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Articles by AFP
confiscated asset
France to Sell Late Putin Opponent's Riviera Chateau
Boris Berezovsky's multi-million-euro chateau was confiscated by French authorities in 2015, two years after he was found dead in exile.
2 Min read
intensifying strikes
Ukraine Says Downed All Missiles, Drones in New Attacks on Kyiv
"The occupiers don't stop trying to terrorize the capital of Ukraine with attack drones and missiles," the air force said.
1 Min read
new infraction
Russia Fines WhatsApp for Failing to Delete Content
The 3-million-ruble ($37,000) fine was the first imposed on WhatsApp for such an offense.
1 Min read
game over
Nintendo Ends Online Sales of Games in Russia
The decision was made following Nintendo's shipment suspension and "as a result of the economic outlook."
1 Min read
'i felt respected'
Woman Who Accused Biden of Assault Asks for Russian Citizenship
Tara Reade said she wanted to stay in Russia after a Republican lawmaker told her she was in physical danger.
2 Min read
LGBT rights
Russian Lawmakers Introduce Bill Banning Sex Reassignment
The bill, supported by around 400 deputies, would prohibit “medical interventions aimed at changing the sex of a person."
1 Min read
serbian ally
Kremlin Says Kosovo Serbs' Rights 'Must Be Respected'
Clashes this week over local election results left more than 80 people injured.
1 Min read
'worsening situation'
Russia Evacuates Children from Border Villages as Situation 'Alarming'
The governor of the Belgorod region, which has faced near-daily attacks, described a "worsening" situation in areas near the border.
3 Min read
passportization drive
Moscow Says 1.5Mln Russian Passports Issued in Occupied Ukraine
Residents of the occupied regions have described being pressured into taking up a Russian passport.
1 Min read
culture on trial
Russian Court Rejects Appeal of Jailed Theatre Director
Yevgeniya Berkovich, who has written emotional poems against the war in Ukraine, faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of "justifying terrorism...
2 Min read
violence flare-up
Russia Tells West to Stop 'Propaganda' Over Kosovo Clashes
Russia, Serbia's traditional ally, called on the West to "stop blaming the incidents in Kosovo on desperate Serbs."
2 Min read
NUCLEAR TRANSFER
Lukashenko Says Russia Has Begun Moving Nuclear Weapons to Belarus
"The transfer of nuclear munitions has begun," Lukashenko told reporters during a visit to Moscow.
1 Min read
'dragging their heels'
Russia Summons Germany, Sweden, Denmark Envoys Over Nord Stream
Moscow protested a lack of progress on the countries' probes into the sabotaged gas pipelines.
1 Min read
rare discord
Tajikistan Summons Russia's Envoy Over Student Beatings
The Tajik foreign ministry said more than 100 students "were subjected to interrogation and harsh treatment" by officers at a university dorm.
2 Min read
alleged interception
Russia Arrests Ukrainians Planning Nuke Power Plant Strikes – FSB
The aim was to cause "serious economic harm to Russia and damage its reputation," the FSB said.
1 Min read
'shot down or blocked'
6 Drones Downed in Crimea, No Victims – Governor
The annexed peninsula has reported a growing number of drone and shelling incidents in recent months.
1 Min read
wartime exodus
Record Number of Russians Moved to Finland in 2022
A total of 6,003 people moved from Russia to Finland last year, by far the highest number in three decades.
1 Min read
likely trial in absentia
Russia to Try 5 Foreigners for Fighting Alongside Ukraine
The men face several charges including undergoing training to carry out "terrorist activities."
1 Min read
nighttime strikes
Drone Attacks Overnight in Russian Border Region – Governor
The barrage came after Moscow said it had deployed jets and artillery to destroy the armed group that penetrated its border from Ukraine.
2 Min read
backlash rebuffed
Georgia Leader Says Russia Sanctions Would 'Devastate' Economy
Facing international criticism, Prime Minister Garbashvili strongly defended his country's reluctance to take action against its giant neighbor.
