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Putin Says Talk of Succession 'Destabilizes' Russia

"The situation must be safe and stable in order for power structures and state structures to work in a confident manner," Vladimir Putin said.

immunity waiver

Russia Seeks to Prosecute U.S. Diplomats for Stealing Backpack

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that if their request was denied, the diplomats should "immediately" leave Russia.

mounting penalties

Russia Threatens Facebook with Massive Fine

The fine calls for a total of "5 to 10 percent" of Facebook's "annual revenue" for repeatedly ignoring requests to remove banned content.

Russia Develops Tech for Monitoring 'Deviant' Behavior

The tech is said to "quickly track the spread of destructive subcultures among young people," preventing them from harming themselves and others.

gas-in procedure

Nord Stream 2 Operator Begins Filling Controversial Pipeline

With gas prices skyrocketing in Europe, the International Energy Agency has urged Russia to open the taps on the newly completed pipeline.

Get Sputnik Jab, Putin Tells Erdogan

The Russian president boasted of high antibody levels as he hosted the Turkish leader for talks.

Navalny Accuses Google, Apple of Becoming Putin's 'Accomplices'

Both tech companies took down his voting app during Russia’s parliamentary election last week.

bubbling dispute

France, Russia in Talks on Halting Champagne Label Law

Russia banned the use of the Russian translation of champagne on imported bottles, sparking outrage in France's Champagne region.

'private conversation'

Top U.S., Russian Generals Meet in Helsinki

The meeting comes amid Washington's hopes for support to continue surveillance of extremists in Afghanistan.

Russian Opposition Politician Loses Vote Marred by Doppelgangers

Boris Vishnevsky made headlines after he claimed that two other candidates had changed their names and appearance to match his.

'Neutralized' threat

Russia Says 2 Militants Killed in Anti-Terror Raid

The militants were killed when they opened fire after being told to surrender, Russian counter-terror forces said.

where there's smoke

Astronauts Smell Smoke, Burning on Russia's ISS Module

The incident is the latest in a string of problems to spur safety concerns over conditions on the Russian segment.

Putin Says U.S. Presence in Afghanistan Ended in 'Tragedies'

Putin said the U.S. army tried to "engrain their norms" in Afghanistan for two decades, which he characterized as a futile exercise.

show of solidarity

Ukraine Marches With NATO Allies on 30th Independence Anniversary

Most of the marching Ukrainian soldiers had fought against pro-Russia separatists in an ongoing conflict in the eastern Donbass region.

lack of structure

Moscow-Led Bloc 'Concerned' Taliban Yet to Form Govt

Moscow is concerned about instability in Afghanistan spilling over to neighboring ex-Soviet states in Central Asia where it houses military bases.

Putin Warns of Influx of Afghan Militants Disguised as Refugees

"Who is among these refugees? How can we know?"

ready for liftoff

Russian Rocket Launches 34 New UK Satellites

It was the fifth launch this year for British operator Oneweb, which aims to provide broadband internet everywhere in the world.

Letter from prison

Jailed Navalny Calls on West to 'Take Action' on Global Corruption

"No money, no soldiers" are needed to implement these measures, he said, "only political will."

election pressure

Russia Brands Independent Monitor 'Foreign Agent' Ahead of Election

The decision is likely to hamper the monitor's work during the Sept. 19 vote.

Failure to comply

Russia Fines Google Again for Not Removing Banned Content

The fine is the latest in a series of escalating penalties against the U.S. tech giant.

early evaluation

Russia Hails 'Positive Signal' From Taliban

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised the Taliban for supporting "inclusive" political dialogue.

Russia Reports Record Virus Deaths Second Day in a Row

Russia, the fourth worst-hit country in the world in terms of cases, has since June been hit by a wave of infections driven by the Delta variant.

mounting pressure

Navalny Allies Face Fresh Criminal Charges

Both Leonid Volkov and Ivan Zhdanov now live outside Russia to avoid criminal prosecution on other charges.

back in business

Russian Tourists Fly in to Egypt's Red Sea Resorts After 6-Year Ban

Moscow had barred direct flights to Egypt after the 2015 bombing of a Russian airliner shortly after takeoff from a Red Sea resort.

opposition crackdown

Belarus Protest Leader Kolesnikova Goes on Trial

Maria Kolesnikova, who has become a symbol of the protest movement in Belarus, faces up to 12 years in prison.

