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Germany Seeking to Buy 30Mln Sputnik Doses from Russia – State Premier

Berlin is negotiating to purchase the doses as soon as Sputnik V receives European Medicines Agency (EMA) approval.

Ex-Wife in Russian Billionaire's Bitter £450M Divorce Wins UK Court Case Against Son

Tatiana Akhmedova and Farkhad Akhmedov's divorce is known for being one of the world's costliest divorce battles.

persona non grata

Russia Expels 2 Bulgarian Diplomats in Tit-for-Tat Move

The move comes as a host of European countries have accused Moscow of stepping up increasingly aggressive espionage tactics.

Russia Says to Launch Own Space Station in 2025

Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov recently said Moscow was considering leaving the ISS program from 2025 because of the station's age.

high concentration

EU Corrects Estimate of Russian Troops on Ukraine Border

The EU slashed its estimate of the numbers of Russian troops from 150,000 to more than 100,000.

a seat at the table

Putin Will Address International Climate Summit Via Video Link – Kremlin

Confirmation of Putin's participating in the U.S.-hosted summit comes amid a sharp deterioration in ties between Moscow and the West.

'unfriendly' move

Russia Says Expulsion of Diplomats from Prague 'Provocative'

"We categorically do not agree with these conclusions," the Kremlin said of Prague's expulsion of 18 Russian diplomats accused of spying.

Russia Repatriates 34 Orphans of IS Families From Syria

Moscow has now repatriated at least 169 such children.

world is watching

U.S. Warns of 'Consequences' if Putin Critic Navalny Dies

Moscow would be "held accountable by the international community" for what happens to Navalny, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.

CHECHNYA INVESTIGATION

Germany Probes Russian Over Plot to Murder Chechen Dissident

The suspect is alleged to have been told to bring the weapon and hitman to Germany, spy on the victim and be the driver for the assassination.

'time to de-escalate'

Kremlin Welcomes Biden Call for Dialogue, Criticizes Sanctions

The Kremlin said it was still considering the offer for a Putin-Biden summit the day after the U.S. announced a new round of Russia sanctions.

'chilling effect'

U.S.-Funded Radio Calls on European Court to Halt Russia Fines

RFE/FL, which Moscow designated a "foreign agent" several years ago, said it was facing fines of up to $33 million.

U.S. Cancels Black Sea Deployment of 2 Warships – Turkey

Last week's news of a U.S. deployment of warships came amid rising tensions between Moscow and Kiev due to a buildup of Russian troops.

'not an object'

Russia Outlaws Seizing Pets from People in Debt

The practice was occasionally used in the same way as the confiscation of furniture or real estate.

heightened scrutiny

Russia Says Sputnik V Vaccine Does Not Cause Blood Clots

Rare cases of blood clots among those who received the Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca jabs have disrupted rollouts in some countries.

delayed drawdown

Russia Says U.S. Troop Pullout from Afghanistan Risks 'Escalation'

The Foreign Ministry warned that Biden's new pullout deadline risks escalating the long-running conflict and derailing peace talks.

Navalny's Wife 'Worried' For Kremlin Critic After Prison Visit

Alexei Navalny said he will sue prison authorities for refusing to give him a Koran.

Moscow Takes Measures in Response to 'Threatening' NATO Actions

NATO on Tuesday told Moscow to end its "unjustified" buildup of troops along the border with Ukraine.

undermined ceasefire

2 Ukrainian Soldiers Killed in War-Torn Separatist East

The conflict has seen 28 Ukrainian soldiers killed since the start of the year compared to 50 in all of 2020.

pornography charges

Russian Feminist Activist Goes on Trial for 'Body-Positive' Drawings

Yulia Tsvetkova faces up to six years behind bars in a case that has prompted nationwide pickets and online flashmobs in her support.

Ukraine Rules Out Offensive Against Pro-Russia Separatists

The statement came after fighting between the Ukrainian army and separatists intensified and Russia massed troops on the border.

direct dialogue

Putin, Merkel 'Concerned' Over East Ukraine Tensions – Kremlin

Clashes in eastern Ukraine have increased in recent weeks and a Russian military buildup on the border heightened fears of an escalation.

worsening condition

Jailed Navalny Losing Sensation in Hands – Lawyer

The opposition figure is on a hunger strike to demand proper medical treatment for severe back pain and numbness in his legs.

