INFOGRAPHIC
Where Are U.S. And Russian Military Bases In The World?
VISUAL REPORTS
Bribery Trial Of Russian Ex-Minister Ulyukayev Nears End
Former Russian Economy Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev appeared in court in Moscow on December 4 for the closing arguments in his trial on charges that he extorted and accepted $2 million in cash from Rosneft state oil company chief Igor Sechin.
The Russian City Being Swallowed By Giant Sinkholes
The city of Berezniki was built slap on top of a potash mine, and is slowly being engulfed by it.
Ukrainian TV Station Hit By Blockade
Men dressed in camouflage blockaded Ukraine's NewsOne TV station in Kyiv with sandbags and barbed wires on December 3. They were angry that the broadcaster covered an opposition rally organized by Mikheil Saakashvili's political party.
Afghan Civilians Flee As Taliban Clash With IS Militants
Thousands of civilians have fled from their homes in Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province after fighting erupted between the Taliban and Islamic State militants. (RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan)
OTHER NEWS
7.40am -- Good Morning!
[Excerpt from Current Time TV’s daily, first-read for Russian-speaking audiences.]
A march demanding the impeachment of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko took place in Kyiv on December 3. Mikheil Saakashvili’s Movement of New Forces brought several thousand demonstrators into the streets, chanting “Gang – out! ” “Kyiv – get up!” and “Impeachment!”
U.K. Cybersecurity Agency Warns Against Using Kaspersky Software
The head of Britain’s National Cyber Security Center stated in a letter to U.K. government agencies dated December 1, that "Russia is acting against the U.K.'s national interest in cyberspace."
Russian Prosecutors Seek 10-Year Sentence For Ulyukayev
Prosecutors in a high-profile bribery extortion trial are seeking a 10-year prison term for former Russian Economy Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev, while his lawyers say their client must be acquitted.
Russian Defense Ministry Proposes $16.9 Billion Sole-Source Contracts
Russian media reports that Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has received approval from Russian President Vladimir Putin to award sole-source contracts totaling almost $17 billion to 12 contractors to repair and build “special purpose” facilities between 2018-2028. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Putin Orders Review Of Laws On Peaceful Demonstrations
Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked the Prosecutor-General's Office to review the implementation of laws and regulations relating to the right of Russian citizens to assemble and demonstrate freely.
Crimean Energy Sector Slated For Major Change
Russia’s energy ministry has created the joint-stock company Krymenergo to assume ownership of Crimea’s power grids. The Russian holding company Rosseti will own a controlling stake in the company, which was previously owned by Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov, and “nationalized” by Russia-backed Crimean authorities in 2015. (Ukrainian Service)
In Russia, Social Stigma, Bad Policies Fuel ‘Silent HIV Epidemic’
HIV activists and experts in Russia say the data for HIV prevalence in Russia among men who have sex with men is deceptively low, obscuring a silent HIV epidemic among this demographic that is fueled in part by social stigma and wrongheaded government policies.
Frenchman Tells Of Escape From Siberia After 'Falsified' Child Pornography Conviction
Russia has labeled him a pedophile and child pornographer who posted naked photographs of his 5-year-old daughter on the Internet, then fled Russia to escape a 15-year prison sentence.
Ukraine On Cusp Of Measles Epidemic
Ukraine is seeing a spike in cases of measles, with more than 2,300 cases registered this year, compared to 102 cases in 2016. (Ukrainian Service)
Belarusian Centenarian Recounts Repression Under Stalin
Yauheniya Arlouskaya spent more than 16 years of her life in a Stalin-era penal colony. To this day, she still doesn't know exactly why she was targeted by the Soviet authorities.
THE POWER VERTICAL PODCAST: Fortress Russia
What's behind the increasingly bellicose rhetoric coming out of Russia in recent weeks? Mark Galeotti joins Brian Whitmore this week.
MAJLIS PODCAST: Jeenbekov Takes The Reins In Kyrgyzstan
COMMENTARY: Turkmenistan's Bogus Budget