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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.

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."