2 Min read
tax increase
Russian Energy Giant Gazprom Posts Big Drop in Profit
The company reported a profit of 1.2 trillion rubles ($15 billion) for 2022, down 41% from the previous year.
2 Min read
show of force
Russia Condemns 'Illogical' U.S. Aircraft Carrier Visit to Norway
The 337-meter (1,106-foot) USS General Ford is scheduled to dock in the Norwegian capital this week.
1 Min read
sabotage claims
Russia Says Air Force, Artillery Wipe Out Border Attackers
The announcement represents an unprecedented use of force domestically since the military campaign in Ukraine began last year.
3 Min read
mounting frustrations
Armenia Might Quit Russia-Led Military Bloc – PM
Yerevan has grown increasingly frustrated over what it calls Russia's failure to protect Armenia in the face of military threats from Azerbaijan.
2 Min read
multiple injured
Russia Targets Ukraine's Dnipro With Drones, Missiles
Officials said the scale of the attack was unprecedented.
1 Min read
aggressive campaign
Russia Recruited Over 100K Troops in 2023 – Medvedev
Unwilling to announce a second mobilization drive, Moscow has instead opted for a massive PR campaign, hoping to lure Russians with financial incentives...
1 Min read
exiting the market
Volkswagen to Sell Russian Assets to Local Company
Like other major car companies, Volkswagen halted its operations in Russia last year after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
2 Min read
frozen funds
Russia Defends Finnish Embassy Bank Account Freeze
"We cannot and will not leave unfriendly actions unanswered," the Kremlin said.
1 Min read
soldier for hire
Kyrgyz Mercenary Who Fought With Russia in Ukraine Jailed
The court said the man had been paid 180,000 rubles ($2,250) per month plus an assurance of a Russian passport in exchange for fighting.
2 Min read
gdp shrinks
Russia Says Economy Contracts 1.9% in First Quarter
The economy was weighed down by another wave of sanctions imposed over its offensive in Ukraine.
2 Min read
freight network
Iran, Russia Ink Deal to Complete Major Transport Network
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the "obvious economic benefits" for both Moscow and Tehran in finalizing the INSTC.
3 Min read
no official explanation
Russia Freezes Finnish Embassy Bank Accounts – Finnish FM
"Russia has not yet given an official explanation why the accounts have been frozen," Finland's foreign minister said.
2 Min read
conservative tilt
Russia Halts Release of Iranian Film on Prostitution – Distributor
Authorities said "Holy Spider," an award-winning film about a serial killer who targets sex workers in Iran, contained materials prohibited by Russian...
1 Min read
revenue source
Russian Oil Exports Hit Post-Invasion High – IEA
Revenues in April were still 27% lower than the same month in 2022 despite the boosted volumes.
2 Min read
serious condition
Blast Injures Police Chief, Teen in Russia-Controlled Luhansk
"Medics are fighting for the lives of the wounded," the Luhansk region's Russian-installed leader said.
1 Min read
'categorically disagree'
Kremlin Slams Macron Comments Over Russia's 'Subservience' to China
In an interview, Macron said that Russia, isolated by its offensive in Ukraine, had "entered a form of subservience with regards to China."
1 Min read
unexplained absence
Exiled Critic Urges Belarus to Be 'Prepared' Amid Leader Health Rumors
Longtime Belarusian leader Lukashenko, 68, has not been seen in public for six days, skipping important events.
1 Min read
war losses
Russia Says Two Military Commanders Killed in East Ukraine
The commanders were killed while repelling Ukrainian attacks around Bakhmut, according to the Defense Ministry.
2 Min read
last call
Drinks Group Pernod Ricard Announces Russia Pullout
The French drinks giant had faced public pressure over its continued business activities in Russia.
1 Min read
storm shadow
Russia Says U.K. Long-Range Missiles for Kyiv 'Extremely Hostile' Act
The Foreign Ministry said Moscow would "take all necessary measures to neutralize the threats" posed by the new missiles.
