Current Time
A 24/7 Russian-language TV and digital network providing an alternative to Kremlin-controlled news and information.
Website page views
(February–November 2022)
Facebook video views
(February–November 2022)
YouTube video views
(February–November 2022)
Instagram video views
(February–November 2022)
About the Service
Current Time is an editorially independent 24/7 Russian-language news platform that reaches audiences in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Baltics.
With a growing audience, Current Time is a vital source of news that is countering Russian disinformation in the region.
Current Time videos routinely trend #1 on YouTube in Russia. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine, video views have increased 223% across social media platforms.
Despite significant state censorship, Current Time reports on Russian public opinion and protests inside Russia and gathers news from across the country.
Current Time journalists are covering Russia’s war in Ukraine, reporting about poor conditions for Russian conscripts, Russians fleeing mobilization, and new patriotic classes in Russian schools.
Awards
Philip Meyer Journalism Award
Joint investigation with RFE/RL’s Hungarian Service received an honorable mention from the Investigative Reporters and Editors organization.
2022 Media Awards
Received a commendation from the Association for International Broadcasting at the 2022 Media Awards for war coverage.
Latest Updates
American RFE/RL Reporter Alsu Kurmasheva Tried & Convicted in Russian Court
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) called the ruling by a Russian court “a mockery of justice.”
Russia Extends American RFE/RL Journalist’s Detention for Sixth Time
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is outraged at today’s ruling in Russia to extend RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva’s pretrial detention for the sixth time.
Russia Extends Detention of Alsu Kurmasheva; Her Imprisonment “As Outrageous Today as It Was Six Months Ago”
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) condemns the latest extension of American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva’s pretrial detention.
Service Director
Pavel Butorin
Pavel Butorin is the Service Director of Current Time, the 24/7 Russian language digital and TV network, led by RFE/RL in cooperation with the Voice of America. Butorin has been with RFE/RL since 2001, first as a producer for Central News, then as a video producer for the multimedia department, and finally as managing editor for Current Time TV. He has been a leading member of the Current Time team since its inception as a 30-minute television news program in 2014 and was instrumental in its transformation into a successful 24/7 digital and television network. He is a graduate of Ohio University in the United States and has a master’s degree in mass communications.
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