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Articles by AFP
Export Ban
Four G7 Powers Impose Gold Export Ban on Russia
The measure “will directly hit Russian oligarchs and strike at the heart of Putin's war machine," said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Intensified fighting
Russia Strikes Hit Kyiv Residential Building – Mayor
Russia's strikes on Kyiv killed one person and wounded six, the Ukrainian capital's mayor said.
arms assistance
Moscow to Send Belarus Nuclear-Capable Missiles Within Months – Putin
He also offered to upgrade Belarus' warplanes to make them capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
donbas capture
Ukraine’s Sievierodonetsk ‘Fully Occupied’ by Russian Army – Mayor
Ukraine's withdrawal ends weeks of fighting over the key eastern city.
one-sided remembrance
Russia Removes Polish Flag from Soviet Massacre Memorial
The Katyn memorial was erected in memory of the 25,000 Poles, mostly army officers, massacred by the Soviet Union.
Over the border
Ukraine Says Russia Aiming To Drag Belarus Into War After Strikes
The "massive bombardment" struck infrastructure but had not caused any casualties.
'historic moment'
EU Leaders Agree Candidate Status for Ukraine, Moldova
The decision sets the two ex-Soviet nations at the start of a years-long path towards joining the bloc.
Energy Wars
‘Our Product, Our Rules,’ Says Russia’s Gazprom Chief
Russian energy giant Gazprom said Moscow will play by its own rules after cutting daily gas supplies to Germany.
no alienation
China Vows Support for Russia, Drawing U.S. Ire
Xi praised the "good momentum of development" in bilateral relations "in the face of global turmoil and changes."
On Trial
Russian Man on Trial in Germany Over Chechen Hitjob Plot
The suspect is accused of planning the murder of a Chechen dissident living in Germany.
loss of firepower
Russia Says Destroyed NATO Arms Depot in Western Ukraine
The strike comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky urges Western allies to speed up arms deliveries to his country.
revisiting history
Putin Compares His Actions to Peter the Great’s Conquests
"You get the impression that by fighting Sweden he was grabbing something...It is our responsibility also to take back and strengthen."
reasserted role
Russia to Assist Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Talks – Lavrov
Russia has lost its status as mediator in the territorial dispute between the two countries, with the EU now leading normalization efforts.
War Games
Russian Navy Starts Baltic Sea Drills Amid Ukraine Tensions
Russia's Baltic fleet will "perform training tasks for the defense of sea lanes and fleet bases."
permission denied
Fury in Moscow After Air Closures Block Lavrov Trip to Serbia
"The unthinkable has happened."
‘In Exile’
Putin Critic and Ex-PM Kasyanov Leaves Russia
Former Russian PM Kasyanov criticized what he called the Kremlin's "brutal war" against Ukraine.
Food Crisis
AU Head Tells Putin Africans Are ‘Victims’ of Ukraine Conflict
The African Union head urged Moscow to take into account food shortages caused by the conflict in Ukraine.
up in flames
2 Injured in Moscow Business Center Blaze
The blaze was put out after more than 120 people were evacuated.
all requests considered
Russia Offers To Settle Debt Disputes With Creditors
Moscow faces the risk of its first external debt default in more than a century.
cross-border detention
Croatia Arrests Pussy Riot Activist Sought by Turkmenistan
Pussy Riot says the warrant against Aysoltan Niyazova was politically motivated.
press under fire
Kremlin Says No News of French Reporter’s Death in Ukraine
Frederic Leclerc-Imhoff was killed during a Russian bombardment, according to French and Ukrainian officials.
unwelcome assistance
U.S. ‘Adding Fuel to the Fire’ With New Arms Supplies – Kremlin
Washington said it would be supplying Ukraine with advanced missile systems, including the Himars multiple-launch rocket system.
to be decided
Surrendered Azovstal Defenders May Face Death Penalty – Separatists
Kyiv has said it wants to exchange the soldiers in a prisoner swap, while Moscow has indicated that they will first stand trial.
religious rigt
Patriarch Kirill ‘Understands’ Ukraine Church Schism
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church on Friday declared "full independence" in a historic move against Russia's spiritual authorities.
mountain dispute
Kyrgyz Climbers Remove Ukraine Flag from 'Peak Putin'
Kyrgyz climbing federation head Eduard Kubatov said there was "no sort of politics" in the decision to take down the flag.
face to face
Putin Visits 'Hero' Soldiers Wounded in Ukraine
The Russian president's appearance at a military hospital is his first visit with troops wounded in Moscow's campaign in Ukraine.