1 Min read
'the front is collapsing'
Wagner Chief Says Russian Army 'Fleeing' Near Bakhmut
The comments came just after the Defense Ministry announced it had redeployed forces to take up stronger defensive positions north of Bakhmut.
2 Min read
election intrigue
Kremlin 'Strongly' Denies Accusations of Meddling in Turkish Vote
Opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu claimed that Russia was behind an online smear campaign against him ahead of the crucial election.
1 Min read
first step
U.S. Sets $5.4Mln Seized from Russian Oligarch for Ukraine Reconstruction
The move marks the United States' first transfer of seized Russian assets to a fund for rebuilding Ukraine.
1 Min read
no advance
Ukraine Says Russian Forces Pulling Back After Bakhmut Attacks
Russian troops have fallen back in some regions of the front in the Donetsk region by up to two kilometers, a Ukrainian military official said.
1 Min read
mediating role
Russia Says Roadmap in the Works to Mend Syria-Turkey Ties
Russian mediation would give the Kremlin diplomatic clout amid its international isolation over the offensive in Ukraine.
2 Min read
return to Krolewiec
Poland Changes Kaliningrad's Official Name in Move Against 'Russification'
The Kremlin called the move a "hostile action."
2 Min read
Remanded vessels
Russia Seizes Tugboats from Danish Shipper Maersk Unit
The four vessels were operating on a long-term contract for the Sakhalin-2 oil and gas project in Russia's Far East.
1 Min read
immobilized assets
Over $8Bln of Russian Central Bank Assets Held in Switzerland – Bern
Switzerland banned transactions related to the management of Russia's Central Bank assets and reserves after Moscow invaded Ukraine.
2 Min read
travel restored
Russia Lifts Visa Regime, Flight Ban With Georgia
Moscow banned direct flights with Georgia in summer 2019 over protests against a Russian lawmaker's visit to Tbilisi.
1 Min read
Negotiations deadlock
UN Chief Says Ukraine Peace Talks 'Not Possible' Right Now
Guterres said he hoped it was possible "in the future" to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table.
1 Min read
War protest
Activists Block Russian Ambassador at Soviet Memorial in Warsaw
Andreyev was met with protests at the same site last year when activists threw red paint at him.
2 Min read
deepening ties
Russia to 'Develop' Its Military Facilities in Kyrgyzstan
The Kremlin said the two countries also expect to "deepen military and technical cooperation" as well as their economic and cultural relations.
1 Min read
increase in shelling
Russia Orders Partial Evacuation Near Ukraine Front Line
The Russia-installed head of the Zaporizhzhia region reported an increase in shelling from the Ukrainian side.
1 Min read
excuse for escalation
Lavrov Says Drone Attack on Kremlin Impossible Without U.S. Knowledge
"We will respond with concrete actions," the Russian foreign minister warned.
1 Min read
graft crackdown
Ukraine Arrests Odesa Mayor in Corruption Case
The case, which dates from before the Russian invasion, has become one of the main corruption investigations in Ukraine.
1 Min read
aerial strikes
Russia, Ukraine Report Drone Attacks as Zelensky Visits ICC
"Our city has not experienced such intensity of strikes since the beginning of this year," the head of Kyiv's city military administration said.
3 Min read
sphere of influence
Russia Says 'No Alternative' to Its Karabakh Mediation After U.S. Initiative
With Russia bogged down in Ukraine, the U.S. and EU have sought to steer a thaw in ties between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
1 Min read
Legendary couturier
‘Soviet Dior’ Slava Zaitsev Dead at 85
Zaitsev achieved global success with bright dresses adorned with the flower patterns found on traditional Russian shawls.
2 Min read
'patriotic' procession
Pro-Putin Bikers Launch Rally Bound for Berlin
The Night Wolves motorcycle club plans to reach Berlin by May 9, when Russia marks the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
2 Min read
strategic target
Crimea Fuel Depot on Fire, Russian-Held Towns Shelled in Ukraine
Officials in Moscow-held Crimea, towns under Russian occupation in southern Ukraine and a Russian border region reported attacks.
