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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.

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.

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.

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."

'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.

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."

Kremlin Says Kosovo Serbs' Rights 'Must Be Respected'

Clashes this week over local election results left more than 80 people injured.

'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.

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.

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...

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."

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.

'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.

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.

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.

'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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

multiple injured

Russia Targets Ukraine's Dnipro With Drones, Missiles

Officials said the scale of the attack was unprecedented.

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...

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.

Russia Defends Finnish Embassy Bank Account Freeze

"We cannot and will not leave unfriendly actions unanswered," the Kremlin said.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

'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."

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.

Russia Says Two Military Commanders Killed in East Ukraine

The commanders were killed while repelling Ukrainian attacks around Bakhmut, according to the Defense Ministry.

Drinks Group Pernod Ricard Announces Russia Pullout

The French drinks giant had faced public pressure over its continued business activities in Russia.

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.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

return to Krolewiec

Poland Changes Kaliningrad's Official Name in Move Against 'Russification'

The Kremlin called the move a "hostile action."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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...

'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.

Russia Opts Out of Central Asian Football Championship

The Russian football team has been shorn of international competition due to the invasion of Ukraine.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

'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.

Wagner Boss Says Forces Won't Take Any More Prisoners in Ukraine

"We will kill everyone on the battlefield," Yevgeny Prigozhin said.

Moscow Expels ‘More Than 20’ German Diplomats

Moscow accused Berlin of "continuing to demonstratively destroy the entire range of Russia-Germany relations."

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...

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.

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.

Ukraine Receives First Batch of Patriot Missile System

Kyiv has said the system will "significantly" strengthen its ability to protect itself against Russian strikes.

Absolut Vodka Halts Exports to Russia

The decision came after the Swedish company faced public backlash for resuming shipments to Russia.

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.

Russia's Largest Trade Union Calls Off Labor Day Demonstrations

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions based its decision on heightened terrorist threats.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

suggesting gains

Moscow-Backed Official Claims Visit to Frontline City Bakhmut

The battle for Bakhmut is the longest and bloodiest of Russia's offensive.

'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.

'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."

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.

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.

'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.

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.

'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.

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."

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...

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.