closer to default
Russia to Make Foreign Debt Payments in Rubles – Ministry
The United States on Tuesday ended an exemption allowing Moscow to make the payments in dollars held in Russia.
jeopardized supplies
Moscow Says Sanctions Need To Be Lifted To Avoid Food Crisis
The UN has urged Russia to release grain stuck in Ukrainian ports due to Moscow's military campaign.
trading sanctions
Russia Bars Entry to 154 Members of U.K. House of Lords
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the decision was taken "on a reciprocal basis" after Britain sanctioned nearly all of its senators.
no entry
Moscow Bans Over 900 Prominent Americans From Russia
The list includes U.S. President Joe Biden, Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg and Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman.
symbolic move
Russia Labels Kasparov and Khodorkovsky ‘Foreign Agents’
The former chess champion and ex-tycoon are among the highest-profile Kremlin critics.
'technological sovereignty'
Putin Says Russia Must Cut Dependence on Foreign Technology
Cyberattacks coming from different countries are "clearly coordinated," Putin said.
close to home
U.K. Sanctions Putin Circle Including Alleged Girlfriend
Britain says it has now sanctioned more than 1,000 individuals and 100 Russian entities since Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine.
blocked transit
Ukraine Says Russia Halts Gas Supplies at Key Transit Point
The move fuels fears that the Kremlin's invasion could see gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine cut off.
domestic youtube
Cyberattack Knocks Out Russian Video Platform Rutube
The site has been offline since Monday morning, ahead of Russia's annual Victory Day parade on Red Square in Moscow.
forced resettlement
Ukrainians Being Taken ‘Against Their Will’ Into Russia – Pentagon
Ukraine says more than 1.19 million, including at least 200,000 children, have been sent to Russian territory.
change in plans
Russia To Stay in Southern Ukraine ‘Forever’ – Senior Lawmaker
Putin said Russia did not intend to occupy Ukrainian territory when launching his military operation on Feb. 24.
inflammatory words
Putin Apologized for Russia Hitler Claims – Israel PM’s Office
Moscow's top diplomat, Sergei Lavrov, claimed Adolf Hitler may have had "Jewish blood," sparking outrage in the Jewish state.
no simple answer
Western Arms to Ukraine Preventing ‘Quick’ End to Conflict: Kremlin
The Kremlin also responded to a New York Times report that U.S. intelligence helped Ukraine kill a number of Russian generals.
string of fires
One Hurt After Fire Breaks Out at Russian Military Site
The fire is the latest in a string of incidents on Russian soil near the Ukrainian border.
hostage property
Russia Says Could Seize Assets of ‘Hostile’ Countries
The remarks follow U.S. President Biden proposing selling off oligarchs' seized assets to "remedy the harm Russia caused" in Ukraine.
easing off
Russian Central Bank Slashes Key Interest Rate Again
The Bank of Russia said it was slashing the rate from 17% to 14% from next week, a greater cut than predicted by many analysts.
press casualty
Radio Liberty Producer Killed in Kyiv During UN Visit
Vera Gyrych died as a result of a Russian missile hitting the house where she lived in Kyiv, RFE/RL's Ukrainian branch said.
fueling growth
Gazprom Profits Soar on High Energy Prices
Global energy prices have soared as economies emerged from Covid lockdowns and have risen further since Russia's military operation in Ukraine.
'acts of terrorism'
Russia Says ‘Alarmed’ by Tensions in Breakaway Transnistria
Kyiv has accused Russia of wanting to destabilize Moldova's separatist region to create a pretext for a military intervention.
thinly veiled threat
Putin Warns of ‘Lightning Response’ to Intervention in Ukraine
"We have all the tools for this, that no one else can boast of having. We won't boast about it: we'll use them, if needed," Putin said.
heightened state
Transnistria Rebels Say Drones Seen, Shots Fired Near Russia Arms Depot
The announcement comes amid fears of a spillover from the war in Ukraine into the Moscow-backed separatist region of Moldova.
explicit aims
Russia To Seek Full Control of Donbas, Southern Ukraine – Russian General
"Control over the south of Ukraine is another way out to Transnistria, where there are cases of Russian-speaking people being oppressed."
new icbm
Sarmat Missile Will Make Russia Foes ‘Think Twice' – Putin
The Russian army said it successfully test-launched the next-generation missile capable of carrying nuclear charges.
persona non grata
Russia Retaliates Against Europe With Mass Expulsions
The move follows similar measures taken against Moscow's foreign envoys over the Kremlin's military operation in Ukraine.
besieged city
Russia Says Opening Corridor for Ukrainian Troops in Mariupol
Moscow urged Kyiv authorities to put pressure on the military "to stop the senseless resistance."
captive tycoon
Ukraine Shows Video of Detained Putin Ally Calling For Mariupol Swap
Viktor Medvedchuk can be seen asking Putin and Zelensky to exchange him for "Ukrainian defenders and residents of Mariupol."
