungary Confirms Ex-Macedonia Leader Seeking Asylum
The Hungarian government has confirmed that it has received a request for political asylum from former Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who served as prime minister from 2006 to 2016.
First Soyuz Crew After Recent Crash Announced
Russia has approved the flight crew for a December 3 launch to the International Space Station. Members will include Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques, and American astronaut Ann McClain. (Russian Service)
Sleepless In Siberia: Air France Passengers Endure Three Unexpected Days In Irkutsk
Passengers aboard a regularly scheduled Air France flight from Paris to Beijing were forced to make an unexpected stop in Irkutsk on November 11 after smoke was detected in their Boeing 777-300ER. Lacking Russian visas, the 282 passengers on Flight AF116 were forced to remain on the tarmac in subzero temperatures for hours before authorities finally took them to nearby hotels for the night.
INFOGRAPHIC: In And Out: All The Times Aleksei Navalny Has Been In Jail