3 Min read
cross-border incident
5 Russian Villages Without Power After Ukraine Shelling
Russia's Belgorod region has reported repeated shelling attacks since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
1 Min read
no jail time
Suspended Sentence for Alleged Wagner Deserter in Oslo
Andrei Medvedev, a potentially valuable witness on the Wagner Group's reported brutality in Ukraine, was tried over a street fight in central Oslo.
2 Min read
lachin corridor
Armenia Urges Moscow Peacekeepers to Keep Vital Road Under Control
Baku last week set up a checkpoint on the only land link between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh in violation of Moscow-brokered agreements.
2 Min read
'yesterday betrayal, tomorrow massacre'
Blast Kills Police Officer in Russia-Controlled Melitopol
Melitopol's Ukrainian mayor said the dead policeman had "not only defected to the side of the enemy, but also tricked his employees into becoming traitors...
2 Min read
'long and meaningful'
China's Xi Holds Call With Ukraine's Zelensky
The call is the first between the two leaders since the start of Russia's invasion.
3 Min read
sitting out
Russia Opts Out of Central Asian Football Championship
The Russian football team has been shorn of international competition due to the invasion of Ukraine.
1 Min read
persona non grata
Russia Says Expels 10 Norwegian Diplomats in 'Retaliatory Measure'
Norway had expelled 15 Russian embassy employees in Oslo, accusing them of working undercover as intelligence officers.
1 Min read
widening clampdown
Former Opposition Mayor Roizman On Trial for 'Discrediting' Russian Army
Roizman is one of just a few leading opposition figures who remain in Russia and have not been jailed.
2 Min read
lashing out
Former Russian President Mocks 'Desperate Grandpa' Biden
The comments came in response to the 80-year-old U.S. president announcing his candidacy for re-election in 2024.
1 Min read
mediating role
Russia Hosts Talks with Iran, Syria, Turkey
The talks aimed to normalize ties between Ankara and Damascus, which were severed at the start of Syria's civil war in 2011.
2 Min read
reasons unclear
Sweden Says Expelling 5 Russian Diplomats
The Swedish Security Service previously said it believes every third Russian diplomat in the country works for Russian intelligence under diplomatic cover...
1 Min read
fleeing mercenary
Alleged Wagner Deserter on Trial After Oslo Street Brawl
Andrei Medvedev has been a headache for the authorities since his arrival in Norway to seek asylum.
2 Min read
lachin corridor
Moscow Says 'Serious Concern' Over New Armenia-Azerbaijan Tensions
The comments came a day after Azerbaijan set up a checkpoint on the only land link to the contested region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
3 Min read
'not the first'
'Ukrainian' Drone Found Outside Moscow
Moscow has accused Ukraine of being behind a number of drone attacks on military infrastructure deep inside its territory.
1 Min read
orders to kill
Wagner Boss Says Forces Won't Take Any More Prisoners in Ukraine
"We will kill everyone on the battlefield," Yevgeny Prigozhin said.
1 Min read
mass expulsion
Moscow Expels ‘More Than 20’ German Diplomats
Moscow accused Berlin of "continuing to demonstratively destroy the entire range of Russia-Germany relations."
1 Min read
military drills
Russia Says Completes Snap Pacific Drills
Last week Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the country's Pacific Fleet had launched surprise combat drills as tensions rage with the West over Ukraine...
1 Min read
Military defense
Zelensky Presses NATO on Membership, Long-Range Weapons
Ukraine's Western supporters fear long-range rockets could be used to hit targets within Russia.
2 Min read
Cosmic Cinema
Russia Releases First Film Shot in Space, Beating Hollywood Project
The director brought back more than 30 hours of footage shot on board the International Space Station.
2 Min read
safe skies
Ukraine Receives First Batch of Patriot Missile System
Kyiv has said the system will "significantly" strengthen its ability to protect itself against Russian strikes.