'why only now?'
Russian Journalists, Political Scientist Declared ‘Foreign Agents’
The growing list of "foreign agents" now includes YouTuber Yuri Dud, political scientist Yekaterina Schulmann and cartoonist Sergei Yelkin.
closer to the brink
Russia ‘Would Deploy Nuclear Arms’ Near Finland, Sweden if Join NATO
"The balance has to be restored," former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev warned.
dismissed charge
Kremlin Says Biden 'Genocide' Claims 'Unacceptable'
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added that the U.S. "has committed well-known deeds in modern and recent history."
white flag
Over 1,000 Ukrainian Soldiers Surrender in Mariupol: Russia
The strategic port city in eastern Ukraine has been besieged by Moscow's troops for over a month.
return to custody
Zelensky Offers to Swap Pro-Putin Tycoon for Captured Ukrainians
Viktor Medvedchuk, one of the richest people in Ukraine, escaped from house arrest following Russia's invasion.
small window
Austria’s Nehammer ‘Pessimistic’ Over Putin’s ‘War Logic’
Nehammer described the conversation as "direct, open and hard."
ostracized dissenters
Russian Speaker Proposes Stripping ‘Traitors’ of Citizenship
The statements illustrate the increasingly hostile climate in Russia for anyone opposing the military offensive in Ukraine.
controversial move
Teenage Russian Karter Sacked Over 'Nazi' Salute
Artem Severiukhin said he had been misunderstood.
reclaimed property
Warsaw Seizes Abandoned Russian ‘Spy Nest’ for Ukraine
The building in Poland's capital was once used by Soviet diplomats, followed by the Russian embassy, but is no longer in use.
Final stand
Ukrainian Forces Ready for ‘Last Battle’ in Mariupol
"It's death for some of us, and captivity for the rest."
rights watchdogs
Moscow Shutting Down Amnesty, Human Rights Watch in Russia
The Justice Ministry said the groups will be closed down due to "violations of the current legislation of the Russian Federation."
info crackdown
Russia Accuses Google of 'Fake News,' Bans Ads
Russia has already limited access to Google News app and website and accused Google of being "anti-Russian."
family targeted
U.S. Slaps Sanctions on Putin's Daughters, Russia's Biggest Banks
In its announcement, The White House said family members were known to hide the Russian president's wealth.
downed aircraft
Russia Says Prevented Ukraine Officers Fleeing Mariupol By Air
The Defense Ministry said it shot down helicopters trying to evacuate the leaders of a nationalist battalion defending the embattled port.
'provocation' claim
Russia’s Lavrov Says Bucha Claims Aim to ‘Torpedo’ Ukraine Talks
The top diplomat added that Moscow was "ready" to continue the talks with Kyiv.
direct address
U.K.'s Johnson Releases Video Address to Russian People
"The Russian people deserve the truth, you deserve the facts," Johnson said, speaking in Russian.
shortage fears
Putin Says Russia Will 'Monitor' Food Exports to 'Hostile' Countries
Together, Russia and Ukraine account for more than a quarter of the world's annual wheat sales.
mounting evidence
Satellite Images Show Bodies in Bucha for Weeks, Rebutting Moscow Claim
Moscow has claimed that the bodies appeared after Russian forces retreated from the devastated Ukrainian town.
'double-edged sword'
Putin Condemns European ‘Pressure’ on Gazprom, Warns of Reprisals
The comments come after Germany said it was temporarily taking control of Gazprom's German subsidiary.
dismissed evidence
Moscow Accuses Ukraine of 'Staging' New Footage of Dead Civilians
Russia alleges that the new video in the settlement of Moshchun was designed to be distributed through Western media.
regrouping forces
Two-Thirds of Russian Troops Have Left Kyiv – Pentagon
A senior Pentagon official said they have mostly been sent back to Belarus with plans to redeploy elsewhere in Ukraine.
lingering rules
Russia Scraps Covid Flight Restrictions for 'Friendly' Countries
The countries include Argentina, India, China and South Africa.