IOC to Probe Belarus Officials Over Athlete's Forced Flight

Kristina Tsimanouskaya is expected to stay at the Polish embassy in Tokyo until her departure to Warsaw.

home confinement

Russia Extends Navalny Spokeswoman's House Arrest

Kira Yarmysh has been under house arrest since February on accusations of breaching Covid-19 restrictions at a protest in Navalny's support.

fear of prosecution

Russian Legal Group With Navalny Link Disbands

Team 29 is an association of lawyers and journalists fighting for freedom of speech in Russia and worked on high-profile espionage and treason cases.

U.S. Software Firm Moves to Restart After Huge Ransomware Attack Linked to Russia-Based Group

The White House reiterated the warning President Joe Biden gave to his counterpart Vladimir Putin about Russia harboring cybercriminals.

the show must go on

St. Petersburg Euro 2020 Quarter-Final to Go Ahead Despite Covid Surge – Organizers

The city has seen a surging outbreak due to the highly transmissible Delta variant first identified in India.

home confinement

Jailed Belarus Activist, Girlfriend Moved to House Arrest

Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskya described the move as "good news" but said the pair is "still being held hostage."

Finnish Football Fans Bring Virus Back From Russia

Thousands of Finnish fans traveled to Russia to support their team in the Euro 2020 championships.

Russian Military Helicopter Crash Kills 3

The Mi-8, which belonged to the Russian National Guard, went down "following an air incident" on a training flight.

'hostile actions'

Belarus Denounces 'Destructive' New Western Sanctions

The sanctions followed global outrage over the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk to arrest a regime critic.

unprecedented spread

Moscow Records Pandemic High for Covid Cases Second Day Running

The new cases are being driven by the highly infectious Delta variant first identified in India and have threatened to overwhelm Moscow's hospitals.

4 Dead After Plane Carrying Parachutists Crashes in Siberia

Local prosecutors said that the failure of one of the plane's engines caused the crash.

in the deep end

Heavy Rains in Crimea Trigger Floods, State of Emergency

Images on social media showed water rushing through Yalta's streets, sweeping aside cars and reaching up to the second story of buildings.

resumed postings

U.S., Russia Agree to Return Ambassadors – Putin

Diplomatic relations between Moscow and Washington had all but broken down since Biden took office.

politicized flyover

Belarus Flight Ban 'Not in Airlines' Interests' – Ryanair

Belarus sparked global outrage and a ban on its airspace when it diverted a Ryanair flight and detained an opposition campaigner and his girlfriend.

'One Cold Dude': U.S. Presidents on Putin

How U.S. leaders saw the Russian leader over the past 20 years, from the Bush bromance to the Obama chill to Trump's open admiration.

Russia Preparing to Give Iran Advanced Satellite System – Report

The report could add to a long list of grievances in Washington ahead of a summit between presidents Biden and Putin.

politics of memory

Kremlin 'Persecutes' Historians to Toe Soviet-Era Line – NGO

"The scale of persecution of history producers in Russia has already reached the threshold of 'crimes against history'," the report said.

last-minute reversal

UEFA Demands Ukraine Make Changes to 'Political' Jersey

The kits sparked outrage from Moscow over their inclusion of Moscow-annexed Crimea and popular patriotic chants.

Russian Serviceman Killed, 3 Injured in Syria Blast

The soldiers had been on patrol in northern Syria when an improvised explosive device exploded near their vehicle.

Azerbaijan Organizers Ban Russian Journalist from Euro 2020

Nobel Arustamyan, who has Armenian ancestry, was banned over his visits to the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Ventilator Suspected as Fire Kills 3 at Russian Hospital

Local authorities blamed the fire, which broke out in a ward reserved for coronavirus patients, on a faulty ventilator.

disputed uniform

Russia Complains to UEFA Over Ukraine's 'Political' Euro 2020 Kit

The kits show the outline of Ukraine including annexed Crimea and feature the words "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!"

rights recognition

Navalny Dedicates Award to All Political Prisoners in Russia, Belarus

"He wrote that most of them are in a much worse situation compared to me, because they're not as well known or famous," his daughter Daria said.

political playing field

Ukraine, Western Allies Defend Crimea on Euro 2020 Kit

Kiev provoked Moscow's ire with its Euro 2020 kits that show the outline of Ukraine including annexed Crimea.

think global, act local

Russia Moves to Force Tech Giants to Set Up Local Offices

Russia has stepped up efforts to impose more control on online platforms including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

'national interests'

U.S. Waives Sanctions on Nord Stream 2, Builder of Russia-Germany Pipeline

The move was strongly criticized by Republican senator Jim Lisch, who called the waiver "a gift to Putin."

energetic partnership

Putin, Xi Hail Ties at Launch of Work on Nuclear Plants in China

"We can say that Russian-Chinese relations have reached the highest level in history," Putin said.

journalists targeted

Belarus Raids Main Independent News Site

The raids come amid a widening crackdown in Belarus after the country's historic opposition movement last year.