1 Min read
Booze Boycott
Absolut Vodka Halts Exports to Russia
The decision came after the Swedish company faced public backlash for resuming shipments to Russia.
1 Min read
Frayed Relations
Frustration With Russia Grows in Armenia
Many Armenians say they cannot forgive Russia for shirking its duty to protect their country from Azerbaijan.
2 Min read
Rain on Parade
Russia's Largest Trade Union Calls Off Labor Day Demonstrations
The Federation of Independent Trade Unions based its decision on heightened terrorist threats.
1 Min read
Battle for Bakhmut
Wagner Group Founder Says 'Too Early' to Claim Bakhmut Is Surrounded
Kyiv said it could still supply Ukrainian forces in the city with provisions, ammunition, and medicines.
2 Min read
personae non gratae
Norway Expels 15 Suspected Spies From Russian Embassy in Oslo
Despite the move, the Nordic country stressed it seeks normal diplomatic relations with Russia.
1 Min read
'under review'
Russia Says Detained U.S. Journalist Still Not Granted Consular Access
U.S. embassy officials have not been permitted access to Evan Gershkovich in the two weeks since his arrest.
1 Min read
skeptical view
Moscow Says U.S. Leaks May Be Intended to 'Deceive' Russia
The breach includes classified information about Ukraine's fight against Russian forces, as well as secret assessments of U.S. allies.
2 Min read
internal enemies
Russia Accuses Ukraine, West of Recruiting Youth for 'Sabotage'
Moscow has cracked down on criticism of the war, with a growing number of treason cases and long prison sentences for social media dissent.
2 Min read
high-profile trial
Kremlin Critic Facing 25 Years in Jail Says Regrets Nothing
Vladimir Kara-Murza is accused of several charges including treason, and spreading false information about the Russian army.
2 Min read
suggesting gains
Moscow-Backed Official Claims Visit to Frontline City Bakhmut
The battle for Bakhmut is the longest and bloodiest of Russia's offensive.
1 Min read
'your life is in peril'
Notorious Arms Dealer Urges Trump to Seek Refuge in Russia
Viktor Bout, also known as the "Merchant of Death," was swapped for U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner in a high-profile exchange.
1 Min read
unheeded call
'Pointless' to Pressure Russia Over Jailed U.S. Reporter – Moscow
U.S. President Biden has called for Evan Gershkovich's release, with the White House calling the charges against him "ridiculous."
1 Min read
heavy toll
Russia's Wagner Chief Says Cemetery for Fighters 'Growing'
The mercenary group's forces have been spearheading Russia's offensives in eastern Ukraine, taking heavy losses.
1 Min read
border tensions
Moscow Says Foiled Bid By Ukraine 'Saboteurs' to Enter Russia
The announcement came a day after President Vladimir Putin warned that saboteurs were acting inside Russia.
2 Min read
'complex situation'
Kremlin Sees No Prospect of Chinese Mediation on Ukraine
The comments came as French President Macron was in Beijing to try to dissuade China from supporting Moscow's campaign.
2 Min read
who's to blame
Putin Tells Envoy U.S. Responsible for 'Ukraine Crisis'
Lynne Tracy becomes ambassador during the worst crisis in years between the U.S. and Russia.
1 Min read
'internal' matter
Kremlin Says Will Not Comment on Trump Affair
The indicted former U.S. president has a long history of entanglements, alleged and proven, with Russia.
1 Min read
standing trial
Russian Cafe Bomb Suspect Charged With Terrorism
Darya Trepova is accused of acting on orders from "figures based in Ukraine" and committing a "terror attack by an organized group."
2 Min read
stop the music
Uzbekistan Cancels Festival With Pro-Invasion Russian Artists
Tashkent is close to Moscow but has not voiced support for the invasion of Ukraine, which has made Russia's allies in the former Soviet Union nervous...
2 Min read
Going Ballistic
Belarusian Troops Begin Training on Russian Nuclear-Capable Missile System
The announcement follows Putin's recent decision to deploy tactical weapons on its ally's territory.
1 Min read