on the ground
Zelensky Calls Killings in Bucha 'Genocide'
The Ukrainian president visited the town where bodies were discovered strewn throughout the town after it was reclaimed by Kyiv's army.
rare partner
Putin Hails Orban on Vote Win, Hopes to Build 'Partnership'
The nationalist Hungarian prime minister has been one of Putin's only allies in Europe and in NATO.
words not minced
Zelensky Says Russian Forces Committing 'Genocide'
The Ukrainian president spoke to CBS News a day after the discovery of mass graves and apparently executed civilians near Kyiv.
shocking images
Ukraine Says Killing of Civilians in Bucha a 'Deliberate Massacre'
In Bucha, the bodies of nearly 300 civilians were found in mass graves after Russian troops withdrew, local officials said.
civilian killings
Mass Grave of 57 Bodies in Bucha – Ukrainian Official
Ukraine has accused Russian forces of a "deliberate massacre" in Bucha.
held in captivity
Ukraine Says Russian Forces Have 'Abducted' 11 Mayors
Deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk urged "everyone to do everything in their power to get them back."
curbed enthusiasm
Russian Negotiator Says Too Early for Top Meeting on Ukraine
He said he did not share the "optimism" of Ukraine's negotiators on the possibility of talks between Putin and Zelensky.
resistance clampdown
More Than 200 Detained in Ukraine Protests Across Russia
A national sit-in against what Moscow calls its "military operation" in Ukraine was announced by activists in around 30 Russian cities.
investigation opened
Ukrainian Journalist Killed Near Kyiv
Maks Levin is at least the sixth journalist killed in Ukraine since Russia invaded.
honorary citizen
Russia Offers to Educate Depardieu on Ukraine
The controversial French film star criticized Putin for "crazy, unacceptable excesses."
take it to the bank
Putin Warns EU Nations Need Ruble Accounts to Get Gas
He threatened "existing contracts being stopped" if payments are not made.
dismissed intelligence
Kremlin Denies U.S., U.K. Claims That Putin 'Misled' Over Ukraine
Putin's spokesman said the State Department and Pentagon have no "real information about what is happening in the Kremlin."
inner circle
U.S., U.K. Say Fearful Advisers Mislead Putin on Ukraine War
There is "persistent tension between Putin and the MOD (Ministry of Defense)," an official said.
scaling back
Russians Start to Withdraw from Chernobyl: U.S.
Troops seized control of the Chernobyl site – where radioactive waste is still stored – on Feb. 24, the first day of the invasion.
'age-old dream'
South Ossetia Leader Wants Public Debate on Joining Russia
The breakaway region is internationally recognized as part of Georgia but hosts Russian military bases.
territorial integrity
Tatars Demand Return of Crimea in Ukraine-Russia Talks
Human rights organizations have accused Russia of political repression against the Crimean Tatar community.
exchange rate
Russia Will Gradually Transfer Gas Payments to Rubles: Kremlin
Moscow said it will now only accept payments from "unfriendly countries," including the EU, in its national currency.
eastward turn
Russian FM Hails China as Part of Emerging 'Just World Order'
Lavrov is making his first to the key ally since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine last month.
sieged city
Mariupol Maternity Hospital Forcibly Evacuated to Russia: City
More than 20,000 Mariupol residents have been taken "against their will" to Russia overall, the city claims.
humanitarian crisis
France Says Mariupol Humanitarian Mission Not Possible 'At This Stage'
Putin told Macron that Ukrainian "nationalists" in Mariupol would have to "lay down their arms" before Russian forces allow any emergency humanitarian...
coordinated action
EU Countries Expel Dozens of Russian Diplomats
The Russian diplomats are suspected of spying.
dismissed report
Kremlin Denies Abramovich Poisoned, Confirms Role in Talks
"This is part of information sabotage," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said of the poisoning reports.
port under assault
Russian Strike Hits Government Building in Mykolaiv
The regional governor said several civilians and soldiers were unaccounted for.
way out
Ukraine Resumes Evacuations After Russian 'Provocations'
Ukrainian authorities had earlier claimed that Russian troops were planning attacks on humanitarian routes.
call for peace
Russian, Ukrainian Negotiators Begin Talks in Istanbul
"The whole world is waiting for good news from you," Turkey's Erdogan told the delegations.
on the ground
Chechen Leader Travels to Mariupol: Reports
About 160,000 people remain encircled by Russian forces in Mariupol with little access to food or water, Ukraine says.