Russia Issues Deadline to U.S.-Funded Radio Over Fines

The fines against RFE/RL have been described as "the heaviest fines ever imposed on a media outlet in Russia."

western alliance

Ukraine Urges NATO to Speed Up Membership in 'Signal' to Moscow

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that NATO membership for Ukraine would do no good in resolving the eastern Ukraine conflict.

volatile environment

Russia Warns Myanmar Sanctions Could Spark 'Full-Blown Civil Conflict'

Russia has sought to develop ties with the military junta in Myanmar since the country's Feb. 1 coup.

online clampdown

Russia Extends Twitter Slowdown, Deadline to Remove Content

Russia said Twitter started cooperating after the country's media watchdog threatened to block it over failing to delete banned content.

Russia Fines Twitter for Not Removing Calls to Protests

Twitter faces three fines totaling 8.9 million rubles ($116,700) as Moscow ramps up its pressure against the U.S. tech giant.

preventative measure

Armenian PM Self-Isolates Ahead of Putin Meeting

It is common for anybody meeting in person with 68-year-old Putin to isolate beforehand to protect him from Covid-19.

Russia Warns of Anti-White 'Aggression' in U.S.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned against "political correctness taken to the point of absurdity."

Russian 'Anti-Apple' Law Requiring Local Apps Takes Effect

Smartphones, tablets and computers sold in Russia must now come with pre-installed domestic software and apps.

heightened tensions

Top U.S. General Calls Russia, Ukraine Amid Reported Moscow Troop Buildup

Reports suggested that Russia had located more military forces along the Ukrainian border and also moved more into annexed Crimea.

Navalny Protester Sentenced to Jail for Attacking Police

Yevgeny Tugankov became the third Russian to receive a prison sentence over the nationwide protests demanding Navalny's freedom.

Reports of Major Abuses by Russian Mercenaries in C. Africa – UN Experts

The alleged abuses include mass summary executions, arbitrary detentions and torture.

seeking justice

Lithuanian Court Extends Sentence for Ex-Soviet Tank Officer

Yuri Mel's sentence has been extended to 10 years over his role in a deadly military assault on Lithuania's independence bid in January 1991.

Russia Stages Fresh Military Drills in the Arctic

Retired Russian admiral Viktor Kravchenko said the exercises were to send a "signal to our foreign friends — the Americans."

terms and conditions

Russia Says Hopes to Avoid Ban on Western Tech Giants

Russia earlier this month began disrupting Twitter services in Russia as it ramped up pressure on foreign social media platforms.

violence condemned

Russia 'Concerned' Over Myanmar Civilian Casualties

Russia's deputy defense minister attended Myanmar's military parade over the weekend amid its deadly crackdown on civilians.

splintered resistance

Belarus Police Detain Protesters, Prevent Opposition Rally

The opposition had called for a "second wave" of rallies after protests died down over the winter due to a heavy crackdown.

back 'from the dead'

Russia Hails Rare Sighting of Amur Leopard Mum With Cubs

Conservationists said the video footage showed that efforts to boost the population of the threatened species had borne fruit.

western criticism

France Slams Russia's Sputnik Vaccine as 'Propaganda' Tool

The Kremlin rejected that Russia and China were using their vaccines as tools to win geopolitical clout.

Belarus Opposition to Restart Protests as Crackdown Widens

Videos on social media and published by local media showed military vehicles moving into the center of Minsk in preparation.

'gross' violations

Canada Sanctions 9 Russian Officials Over Navalny Jailing

Canada's foreign minister said it would continue to push for the release of Navalny and supporters "who have been unlawfully detained."

return to normalcy

Armenia Lifts Martial Law Months After Karabakh War

The decision came as part of a deal to defuse a political crisis sparked by Armenia's crushing defeat in the six-week conflict.

blazes on the horizon

Russia Forecasters Warn Over Siberia Forest Fires

Hot and dry weather across the region will lead to more forest fires this year, forecasters said, linking the blazes to climate change.

missed opportunity

Russia Says Regrets U.S. 'Passed Up' Chance for Putin-Biden Talks

"One more opportunity has been passed up to look for a way out of the dead end in Russia-U.S. ties," the Foreign Ministry said.

unannounced searches

Russian Police Raid Khodorkovsky-Backed Media, Opposition Group

The raids have been linked to a continuing clampdown on opposition politicians and municipal councillors.