Off the friends list

Russia Lists U.S., Czech Republic as 'Unfriendly States'

The Czech embassy will be allowed to employ no more than 19 Russian nationals and the U.S. embassy none at all.

call to dialogue

Putin, UN Urge Israel, Palestinians to Halt Fighting

The Russian president and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed support for a two-state solution to guarantee peace.

Novichok Attack

British Police Officer in Novichok Attack Sues Force

The former police officer was the first person to enter the pair's home in Salisbury.

dismissed accusation

Ukraine's Pro-Kremlin MP Blasts Treason Probe

Viktor Medvedchuk, seen as Russian President Vladimir Putin's top ally in Kiev, called the investigation a a "political reprisal."

end to violence

Putin Calls for De-Escalation in Israel-Palestinian Clashes

Putin "called on the parties to de-escalate tensions and peacefully resolve the emerging issues" in a call with Turkey's Erdogan.

'huge and unexpected loss'

Russians Mark Day of Mourning After School Shooting

Nine people, mostly children, were killed in one of the country's worst shooting incidents in recent history.

Russia to Debate Bill Banning Navalny Supporters from Polls – Lawmaker

The legislation could affect both Navalny-linked activists and the tens of thousands of Russians who supported his groups with donations.

'baseless fabrications'

Moscow Rejects U.S. Ransomware Attack Claims

U.S. President Biden said there were indications the ransomware in the cyber attack on the U.S. fuel pipeline was "in Russia."

pointed message

Putin on WWII Victory Day Says Russia Will 'Firmly' Defend Its Interests

"Russia consistently defends international law. At the same time, we will firmly defend our national interests," Putin said in a speech on Red Square.

Belarus Opposition Leader Calls on U.S. to Isolate Lukashenko

The Belarusian strongman claimed victory last August in elections that were criticized internationally and by the opposition as fraudulent.

mysterious die-off

Some 170 Endangered Seals Found Dead on Russia's Caspian Coast

Authorities previously reported the death of nearly 300 endangered seals on Dagestan's Caspian shore in December.

accessible to all

Putin Backs Russia Waiving Patents on Its Covid Jabs

"We should not think about how to extract maximum profit, but about how to ensure people's safety," Putin said.

shortened cycle

Russia Registers One-Dose Sputnik Light Coronavirus Jab

Sputnik Light "demonstrated 79.4% efficacy" compared to 91.6% for the two-shot Sputnik V, its developers claim.

verification needed

C.Africa to Probe Claims of Abuse By Troops, Russian Forces

UN experts have sounded the alarm over alleged "major rights violations" by Russian forces sent to shore up the CAR's beleaguered armed forces.

studying the blade

Russian Special Envoy Steven Seagal Gifts Sword to Venezuela's Maduro

The hero of 80s and 90s hits including "Hard to Kill" and "Under Siege" shared his love of martial arts with Venezuela's embattled leader.

EU Summons Russian Ambassador Over Retaliatory Sanctions

Russia barred entry to eight EU officials in response to its sanctions over abuses including the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Stalin Eyes Power in Indian State Election

Born just days before his namesake died in 1953, the Indian Stalin has admitted his name had caused some awkward moments in Russia.

persona non grata

Bulgaria Says it Will Expel Russian Diplomat

Bulgarian prosecutors on Wednesday said they had established links between six Russians and several past arms depot explosions.

Russia Expels 7 EU Diplomats Over 'Solidarity' With Czechs

Slovakia and the Baltic states had expelled Russian diplomats after Prague accused Moscow of being behind a deadly 2014 arms depot blast.

Ukraine Expels Russian Diplomat in Tit-for-Tat Move

The move adds to a recent wave of diplomatic expulsions that have embroiled Russian and European embassies.

'alarming' situation

Pandemic Reverses Years of Rising Life Expectancy in Russia

Life expectancy in Russia fell for the first time in nearly 20 years in 2020, the Health Ministry's figures indicated.

anti-corruption efforts

UK Announces Global Magnitsky Sanctions

London's move closely mirrors similar restrictions in Washington and also by the Canadian government.

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.