Putin Invites Biden to Virtual Talks

The invite comes after Biden described Putin as a "killer," remarks that sparked the biggest crisis in bilateral relations in years.

conservative blowback

Moscow to Probe 'Russian Woman' Eurovision Entry for 'Illegal' Lyrics

The song performed by Manizha praises the strength of Russian women, urging them to be more independent and to resist sexist views.

point of tension

G7 Says It Will Not Recognize Russia's 'Occupation' of Crimea

The group of leading nations called on Russia "to respect its international obligations" on the seventh anniversary of its annexation of Crimea.

atomic tensions

Kremlin Denounces UK Plan to Increase Nuclear Arsenal

The Kremlin said Britain's reversal of its previous commitment to reduce its stockpile "harms international stability."

new negotiations

What's at Stake When Moscow Hosts Afghan Peace Talks?

Analysts say the Moscow talks offer a chance for both the Taliban and the Afghan government to reassess their stances in the peace process.

Russian Freediver Claims New Record in Icy Lake Baikal Plunge

Alexei Molchanov plunged 80 meters below Lake Baikal's ice into water temperatures of 3 degrees Celsius.

threatened press

Russian Investigative Paper Novaya Gazeta Says Targeted in 'Chemical Attack'

The independent publication has suffered numerous attacks on its offices and journalists over the years.

european market

Russia Says Sputnik V Production Deals Reached in Key EU States

The EU's medical agency is currently deliberating official approval for the Russian jab.

organized crime

Russia Charges 3 Over Mobster's Murder in 2009

Vyacheslav Ivankov, alias Yaponchik or The Little Japanese, was one of the country's most notorious gangsters and drug traffickers.

energy expansion

Putin, Erdogan Launch New Phase of Turkish Nuclear Power Plant

Putin said he expected the project to "improve the Russian-Turkish partnership in all its facets."

vaccine diplomacy

Kremlin Calls U.S. Vaccine Disinformation Claims 'Absurd'

Washington said Russian intelligence was behind four websites involved in a campaign to undermine U.S.-made vaccines.

conflict flare-up

Ukraine Calls for Help to Calm Frontline 'Escalation'

Eight Ukrainian servicemen have been killed since mid-February in clashes that Kiev blames on Moscow and separatist leaders.

exiled dissenter

Belarus Demands Extradition of Opposition Leader Tikhanovskaya

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya sought refuge in EU member Lithuania during Belarus' crackdown on anti-government demonstrations.

looking forward

U.S. Investor Calvey Wants 'To Stay in Russia' After Trial

In a rare press statement, Calvey said he would like to "draw a line under" his trial and move on once it's over.

outside observer

UN Experts Urge Global Probe of Navalny Poisoning

The experts also demanded Navalny's "immediate release" from a Russian penal colony.

seeking partnerships

U.S., Russia Warships Dock in Strategic Sudan Port

Russia recently signed a 25-year agreement to build a naval base in Port Sudan, part of Moscow's latest geopolitical push into Africa.

nuclear negotiations

Putin, Biden Should Aim for More Arms Curbs – Gorbachev

"Experience shows that it is necessary to meet and negotiate," the last Soviet leader said.

grounded flight

Boeing 777 With Engine Trouble Makes Emergency Landing in Moscow

The emergency landing comes days after another model rained down engine debris over the United States.

2 Gay Chechens Held on Terror Charges Without Proof – NGO

The men had fled Chechnya last year but were arrested and returned this month, the LGBT Network says.

containment policy

Putin Accuses West of Wanting to 'Shackle' Russia

Putin called on the FSB to make the Western threat a priority in its work this year along with its primary task of countering terrorism.

Ukraine Takes Russia to Europe Rights Court Over 'Targeted Assassinations'

The case accuses Russia of carrying out "state-authorized" assassinations "outside a situation of armed conflict."

press crackdown

Belarus Court Sentences Journalists to 2 Years in Prison

The two journalists were sentenced for leading "group actions that grossly violate public order," charges they called "trumped-up."

Top Navalny Aide Urges EU to 'Go After' Putin's Money

Navalny's jailing was "part of our strategy," his top aide Leonid Volkov said.

Ukraine's Zelenskiy Bans 3 Pro-Russia TV Channels

The channels are linked to powerful Ukrainian MP Viktor Medvedchuk, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mexico Authorizes Russia's Sputnik V Virus Vaccine

The move is a boost to Mexico's efforts to keep its immunization program on track in the face of limited supplies.

Russia's Sputnik V Vaccine 91.6% Effective: Lancet Study

The results suggest Sputnik V is among the top-performing vaccines, along with the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna jabs.

'invaluable assistance'

Ukraine Separatists Roll Out Russia's Sputnik V Vaccine

The supply of Sputnik V to separatist authorities is Russia's latest show of support for the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk republics.

France Urges Germany to Scrap Russia Gas Pipeline Over Navalny

Several European countries have criticized the pipeline, saying it will increase German and EU dependence on Russia for critical gas supplies.

flexible ownership

Russian Billionaire Arkady Rotenberg Says He Owns 'Putin Palace'

Russian tycoon wanted to turn the property into an apartment hotel, his media service said Saturday.

Iran Expects First Batch of Russian Vaccine by Feb.4

Iranian health regulators have approved Russia's coronavirus vaccine earlier this week.

worsening condition

Protester Kicked by Russian Police Re-Hospitalized

Margarita Yudina's case has become emblematic of police brutality during the rallies in support of Alexei Navalny.

Putin Hails Extension of New START Treaty

Russian lawmakers unanimously voted to ratify the agreement to prolong New START in a rare moment of cooperation between Moscow and Washington.

no social distance

Bali Boots Russian Influencer for Party That Broke Virus Rules

Sergey Kosenko, who has nearly 5 million followers on Instagram, hosted a party with more than 50 people at a Bali hotel.

free speech debate

Russia Says Trump Ban a 'Nuclear Blast in Cyber Space'

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the social media ban "a blow against democratic values proclaimed by the West."

rights violations

Kiev Case vs. Moscow on Crimea 'Partly Admissible' – Europe Court

The European Court of Human Rights added that it was not ruling on whether the annexation of Crimea itself was illegal.

new year's address

Putin Urges Unity in 2021 as Second Wave Batters Russia

In his 17th New Year's address, Putin said he was convinced that together Russians could "overcome everything" and "restore normal life."

billed upon return

Putin Business Ally Vows to Pursue Libel Claim Against Navalny

Yevgeny Prigozhin's catering company is seeking $900,000 in damages after Navalny's foundation accused it of supplying sub-standard food to schools.

Opposition Leader

Russia Opens 'Fraud' Probe Against Navalny

Russian investigators on Tuesday opened a criminal probe into Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Moscow Expands List of German Officials Banned From Russia

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the expansion is a response to "destructive" EU sanctions imposed in October.

persona non grata

Russia Expels Bulgarian Diplomat in Tit-for-Tat Response

Bulgaria earlier this month expelled the Russian military attache after prosecutors opened a probe against him for spying on U.S. troops based in the country...

Russia Tops 3 Million Covid-19 Infections

Since winter began, each week has brought new records for new cases and deaths.

British Cold War Double Agent George Blake Dies in Moscow

During his time as a double agent, Blake passed some of the most coveted British secrets to the Soviets.

pre-election tensions

Russian Role in C.Africa Grows Ahead of Weekend Vote

Russia has sent arms and is an open supporter of incumbent President Faustin Archange Touadera who is on course to win a second term on Sunday.

seeking stability

Russia Sent '300 Military Instructors' to C.Africa – Ministry

Russia "promptly responded" to a request from CAR's government after an alleged attempted coup ahead of upcoming elections.

Russia Announces Travel Bans Against EU Officials Over Navalny

The EU previously sanctioned several Russian officials over the opposition figure's poisoning by Novichok.

Navalny Call With Suspected Agent a 'Provocation': FSB

Navalny said he tricked one of the FSB officers linked to his poisoning into outlining the details of the operation in a phone call.

Russia Says 'Not Sending Troops' to C.Africa

The CAR government said earlier Monday that Russia, along with Rwanda, had sent in hundreds of troops to the country.

historic breach

Russia Denies Role in U.S. Cyber Attacks

Russia has been widely blamed for the hack that reportedly affected U.S. government agencies including the Treasury.

political unrest

Kremlin Voices 'Serious Concern' Over C.Africa Crisis

Reports earlier Monday said that Russia had dispatched "hundreds" of troops to the impoverished country.

2 Russian Men Get Jail Sentences for Euro 2016 Attack

The men were given jail terms of three years and 10 years over the beating that left an English football fan with a brain injury.

breached defenses

U.S. Government Confirms Cyberattack After Reports of Russia-Linked Hacking

U.S. media reports said the FBI was investigating a group working for the Russian foreign intelligence service, SVR.

espionage accusation

Dutch Expel 2 Russian Diplomats for Spying – Intelligence Service

The Dutch intelligence service said the two Russians were part of a spy network targeting hi-tech industries.

clampdown on dissent

Russia's Expanded Foreign Agents Bill Passes First Reading

Any individual could be deemed a foreign agent if they receive material or monetary support from abroad under the changes.